Website Tips & Optimization Guides Archive | ShareThis Blog https://sharethis.com/website-tips/ Grow your audience with easy-to-use sharing tools. Thu, 27 Jul 2023 03:42:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 The Best Financial Blogs to Learn about Every Facet of Finance, Investing & More https://sharethis.com/website-tips/2023/07/best-financial-blogs/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 20:01:09 +0000 https://sharethis.com/?p=209422 Some of the best financial blogs are excellent resources for individuals and business owners alike to find information about saving, investing, getting out of debt, and more. Many financial blogs focus on a specific area of finance, such as young adult budgeting or money-related news.  There’s so much interest in the financial world that some […]

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Some of the best financial blogs are excellent resources for individuals and business owners alike to find information about saving, investing, getting out of debt, and more. Many financial blogs focus on a specific area of finance, such as young adult budgeting or money-related news. 

There’s so much interest in the financial world that some leading financial blogs generate six-figure incomes. We’ve rounded up some of the best of the best financial blogs to help you learn about every facet of finance, investing, and money management.

In this article:

What Can I Find on the Best Financial Blogs?

Because finance casts such a wide net of information, financial blogs can also span multiple topics, from general getting-out-of-debt guides to more complex coverage on stocks and dividends. If you’re thinking about starting and growing a finance blog of your own, you’ll find plenty of inspiration on this list.

The financial blogs in our guide offer plenty of information for anyone, whether you’re interested in learning more about the finance industry or just want some tips for improving your personal finance. Here are a few topics these blogs cover:

  • How-to guides for investing
  • Comparisons of credit cards and bank accounts
  • Strategies for paying off debt
  • What you should know about student loans
  • Building credit
  • Making money with side hustles

We’ve sorted the following best financial blogs in alphabetic order for your convenience. 

50 Best Financial Blogs

1. 20somethingfinance

@ge_miller

20somethingfinance

20somethingfinance targets 20-somethings as they navigate the somewhat blurry financial period between first becoming an adult and building a strong financial future. This blog was originally written by owner G.E. Miller when they were in their 20s. Although they have outgrown that stage of their life, Miller continues to provide helpful information for younger folks from an older perspective. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

2. A Wealth of Common Sense

@awealthofcs

A Wealth of Common Sense

Owner Ben Carlson is a chartered financial analyst (CFA) who brings his knowledge to the masses through A Wealth of Common Sense. This blog features information that can apply to many readers, whether they own a home, dabble in the stock market, or need help paying off debt. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

3. BiggerPockets Blog

@biggerpockets

BiggerPockets Blog

The BiggerPockets Blog explores real estate finance through posts on flipping houses, investing in real estate, house market trends, and managing rental properties. A mix of regular contributors keep this blog fresh daily.

3 posts we enjoyed:

4. Blog Maverick

@mcuban

Blog Maverick

This blog comes from Mark Cuban, who is known as one of the best business investors of all time. Blog Maverick naturally offers financial advice from Cuban himself, like investing in crypto, opinion pieces on infrastructure spending, and what companies are doing right or wrong.

3 posts we enjoyed:

5. Bloomberg

@Bloomberg

Bloomberg

Bloomberg is a website for true finance fanatics. Here, you can find the latest financial news, real-time information about the stock market, investment opportunity guides, things to know about the economy, financial technology news, and more. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

6. Business Insider

@businessinsider

Business Insider

Business Insider is a popular blog covering multiple financial areas, including markets, credit cards, personal finance, and the economy. Follow along with the stock market in real-time on the website as you browse guides, interviews, and news.

3 posts we enjoyed:

7. ChooseFi

@choosefi

ChooseFi

ChooseFi is a finance-focused website with a financial podcast and lots of resources for visitors. The blog breaks down posts into topics like financial independence, credit, and taxes, with some posts even targeted toward teaching kids about money.

3 posts we enjoyed:

8. Cointelegraph

@cointelegraph

Cointelegraph

Anyone interested in learning or keeping up-to-date with Bitcoin and other forms of cryptocurrency should bookmark Cointelegraph. This site releases daily news and articles of interest to crypto investors, as well as exclusive interviews with experts.

3 posts we enjoyed:

9. Credit.org

@CreditDotOrg

Credit.org

Credit.org helps consumers manage and build credit through educational articles, financial tools, and classes. Its blog is highly relatable for many, with information on everything from the basics of managing money to the types of loans to consider applying for based on various financial situations.

3 posts we enjoyed:

10. Discover’s Modern Money Blog

@discover

Discover’s Modern Money Blog

Banking and credit card company Discover provides easy-to-follow financial posts for people in all stages of life, whether just starting out on their adult financial journey or navigating the waters of budgeting for a family. Most blog posts are concise and clear, offering a few tips for people to improve their financial situations.

3 posts we enjoyed:

11. DollarSprout

DollarSprout

DollarSprout teaches readers how to boost their financial status with passive income opportunities, side hustles, businesses, or finding the right jobs. Its comparisons of credit cards, budgeting apps, and other financial products and tools can help steer readers to the right option for their financial situation.

3 posts we enjoyed:

12. DoughRoller

@doughroller

DoughRoller

DoughRoller provides comparisons and reviews of financial products to help you find those that meet your needs. You’ll also find actionable tips to invest and save your money. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

13. FinanceBuzz

@financebuzz

FinanceBuzz

FinanceBuzz focuses on personal finance guides on investing, finding insurance, making money, managing money, and locating the right credit cards, bank accounts, and loans for your financial needs. Consider signing up for the email newsletter for more tips sent straight to your inbox.

3 posts we enjoyed:

14. Financial Mentor

@financialmentor

Financial Mentor

Financial Mentor is a website for people who want to learn more about investing, managing their wealth, and becoming financially free. Its blog offers resources on building wealth, early retirement, life insurance, risk management, and more. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

15. Financial Times

@FinancialTimes

Financial Times

Visit Financial Times when you need your fill of financial news around the world. This blog posts numerous new articles each day covering markets, business finance, and the economy. Note: Many posts are only available by subscription, which you can trial for $1 for your first four weeks.

3 posts we enjoyed:

16. First Quarter Finance

First Quarter Finance

First Quarter Finance is a blog the average person can relate to, whether they want to compare credit cards or figure out their next step in their career to begin earning more money. The site prioritizes accurate sourcing and content to help readers feel more confident in its financial advice. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

17. Forbes Advisor

@ForbesAdvisor

Forbes Advisor

Forbes Advisor is a sub-site of Forbes focusing on all things finances, from mortgage advice to car insurance comparisons. The site breaks down its posts into categories to help you find what you need, like student loans, personal loans, business finances, and investing. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

18. Get Out of Debt Guy

@getoutofdebtguy

Get Out of Debt Guy

Steve Rhode is the Get Out of Debt Guy behind the website of the same name. Although Rhode’s main focuses are his podcast and books, he also offers sound financial advice and tips on his website. Rhode digs deep into financial scams, too, to help readers learn how to spot them.

3 posts we enjoyed:

19. Good Financial Cents 

@jjeffrose

Good Financial Cents 

The owner of Good Financial Cents, Jeff Rose, is a certified financial planner who writes about making, managing, and investing money. On this blog, you’ll find plenty of information about identity theft, future planning, protecting assets, and more. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

20. Intuit MintLife

@mint

Intuit MintLife

Intuit is well known for its tax and financial products, but its blog is just as helpful for everyday people who want simple financial resources. The MintLife blog includes articles, links to helpful videos and social media posts, and calculators for managing everything from grocery budgets to savings.

3 posts we enjoyed:

21. Investopedia

@investopedia

Investopedia

Keep yourself updated on the latest financial news with Investopedia, which releases multiple news posts each day. The site is also an excellent resource for financial articles on investing, personal finance, financial product reviews, and the economy. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

22. Investor Junkie

@InvestorJunkie

Investor Junkie

InvestorJunkie’s financial guides and articles run the gamut of financial topics, including real estate and Forex investing. Some of its best articles lie in the review space, helping readers decide between different online stock brokers, tax products, and money-making apps. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

23. I Will Teach You to Be Rich

@ramit

I Will Teach You to Be Rich

I Will Teach You to Be Rich is a blog from Ramit Sethi, a popular financial guru who writes, podcasts, teaches, and presents information in the finance world. This blog mostly highlights improving work life to boost finances, such as learning to ask for a raise and when to walk away from a job to look for something better. However, it also offers information about starting and growing businesses, finding work, managing assets, and more. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

24. Just Start Investing

@JustStartInvest

Just Start Investing

Just Start Investing is a personal finance blog with news, tips, and guides for people seeking ways to manage and grow their finances. Visitors can also check the Resources tab to check out credit cards, financial planning resources, reading lists, and more. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

25. MarketWatch

@marketwatch

MarketWatch releases daily stock market news and fills in its blog with other finance-related articles. Although many articles are available for free, subscribers get exclusive content and unlimited access to watchlists and other tools and resources.  

3 posts we enjoyed:

26. Millennial Money

@millennialmoney

Millennial Money

Millennial Money was started to guide Millennials toward financial freedom, but the blog continues to produce content that all generations can relate to, from borrowing money to saving money for retirement and leisure. Visitors can choose their financial goal, like investing money or paying off debt, to curate the articles that make the most sense for them.

3 posts we enjoyed:

27. Money Crashers

@MoneyCrashers

Money Crashers

Money Crashers has been on the web for several years and continues to be one of the most visited sites for finance enthusiasts. This blog is one of the best to visit to find specific credit cards and checking or savings account that meet specific financial goals, like credit cards with no annual fees or checking accounts with high interest yields. Use the menu at the top of the page to access the helpful lists of financial products.

3 posts we enjoyed:

28. Money Saving Mom

@moneysavingmom

Money Saving Mom

Founded in 2007, Money Saving Mom helps deal hunters find the latest ways to save money for their families by shopping frugally, budgeting, and using store deals and rewards in tandem. The site also offers tips for busy parents to earn more income through side hustles, work at home jobs, and businesses. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

29. Money Talks News

@moneytalksnews

Money Talks News

Money Talks News is a magazine-style blog with resourceful guides and articles on personal finance topics. Its Solutions Center is a helpful hub that organizes its content into various categories for readers to browse specific topics, like HELOCs, cell phone plans, and credit restoration. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

30. Money Under 30

@MoneyUnder30

Money Under 30

Money Under 30 was created by David Weliver, who, although not a finance expert, was able to climb out of tens of thousands of dollars of debt in three years. Weliver’s feat prompted him to create a blog designed to help others do the same. Today, Money Under 30 delivers information about consolidating debt, refinancing mortgages, and other ways to manage money wisely.

3 posts we enjoyed:

31. Mr. Money Mustache

@mrmoneymustache

Mr. Money Mustache

Mr. Money Mustache is one of the most unique financial blogs in terms of design and content. The blog started in 2011 by the self-proclaimed frugal owner to teach others how to build their savings and live off less money. The blog gets updated just about once a month with new insights to share, like making money by selling websites or tips for living in a tiny home.

3 posts we enjoyed:

32. Nerdwallet

@NerdWallet

Nerdwallet

Nerdwallet is known for its monthly guides on credit cards, bank accounts, mortgages, and other financial products that are best for consumers each month. The in-depth guides explore interest rates, card rewards, and other top considerations for finding the right financial products when you need them most. In addition to these helpful resources, Nerdwallet also features informational personal finance articles to help people at all income levels navigate budgeting, credit, and more.

3 posts we enjoyed:

33. Physician on Fire

@PhysicianOnFIRE

Physician on Fire

Physician on Fire is a blog written by a physician who’s equally invested in finance as they are healthcare. This blog helps other physicians be smart with their money with tips for managing student loans, building a health practice, retiring, and doing taxes.

3 posts we enjoyed:

34. Ramsey

@daveramsey

Ramsey

Dave Ramsey is one of modern society’s most well-known financial experts. His blog speaks on his popular debt management solutions with several other topics mixed in, like managing finances for a family, saving money on entertainment, and what to know about the housing market in each state.

3 posts we enjoyed:

35. SmartReads by SmartAsset

@SmartAsset

SmartReads by SmartAsset

SmartReads is a blog written by financial advisors and other financial experts for consumers to grow their financial intelligence. It features money news, stock information, up-to-date mortgage news, and guides on investing, retirement, saving, and more.

3 posts we enjoyed:

36. StockMarket.com

StockMarket.com

Stock market investors visit StockMarket.com for its daily stock market news featuring the best stocks to buy that day and which other stocks you might want to watch for. It also highlights real-time stock tickers.

3 posts we enjoyed:

37. The Ascent by The Motley Fool

@TheAscentMoney

The Ascent by The Motley Fool

The Ascent is The Motley Fool’s personal finance blog with information for regular, everyday people who want to build financial wealth through stocks, low-cost mortgages, or high-yield savings accounts. The blog includes rankings, tips, and guides to help consumers with whatever financial goals they have. We especially enjoy its shopping guides, like ways to save at Costco or new and affordable products at Trader Joe’s.

3 posts we enjoyed:

38. The Balance Money

@thebalance

The Balance Money

The Balance’s Money blog is written by subject-matter experts and reviewed by a financial review board to ensure accuracy. Shorter articles include actionable tips for investing, saving, and managing money, while longer guides review financial products, present financial news, or dig deep with interviews of financial experts.

3 posts we enjoyed:

39. The College Investor

@CollegeInvestin

The College Investor

College students visit The College Investor to discover student loans news, ways to save or make money while attending college, and other relevant topics for those starting to build their futures. The site also includes a Research section with exclusive research on higher education, student loans, and finances related to college students.

3 posts we enjoyed:

40. The Penny Hoarder

@thepennyhoarder

The Penny Hoarder

The Penny Hoarder is a hub for budgeters, smart shoppers, and side hustlers. This blog presents new articles daily on topics like dream jobs, roadside assistance plans, and buying a home with bad or no credit. Visitors can also join The Penny Hoarder Community, a message board for visitors to share financial information or ask questions.

3 posts we enjoyed:

41. The Reformed Broker

@ReformedBroker

The Reformed Broker

The Reformed Broker comes from Josh Brown, a financial advisor who shares investing information with almost-daily blog posts. This blog is heavily video-based, with many posts embedding clips of Brown’s halftime reports, interviews, and podcasts where he discusses the current best stocks, inflation, entrepreneurship, and more.

3 posts we enjoyed:

42. The Retirement Manifesto

@RetireManifesto

The Retirement Manifesto

This blog comes from Fritz Gilbert, who was able to retire with his wife at the age of 55. The Retirement Manifesto shares tips based on Fritz’s personal experiences to guide them toward early retirement and financial independence.

3 posts we enjoyed:

43. Wallet Hacks

@wallethacks

Wallet Hacks

Wallet Hacks’ owner Jim Wang is a personal finance writer with experience building wealth that he now shares with his blog’s readers. The website breaks down some of the best financial products for various needs through helpful roundups while also sharing tips and best practices to boost personal wealth.

3 posts we enjoyed:

44. Well Kept Wallet

@WellKeptWallet

Well Kept Wallet

Well Kept Wallet categorizes its posts into four primary categories: Making money, saving money, investing, and paying off debt. This simple approach leads to hundreds of helpful articles targeting the primary reasons people seek help with finances. Find companies that can reduce debt, apps that help you make some side income, guides for using payday loans, and similar topics on this blog.

3 posts we enjoyed:

45. WiseBread

@wisebread

WiseBread

In addition to the typical financial advice you expect to receive from the best financial blogs, WiseBread takes a few unique angles with its content. First, its ‘Ask the Readers’ series asks readers to share tips for others about products that save them money or advice they have about budgeting and other finance-related topics. WiseBread also offers product guides to help readers find affordable products for various needs, like skincare and travel. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

46. Women Who Money

@WomenWhoMoney

Women Who Money

Women Who Money is a blog founded and written by women for women, with financial articles targeted toward women’s specific needs, although almost anyone seeking financial advice can likely find most of the site’s content helpful. Women Who Money offers a helpful categorization for its articles by expertise level, like finance topics for beginners and more advanced topics for those interested in investments, financial freedom, real estate, etc.

3 posts we enjoyed:

47. Yahoo Finance

@YahooFinance

Yahoo Finance

For finance news, Yahoo Finance is one of the best blogs on the web. From stock tickers to personal finance articles to the latest economy-influencing financial news, Yahoo Finance has new information daily for all levels of finance enthusiasts. Create a Yahoo account to add stocks to your personal watchlist.

3 posts we enjoyed:

48. YNAB Blog

@ynab

YNAB Blog

YNAB is a budgeting app that tracks income and expenses and helps users control their finances along the way. Its blog is a great place to start learning about managing money with its easy-to-follow posts for beginners and intermediate savers and budgeters. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

49. Young Adult Money

@YoungAdultMoney

Young Adult Money

Founded in 2012, Young Adult Money began as a personal blog but has grown into a massive resource on all things money, particularly for adults who are just starting to build their wealth. The blog provides information about student loans, beginning a retirement fund, and growing wealth through easy side hustles.

3 posts we enjoyed:

50. Young and the Invested

@youngadntheinv

Young and the Invested

Young and the Invested is geared toward bettering the finances of young adults so they can continue to have healthy financial strategies that carry with them into later adulthood. Blog posts cover topics like money-making apps, investments teenagers can make, and credit cards that can help beginners build credit. It also features helpful information for parents looking to save for their children or teach their children about managing money.

3 posts we enjoyed:

We hope you get the information you need from the best financial blogs in this guide to meet your financial goals. We suggest creating a bookmarks folder specifically for the financial blogs you enjoy most to keep them handy for future reference. 

Are you interested in starting a blog of your own? Read our guide on how to start a blog for beginners. Once your blog is set up, make it easy for your readers to help your blog grow by installing social media share buttons. When they come across a post they love, they can share it with everyone they know on social media with a single click.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the best financial blogs?

Hundreds of excellent financial blogs exist on the web, with each having its own spin on finance. For instance, some blogs target financial topics for young adults, such as Young Adult Money and Young and the Invested. Others tackle retirement-focused topics for adults interested in jump-starting their retirement savings, like The Retirement Manifesto and Financial Mentor. Other top financial blogs provide more general advice and tips that almost anyone can utilize like Well Kept Wallet and Intuit MintLife.

What are personal finance blogs?

Personal finance blogs include topics that the average person might find helpful, like budgeting for college, saving for retirement, or purchasing a home. These blogs might also include guides for finding the best credit cards, savings accounts, and other financial products for specific financial goals.

Do finance bloggers make money from their blogs?

Some finance bloggers do make money from their blogs through methods like advertising, affiliate marketing, or email marketing. For example, Nerdwallet links to credit cards, bank accounts, and other financial products and services, sometimes earning affiliate income through those links. 

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Shopify vs. Etsy: Which Platform is Best for Your Online Store? https://sharethis.com/website-tips/2023/07/shopify-vs-etsy/ Tue, 18 Jul 2023 14:52:25 +0000 https://sharethis.com/?p=209408 If you’re considering opening an online store to drop ship products or sell unique products you make, you might have considered Shopify vs. Etsy. These eCommerce platforms are two of the most well-known and popular in the industry, and each comes with its pros and cons for sellers. The one that’s best for you depends […]

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If you’re considering opening an online store to drop ship products or sell unique products you make, you might have considered Shopify vs. Etsy. These eCommerce platforms are two of the most well-known and popular in the industry, and each comes with its pros and cons for sellers. The one that’s best for you depends on what you sell, how you run your business, and the goals you have for your business.

In this guide, we compare the platforms to one another based on their pricing, product management features, sales and marketing tools, customization options, and ease of setting up an account. We’ll also cover:

What is Shopify?

Founded in 2006, Shopify is an eCommerce platform to help business owners sell products or services online. The platform provides an all-in-one solution for hosting and building a website, managing products, and marketing an online store.

What is Etsy?

Etsy was founded in 2005 as an online marketplace to buy and sell vintage and handmade items. Sellers can open shops to sell items on the platform.

Shopify vs. Etsy: Which Should You Use for Your Online Store?

Shopify and Etsy are each excellent at what they do. With that said, they’re designed for different purposes. While Etsy provides a more managed solution for online business owners to sell their products online, Shopify places full control into the hands of sellers.

Although there are several similarities and differences between the two, we’re focusing our comparison on the following features, which are among the most important to consider when choosing the right platform:

  • Account and store setup
  • Customization
  • Product management
  • Sales and marketing

Setting Up an Account and Store

Shopify offers a free account setup where you can trial the service for three days before buying. To start, simply enter your email address on the website home page and fill in a few details about yourself and your business. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHYkv6tiLY0

This process is easy, but setting up your actual store can take more time. With Shopify, you’ll need to customize the look of your store, like its pages, navigation, and product collections. You also must purchase and set up a domain name if you want to have a unique URL for your store, like yourstore.com. These steps take some time and can be challenging for people who aren’t tech-savvy.

Etsy, on the other hand, is virtually as easy as setting up an online account. After you name your shop and fill in a few details, Etsy takes care of everything in the background as your store becomes Etsy-hosted.

Winner: Etsy. Because Etsy takes care of the technical setup of an online store on its website, there’s no coding for sellers to worry about. They can simply set up their accounts and shop to start selling almost immediately.

Customization Features

Etsy is somewhat limited in customization because Etsy manages shops on the platform. While you can change your product descriptions, store logo, and a few other details, you don’t have full control over your site.

Meanwhile, Shopify does offer that control, from tweaking menus and navigation to setting up sales funnels to move customers from leads to buyers. Shopify also includes several themes to help you customize the look of your online store to match your company branding. Additionally, you don’t need much coding experience to do so if you use Shopify’s built-in website builder.

Winner: Shopify. If you have a good idea of how to customize a website, you’ll find that Shopify has a lot more to offer in terms of customization, including integrations, themes, and shopping experiences.

Product Management

Shopify stores allow up to 100,000 items, including variations of specific items. Meanwhile, Etsy doesn’t appear to have a cap on the number of items a shop owner can list. However, it does charge a 20-cent fee per listing. Shopify’s listings are included with your plan.

Both platforms allow shop owners to organize their products. In Etsy, you can place items in different categories for customers to sort through. Shopify also offers categories as well as tags to break down sorting further.

Etsy doesn’t quite catch up to Shopify in its inventory management, though. Shopify’s backend system lets shop owners access inventory tracking, adjustment, and history to keep tabs on everything in stock.

Winner: Shopify. Its inventory management features and more granular categorization give shop owners more control over their products.

Sales and Marketing Features

Etsy actively promotes listings on its platform, but there’s no guarantee yours will be promoted unless you purchase ads yourself. Sellers can also offer discounts to encourage people to come to their shop.

Meanwhile, Shopify is as much a marketing tool as it is an eCommerce platform. Shopify has built-in SEO tools, optional advertising, built-in blogging for content marketing, and customer contact methods, like live chat and web forms. Shopify apps can also help you get the sales and marketing tools you need, like abandoned cart funnels, product reviews, and email marketing.

Winner: Shopify, which has numerous sales and marketing features for virtually any kind of online business, either as standard features or optional add-ons.

Pricing

Shopify uses a subscription-based model for stores, ranging from $39 to $399 per month or $29 to $299 per month if purchased annually. Additionally, subscribers pay credit card fees, which are lower with higher-priced plans.

Etsy sellers can get a shop for no monthly fee. However, Etsy does have listing, transaction, and payment processing fees. An Etsy Plus account is available for $10 per month, giving shop owners ad credits, listing credits, advanced customization, and additional features.

Winner: Tie. For small business owners, Etsy’s pay-as-you-go format might be more affordable. However, larger sellers will probably enjoy the all-in-one solution Shopify’s subscription provides.

Whatever platform you choose to build your online store, make it easy for customers to help generate some buzz about your business by installing social media share buttons on your store’s website. They’re simple to install in just minutes, allowing your visitors to share your product pages and blog posts with a single click.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is it cheaper to sell on Etsy or Shopify?

If you aren’t a large-scale seller, Etsy might be more affordable, as you can start a shop with no monthly fee and pay fees as you sell. Meanwhile, Shopify’s more all-inclusive monthly subscription might be more affordable for higher volume sellers.

Is Shopify or Etsy better for beginners?

Etsy is straightforward to set up, as your shop gets hosted by Etsy itself and has limited customization options compared to Shopify. However, if you have some experience setting up websites, Shopify probably won’t feel too foreign.

Should I use both Shopify and Etsy?

You could sell on both Shopify and Etsy. If you do, it’s a good idea to use a Shopify app to connect your stores together. This way, you can track and manage inventory for both shops in one space.

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ChatGPT for Programming: How ChatGPT Can Help Programmers (+ 5 Common Use Cases) https://sharethis.com/website-tips/2023/06/chatgpt-for-programming/ Tue, 13 Jun 2023 13:05:04 +0000 https://sharethis.com/?p=209345 ChatGPT has been helping business owners write emails, provide information to customers, and create meeting notes for a while now. Still, some businesses are finding new ways to implement the chatbot into their operations, including using it for backend tasks like programming. Whether you’re a business owner wanting to take on some coding tasks yourself […]

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ChatGPT has been helping business owners write emails, provide information to customers, and create meeting notes for a while now. Still, some businesses are finding new ways to implement the chatbot into their operations, including using it for backend tasks like programming.

Whether you’re a business owner wanting to take on some coding tasks yourself or a programmer interested in increasing productivity, learn what you can expect from ChatGPT. 

In this article: 

Can ChatGPT Help Programmers?

Yes, ChatGPT has proven helpful for programmers to become more efficient at what they do. Furthermore, people without programming experience may even be able to type a prompt into ChatGPT and get a workable piece of code or a fully coded solution. 

However, as helpful as ChatGPT can be for programmers and non-programmers who want to use it to generate code, it’s crucial to remember that ChatGPT is just a tool that’s still progressing and growing. ChatGPT may be able to handle coding for simple applications, but complex code snippets will likely still need skilled programmers to write, test, and implement them.

5 ChatGPT for Programming Use Cases

Taking into consideration the potential limitations of using ChatGPT for programming, here are a few viable ways you might be able to use the software for coding tasks.

  1. Writing New Code

Plug a detailed prompt into ChatGPT and direct it to generate entirely new code based on that prompt in any coding language from basic HTML or CSS to Python or C#. You could end up with a working piece of code to use for creating software, a mobile app, or an email newsletter template.

Sometimes, ChatGPT can produce complex codes, but this ultimately depends on what it’s being asked to do and how well your prompt directed it. As a result, experienced programmers typically get the best results when using ChatGPT to write new code, as they know what details they need to feed the system to get the desired output.

  1. Commenting on Code

ChatGPT can go beyond simply writing code by providing more context to code with comments. If you have a block of code that could benefit from descriptors for organizational purposes, you can feed that code to ChatGPT and prompt it to add comments to that code. 

For instance, a web designer might add comments to each section of a website’s stylesheet to help website users find the pieces of code they need to change to achieve specific color schemes, navigation, and other website features. Using ChatGPT to do this can significantly cut down the amount of time this task can take for large blocks of code.

  1. Optimizing or Fixing Code

Over time, codes can become outdated or stop working correctly with other features or updates. In this case, optimizing code can keep it fresh and compatible with other pieces of code. However, if you’re not entirely sure about what needs to be fixed or updated, ChatGPT might be able to help.

Plug code snippets into ChatGPT and prompt the tool to search for potential errors and, if needed, optimize or fix the code. With the right prompts, ChatGPT can produce a newly optimized codebase to replace the previous one with.

  1. Code a Full Website or Website Features

It’s entirely possible to create a website from scratch using ChatGPT, especially when you prompt the tool with detailed features of the website you want to create. Creating a full website can be quite a feat using AI, though, so it’s best to know the necessary elements of a working website so you can piece everything together properly when it’s time to install the code.

Higher chances of success seem to come from building different website elements separately, like creating an ‘About Us’ page with a specific prompt before asking ChatGPT to write the stylesheet for your website. Play around with it to see what works best.

  1. Translating Code to Other Programming Languages

Codes behave differently in various programming languages; therefore, you may want to translate code from one language to another. 

If you’re not as experienced with the new language as the current one, you can try translating the code with ChatGPT. It might take some back-and-forth conversation with the bot to get the most precise results, so try to be as specific as possible when feeding information in prompts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ChatGPT good for programming?

ChatGPT’s use cases are being explored across many industries and professions. So far, programmers have found ChatGPT useful for a variety of tasks, such as: 

  • Writing new code
  • Commenting on code
  • Optimizing or fixing code
  • Translating code
  • Coding websites or specific features
  • Generating placeholder or filler content (e.g., for databases) 
  • Converting code into different formats 
  • Generating algorithms
  • Formatting data
  • …and more

ChatGPT can write entire codebases, but it requires some programming expertise to fact-check and identify potential coding errors before using the code on a live program or website.

Is ChatGPT replacing programmers? While discussion about what roles ChatGPT will eventually place shows no signs of slowing anytime soon, the general consensus is that ChatGPT — at least in its current form — won’t replace programmers entirely but will supplement their work and help streamline tasks. 

However, there are some who speculate that future iterations of ChatGPT could be powerful enough to replace programmers within the next decade.

How good is ChatGPT 4 at programming? ChatGPT produces code based on a prompt entered by the user, so how well it does programming relies heavily on the user’s programming knowledge and the quality of the prompt.  

In general, programmers using ChatGPT 4 to create code should be sure to fact-check any code it produces, test it before rolling it out on a live system, and leverage other sources to check for coding errors and other potential issues.

Is ChatGPT good for debugging? Yes, ChatGPT is a valuable tool for debugging code. Provide ChatGPT with a code snippet, and ChatGPT will then analyze it and identify syntax errors or bugs. 

Programmers can also ask about error messages or unwanted behavior, and ChatGPT can suggest alternative approaches to solving coding problems to help programmers resolve issues quickly.

Making the Most of Programming with ChatGPT

ChatGPT has been surprising the world with everything it can accomplish, including its programming capabilities. With specific and clear prompts, it’s possible for programming beginners to experts to complete a wide range of tasks, from writing code comments to building new websites.

However, accuracy is a common concern with ChatGPT. Your code results may look perfect at first glance, but testing and verifying them is the only way to make sure they’re viable. If you’re not an experienced programmer, you might consider having one review your code results before using them to avoid unnecessary functionality, compatibility, or privacy issues.

ChatGPT isn’t the only technology tool that can save you time. Add social media share buttons to your newly built websites with a simple snippet of code, and let your visitors spread the word about your website. With a single click, they can share your content across their favorite social media networks, increasing your site’s exposure to a broader audience. 

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Is ChatGPT Good for Business? Challenges, How Businesses Can Use ChatGPT & More https://sharethis.com/website-tips/2023/06/is-chatgpt-good-for-business-challenges-how-businesses-can-use-chatgpt-more/ Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:47:30 +0000 https://sharethis.com/?p=209344 You’ve undoubtedly heard a lot of chatter in marketing groups, on social media, or in your personal networks about ChatGPT and how people use this artificial intelligence-powered chatbot. But is ChatGPT good for business?  Is Chat GPT Good for Business?  In some ways, yes; in other ways, no. While ChatGPT potentially has a bright future […]

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You’ve undoubtedly heard a lot of chatter in marketing groups, on social media, or in your personal networks about ChatGPT and how people use this artificial intelligence-powered chatbot. But is ChatGPT good for business

Is Chat GPT Good for Business? 

In some ways, yes; in other ways, no. While ChatGPT potentially has a bright future and can certainly assist businesses with small tasks, it still has its caveats. Yet, this incredible tool is shaping up to be one of the most talked about and used pieces of technology we’ve seen to date. 

In fact, a report from Business of Apps notes that ChatGPT holds the record for the fastest climb to 100 million active users, which it reached in just two months — faster than even Google’s Google+ social media platform manages to do.

It’s clear that people and businesses of all backgrounds and industries are finding ways to utilize ChatGPT as it becomes more mainstream. Its use is even being explored in the healthcare industry, albeit with much discussion on legal and healthcare blogs about potential privacy implications — especially in light of the growing number and scope of data privacy regulations

Let’s look at the potential pros and cons of using ChatGPT for business purposes. 

Potential Challenges Businesses Face Using ChatGPT

ChatGPT can help businesses in numerous ways, taking smaller, mundane tasks off their plate and saving the time and money that would otherwise be spent to have humans handle those tasks. However, companies should be mindful of the challenges that can come into play by using ChatGPT. 

There are four main concerns to consider:

  1. Accuracy: Although the text that ChatGPT creates when answering a question or responding to a prompt is often well-written and persuasive, it’s proven that it’s not always as accurate as it seems. When creating content around a ChatGPT response, it’s crucial to still fact-check, edit, and source information to ensure accuracy. 
  2. Privacy: As ChatGPT grows in popularity, privacy concerns have also increased. In fact, Italy banned the chatbot from use, citing concerns over its use of private data, potential data breaches, and the accessibility of unsuitable materials to minors.
  3. Human job security: ChatGPT and similar tools have prioritized certain tasks over using people to complete those tasks, resulting in reduced job security. CBS News reports that, when asked how many American jobs ChatGPT could replace, the tool responded with “4.8 million.”
  4. Biases: ChatGPT combs through already-produced content to provide answers to questions and prompts. As a result, the tool often highlights biases businesses may not want to be included in responses. Studies and history have shown that artificial intelligence models can be inherently biased, sometimes discriminating against races, genders, and political affiliations.

5 Ways ChatGPT Can Help Businesses

As with many AI-based software, ChatGPT isn’t without its flaws. There are benefits for businesses using ChatGPT, although the onus is on each company to ensure it uses the technology responsibly and within the limits of privacy laws and other safeguards. 

  1. Customer Support

Some businesses have incorporated ChatGPT into their customer service strategies by training the software to provide answers to frequently asked questions by customers. For instance, a shoe company might provide ChatGPT with information about its shoe materials, sizing, color options, and ordering process. Then, the company can ask ChatGPT to create a page of frequently asked questions a customer might ask based on that information. 

Some plugins are also available to add a live chat function with ChatGPT to websites to help customers get quick answers to some of their questions. 

  1. Translation

Translating documents or information a business wants to include in an email newsletter, on its website, or on social media is possible with ChatGPT. A simple prompt, such as “Translate the following text into Spanish,” can yield relatively accurate results. However, having a freelance translator on hand for accuracy checks is a good idea, as ChatGPT won’t always be able to translate technical jargon or colloquial phrases. 

  1. Content Creation

One of the most common ways businesses are using the power of ChatGPT is with content creation. Content creation can include any type of content a business produces, including case studies, blogs for their websites, email newsletters, or social media posts.

Rather than allowing ChatGPT to take the reigns on all content creation, like writing full blog posts or news articles, it’s safer for businesses to use the software for brainstorming or outlining their content instead. This can result in more accurate, people-focused content and help businesses avoid potential copyright issues arising from using entire pieces of AI-generated content. 

  1. Coding Help

When a business needs help with coding for its website or apps, turning to ChatGPT can sometimes be quicker and easier than asking for help from a web developer or designer. The right prompt can pull up actual code snippets from other websites, for example, to use as a model for new features to implement.

  1. Employee Training

ChatGPT can help with numerous aspects of employee training, including assisting with the creation of training manuals, answering common questions from employees, and pulling helpful resources for employees as they get started with onboarding and training. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can businesses use ChatGPT? Yes, businesses can use ChatGPT for a variety of purposes, such as: 

  • Getting ideas for blog posts
  • Generating lists of frequently asked questions 
  • Outlining content
  • Creating email newsletter copy 
  • Customer support
  • Translation
  • Help with coding
  • Creating meta titles and descriptions
  • Creating social media posts
  • Employee training
  • …and more

However, businesses should use ChatGPT with care to ensure that any content, translation, or code is accurate and that it doesn’t contain biases.

Is ChatGPT safe to use for business? Yes, ChatGPT is safe to use for business, with some caveats: 

  • Don’t give ChatGPT carte blanche: Giving ChatGPT free reign to create entire articles or website copy without fact-checking and editing the content is a recipe for disaster. 
  • Take care to avoid biases: Generative AI such as ChatGPT may have inherent biases due to the material they were trained on. 
  • Always check for plagiarism: Yes, ChatGPT may produce copy that is identical to copyrighted material from another source. Always run any content produced by ChatGPT through a reliable plagiarism checker.
  • Be mindful of security: When users share sensitive information on ChatGPT, such as information about customers or intellectual property (IP), ChatGPT ingests that information — and could then reveal that information to other users in response to a prompt.

How will ChatGPT affect business? While it’s clear that ChatGPT affects businesses, it’s not yet clear to what extent or in what ways. ChatGPT is already being used by businesses to streamline tasks, from creating social media content to providing customer support, and its potential use cases are growing by the day.

Who owns ChatGPT content? When it comes to the content produced by ChatGPT in response to users’ prompts, the waters are murky. OpenAI’s stance is that the output is owned by the user who provided the input, assigning all of its (OpenAI’s) rights and interests to the user. 

However, copyright laws were written to protect content and creative works created by humans, and there are many interpretations of existing law as well as other issues, such as: 

  • Duplication: ChatGPT can provide the same output to multiple users who enter similar prompts. 
  • Plagiarism: ChatGPT may produce plagiarized content. If that’s the case, neither ChatGPT nor OpenAI own the rights and interests to that content and, therefore, can’t assign those rights to the user
  • Local laws and regulations: Another potential issue regarding ownership of ChatGPT or other AI-produced content is that local laws and regulations may usurp any way for ChatGPT, OpenAI, or the user to own the copyright.

What to Keep In Mind When Using ChatGPT for Business

AI is quickly becoming the future of business. Companies in virtually any industry can get ahead of the curve by learning time-saving ways to implement it into their processes now. 

Still, businesses have an important responsibility to ensure that ChatGPT and other forms of AI don’t replace professionals who can potentially do the job more accurately and with higher quality.

From ChatGPT’s many capabilities to social media share buttons that enable your blog or website visitors to share your content with a single click, technology offers myriad ways to save time on business tasks. Consider ChatGPT as another tool to add to your business’s toolkit, allowing professionals to save time researching, translating, and providing simple customer support.

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The Best Movie Blogs to Keep Up with New Releases, Ratings & More https://sharethis.com/website-tips/2023/06/best-movie-blogs/ Tue, 06 Jun 2023 11:49:08 +0000 https://sharethis.com/?p=209359 By following the best movie blogs on the web, movie enthusiasts can say up-to-date on new movie releases, critic reviews, ratings, and more. Whether you need inspiration to start a movie blog of your own or want to find the best resources to share with your movie-loving audience on Instagram, YouTube, or another social platform, […]

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By following the best movie blogs on the web, movie enthusiasts can say up-to-date on new movie releases, critic reviews, ratings, and more. Whether you need inspiration to start a movie blog of your own or want to find the best resources to share with your movie-loving audience on Instagram, YouTube, or another social platform, this list of movie blogs will guide you toward numerous options to bookmark.

In this article: 

What Do the Best Movie Blogs Offer?

Watching movies is one of America’s favorite pastimes, and reading movie blogs is an excellent way to keep up on industry news, entertainment, and your favorite industry influencers — and become a go-to expert on movies and filmmaking yourself. The best movie blogs give audiences something unique that sets them apart from others, like exclusive interviews with film stars and production or rankings of the latest movies in specific genres.

We’ve rounded up 50 of the best movie blogs that touch upon topics movie enthusiasts love, including:

  • Movie industry news
  • Upcoming releases
  • Movie summaries and trailers
  • Wrap-ups of movie premiers and events
  • Rating guides
  • Classic movies
  • Actor interviews

The following movie blogs are listed in alphabetic order but otherwise aren’t ranked or rated in any way.

The 50 Best Movie Blogs

1. AwardsWatch

@awards_watch

This magazine-style blog is an excellent choice for movie buffs who also enjoy watching award shows. Not only does it include movie news and reviews, but it also has entire sections dedicated to award show predictions and winners. There’s also a podcast for those who want audio summaries of all the latest movie news.

3 posts we enjoyed:

2. CBR

@CBR

Although CBR covers everything from TV to comics, it has a whole category of movie articles that’s updated multiple times a day. Find news about your favorite actors and movies, behind-the-scenes looks, just-for-fun reads, and updates about upcoming releases.

3 posts we enjoyed:

3. Chicago Reader

@Chicago_Reader

Chicago Reader’s Film section offers readers exclusive interviews and intriguing reviews of new movies. The section is updated multiple times per week.

3 posts we enjoyed:

4. Cinema Blend

@cinemablend

CinemaBlend is a go-to for TV and movie enthusiasts, but if you’re just visiting for the movie articles, you’ll have plenty to choose from with behind-the-scenes information, celebrity news, and box office updates.

3 posts we enjoyed:

5. Cinephilia & Beyond

@CloseInitiative

This blog is for filmmakers, screenwriters, and others who enjoy reading about the artistry of film. Cinephilia & Beyond articles often touch on classic movies and pioneers in the film industry as its writers intertwine modern moviemaking with memories of the past. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

6. Collider

@collider

Collider is a mish-mosh of content for movie fans, including fun character roundups, deep dives into upcoming releases, and movie reviews and opinion pieces. We also enjoy its occasional lists of movies to watch on various streaming platforms.

3 posts we enjoyed:

7. Common Sense Media

@commonsense

Common Sense Media is an informative blog for parents of kids who love to watch movies and TV or play games. Parents or guardians can check the site for other parent movie reviews to learn whether a movie has appropriate content for their child’s age. The website also includes other blog posts with helpful tips and guides for child safety and wellness, like limiting screen time or suggesting child-friendly books.

3 posts we enjoyed:

8. Current

@Criterion

Current comes from the Criterion Collection and offers an intimate look at films spanning multiple generations. Daily posts include exclusive interviews, personal essays, and visual analyses, which explore characters and scenes with video and discussion.

3 posts we enjoyed:

9. Deadline

@DEADLINE

Deadline has it all for movie enthusiasts, including international movie coverage, awards show news, movie festival updates, and movie reviews.  

3 posts we enjoyed:

10. Dread Central

@dreadcentral

If you enjoy watching horror movies, Dread Central is for you. This blog is entirely focused on the horror genre with new movie reviews, horror scene roundups, and editorials.

3 posts we enjoyed:

11. Empire

@empiremagazine

Dive into movie news, reviews, and feature articles on Empire, which also includes other entertainment categories, like TV and gaming. Each movie review has an easy-to-spot star rating system before clicking on a post, so you can quickly scan movie lists to find one you want to watch. Check out the Empire Podcast if you can’t get enough movie updates.

3 posts we enjoyed:

12. Entertainment Weekly

@EW

Known best for its magazine, Entertainment Weekly also has a full-fledged entertainment blog with plenty of movie news to consume. Be prepared to find lots of exclusive interviews with your favorite stars and directors, plus sneak peeks at new releases, in-depth movie reviews, and film festival news. Its Movie Reunions section is a must for anyone feeling a bit nostalgic.

3 posts we enjoyed:

13. /Film

@slashfilm

/Film posts numerous movie-focused stories a day, each with an entertainment focus for movie enthusiasts who enjoy the fun behind movies. Its articles go in-depth with favorite movies from the past and present and provide engaging round-ups for fans of any genre.

3 posts we enjoyed:

14. FilmBook

@filmbookdotcom

Learn why various movies were casted the way they were and what movie watchers think of the choices in FilmBook, a blog with multiple new posts each day. It also has loads of trailers, reviews, and news.

3 posts we enjoyed:

15. Film Comment Magazine

@filmcomment

Film Comment Magazine is a publication from Lincoln Center with interviews, festival news, and film criticism. It also has a podcast that’s updated multiple times a week.

3 posts we enjoyed:

16. Film Quarterly

@filmquarterly

As the name suggests, Film Quarterly is a quarterly digital magazine all about movies with issues highlighting editorial features, interviews, and engaging takes on movies and culture. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

17. Film Threat

@FilmThreat

Film Threat is a fun movie blog with topical movie lists, news, videos, and more. The site also presents unique and interesting editorials.

3 posts we enjoyed:

18. GeekTyrant

@geektyrant

GeekTyrant is a leading website for news of all things multimedia, including comics, art, technology, and movies. The site’s journalists take a creative approach to movie reviews, opinions, and news.

3 posts we enjoyed:

19. Heroic Hollywood

@heroichollywood

Heroic Hollywood is a place for superhero movie fans to congregate, get behind-the-scenes looks at their favorite superheroes and supervillains, and learn what movies to get excited about next. Find reviews, news, trailers, and editorial pieces here.

3 posts we enjoyed:

20. IndieWire Film Blog

@IndieWire

IndieWire releases multiple new posts each day to give movie fans all the information they need to feel satiated. Although the website began with coverage for independent films and festivals, it’s since expanded to span today’s most popular genres.

3 posts we enjoyed:

21. In My Opinion Flicks

@IMOFlicks

IMO Flicks is a different kind of movie blog than most in that it not only reviews movies, but it also teaches others how to review movies and start their own movie blogs. The site also offers helpful tips for movie watchers, like how to track watched movies and gifts to send to other movie lovers.

3 posts we enjoyed:

22. Jay’s Classic Movie Blog

@theJayJacobson

Dig into your favorite old movies or discover ones you should watch on this blog, which writes about a new classic must-watch movie every couple of weeks. The writer numbers each post and suggests readers watch the films as presented. Each blog post includes information about the film’s actors, history, music, and other elements.

3 posts we enjoyed:

23. JoBlo

@joblocom

JoBlo has existed on the web since 1998, releasing news and editorial pieces about movies and TV. Its movie posts cover box office news, reviews, free movie roundups, new releases, and more. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

24. Letterboxd

@letterboxd

Letterboxd coins itself as a “social network for film lovers,” allowing movie enthusiasts to track the movies they watch and find new movies to watch by following others. Although it doesn’t have a blog of its own, per se, the site also curates movie-related posts from other blogs, making it easy to stay on top of industry news.

3 posts we enjoyed:

25. Little White Lies

@lwlies

This minimalistic website looks much different than other movie blogs, but its content is what truly sets it apart. The digital magazine digs deep into unique movie-focused topics, connecting film with culture, society, and human interests, in addition to releasing opinionated movie reviews.

3 posts we enjoyed:

26. Looper

@looper

Looper is packed with entertaining features and reviews on movies across all genres. The blog also explores movie ratings for kids, streaming platform offerings, and teasers.

3 posts we enjoyed:

27. Los Angeles Times Movie News

@latimes

The Los Angeles Times’ digital publication has a comprehensive movie section with reviews, interviews, industry news, and hot takes. Readers can also find helpful information to feed their love for movies, like streaming platform recommendations and where to find movie festivals and events. Side note: This pub does require a subscription if you read more than a couple of articles per month, but it could be worth the low cost for true movie buffs.

3 posts we enjoyed:

28. MovieMaker Magazine

@moviemakermag

Movie Maker magazine provides a lot of content for aspiring filmmakers, but movie fans of all kinds can appreciate its frequently updated movie news, reviews, festival coverage, and more. The blog’s exclusive interviews with celebrities are truly must-reads for fans of all genres.

3 posts we enjoyed:

29. MovieWeb

@movieweb

Expect to see thorough coverage of just about every new movie to hit theaters on MovieWeb. This blog updates multiple times a day with the latest news, features, and “What to Watch” guides across all genres.

3 posts we enjoyed:

30. NME Film

@NME

NME is an entertainment blog with guides, articles, and news on gaming, festivals, TV, and movies. Its Film section does a great job blending fun reads with celebrity and movie news and movie deep dives.

3 posts we enjoyed:

31. No Film School

@nofilmschool

No Film School is as entertaining for those who like to watch movies as it is for people who like to make them. Find guides, news, and tips on filmmaking and production while you browse reviews, plot guides, and movie ending overviews scattered throughout.

3 posts we enjoyed:

32. Out of the Past Blog

@raquelstecher

Founded in 2007, Out of the Past features book and movie reviews of classics. Check out the Film Reviews tag to find new classics to indulge yourself in.

3 posts we enjoyed:

33. Plugged In

Plugged In comes from Focus on the Family, a company that emphasizes a family’s place in society. This blog breaks down its movie reviews into categories, like spiritual elements, drug and alcohol content, violence, and positive elements, to help families determine what movies are right for them.

3 posts we enjoyed:

34. Popflick

@watchpopflick

Popflick is a streaming movie platform with a spectacular movie-focused blog with unique takes about movies, many of which you won’t find on some of the more well-known streaming services. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

35. Regal’s Movie Blog

@RegalMovies

Regal Cinema’s movie blog is just what you’d expect from a movie theater company: chock-full of exclusive interviews, character guides, and new movie release information. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

36. Roger Ebert

@ebertchicago

Famous movie critic Roger Ebert has one of the best movie blogs on the web, with a full section dedicated to Ebert’s top movie picks. Also, check out written and video interviews with some of your favorite movie actors.

3 posts we enjoyed:

37. Rolling Stone

@RollingStone

Rolling Stone’s TV and movies section releases daily news, event recaps, and editorial features for movie enthusiasts. We especially enjoy Rolling Stone’s movie roundups for different genres and occasions, like the best Cannes Festival picks or best summer movies.

3 posts we enjoyed:

38. Rotten Tomatoes

@rottentomatoes

Rotten Tomatoes is one of the most popular places to go to find movie reviews before you spend money on watching a flick in the theater. In addition to in-depth reviews and fun ratings, Rotten Tomatoes also includes showtimes, movie news, and movie trivia. Each week, return for a new “What to Watch” roundup.

3 posts we enjoyed:

39. ScreenCrush

@screencrushnews

Although movie reviews and trailers are found here, ScreenCrush is more of a casual browsing site that movie fans can head to when they want entertaining reads about new releases, like behind-the-scenes looks and opinion pieces. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

40. Screen Rant

@screenrant

ScreenRant publishes exclusive movie stories every day, touching on everything from production secrets to things you never knew about your favorite classic movies.

3 posts we enjoyed:

41. Short of the Week

@shortoftheweek

Short of the Week focuses on short films. Filmmakers can submit their short films for review on the site, but Short of the Week also publishes frequent blogs letting readers know about upcoming shorts and opinions of current releases.

3 posts we enjoyed:

42. Slate Movie Blog

@slate

As a publication, Slate centers itself on society and culture. Its Movies section falls right in line, presenting movie news in a way that makes connections to modern society. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

43. Taste of Cinema

@davidcinema

Taste of Cinema is known for its movie roundups, allowing movie fans of practically any genre to discover something new to watch. You can also find roundups of movies by actors and directors and reviews of new and classic movies.

3 posts we enjoyed:

44. The A.V. Club

The A.V. Club is a pop culture digital publication with movie rankings, reviews, and news. Check out the Watch section, too, for quick video blurbs about movie and actor updates.

3 posts we enjoyed:

45. The Film Stage

@TheFilmStage

The Film Stage is a review and news site for independent and international films. You’ll find a lot of festival coverage here, as well as interviews, movie reviews, and interesting closer looks at films.

3 posts we enjoyed:

46. The Guardian Film Blog

@guardian

As a leading news site, you can expect The Guardian to have loads of movie news for you to consume each day, including opinion pieces on new films, news about upcoming releases, and everything you need to know about your favorite movie stars.

3 posts we enjoyed:

47. The Hollywood Reporter

@thr

The Hollywood Reporter really digs its heels deep into Hollywood to bring movie-watching enthusiasts some of the best journalism in the business. This blog is a treasure trove of interviews, in-depth reviews, and intriguing editorials incorporating classics, new releases, and independent films alike.

3 posts we enjoyed:

48. The Movie Blog

@tmb_tweets

Several contributors write for The Movie Blog, offering numerous takes on new movies, production companies, upcoming releases, and more. Stay tuned to the site’s Contests, which occasionally give away movie tickets and premier appearances to lucky readers.

3 posts we enjoyed:

49. Variety

@Variety

Variety offers a variety of information across multiple avenues of entertainment and technology, with film being one of its prime focuses. Find exclusive interviews with today’s hottest actors and first looks at upcoming films alongside movie reviews and news. 

3 posts we enjoyed:

50. We Got This Covered

@wgtc_site

We Got This Covered does have just about everything covered in the movie world with its movie reviews, celebrity interviews, box office updates, and more. We enjoy its ‘Latest News’ pieces that update Marvel, Netflix, and other fans on their favorites.

3 posts we enjoyed:

These 50 top movie blogs only touch the surface of what’s available on the web, but they provide a solid mix of movie teasers, criticism, festival and event coverage, and movie news to keep you updated and entertained. 

If you’re interested in turning your passion for movies into a side gig or career, consider reaching out to movie blogs to become a contributor. Several of them welcome movie enthusiasts as writers. Look for a ‘Write for Us’ page in the menu or the footer of the website, or contact the website to see if it’s open to contributions.

After launching your movie blog, follow best practices such as posting content regularly, engaging with your audience, and installing social media share buttons so your readers can share your content across all their favorite social media networks and help you grow your audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I follow movie blogs? Some of the best movie blogs release new blog posts each day or multiple times a week to update movie fans about upcoming or new releases, celebrity news, reviews, and what’s happening on sets. Consider bookmarking your favorite movie blogs for easy and quick access when you want to catch up.

What are some of the best movie blogs? There are easily hundreds of excellent movie blogs that exist on the internet, but some of the best are those with frequent updates, detailed and fair reviews, and exclusive interviews, including:

Do any movie blogs rank movies? Yes, several movie blogs rank movies in different ways, such as listing the best movies of all time or the worst movies in a specific genre, like comedy or horror. Here are a few movie blogs that rank movies:

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The Best Healthcare Blogs on General Wellness, HealthTech & More https://sharethis.com/website-tips/2023/05/best-healthcare-blogs/ Thu, 18 May 2023 15:21:11 +0000 https://sharethis.com/?p=209252 The healthcare world is perhaps one of the most complex industries today, and the best healthcare blogs serve a valuable role in disseminating technological, medical, and scientific concepts to consumers, providers, and executives. Rapid technology advancements, an increased focus on privacy, evolving policies and regulations, and groundbreaking research keep healthcare in a constant state of […]

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The healthcare world is perhaps one of the most complex industries today, and the best healthcare blogs serve a valuable role in disseminating technological, medical, and scientific concepts to consumers, providers, and executives. Rapid technology advancements, an increased focus on privacy, evolving policies and regulations, and groundbreaking research keep healthcare in a constant state of change, so there’s no shortage of information to discuss.

In this article:

Building an Authoritative Healthcare Blog is Challenging

Building a successful healthcare blog today and growing your audience isn’t easy. Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust) is a concept introduced in Google’s Quality Rater Guidelines, and failing to meet these requirements can have a detrimental impact on search engine visibility.

It’s for good reason; with a sea of inaccurate information to sift through, and it’s difficult to determine what’s accurate and what’s not on blogs, social media, and other communication channels. Furthermore, following inaccurate healthcare advice can have dire consequences. Even for the most trusted authorities in the healthcare industry, reaching the right audience is difficult in the modern world, and the pandemic only complicated matters further.

As such, we set out to identify the top healthcare blogs anyone interested in entering the healthcare blogging space should take inspiration from, such as:

  • Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials
  • KevinMD
  • 33 Charts
  • Health Care Intelligence
  • HealthBlawg
  • HealthTech
  • The Medical Futurist
  • Health Populi
  • Medical Xpress
  • Modern Healthcare
  • …and dozens of others

How We Chose the Best Healthcare Blogs

The following healthcare blogs create content based on comprehensive research that’s carefully cited to enable readers to dig deeper into source material if they choose. They include insights directly from those with the expertise and experiences to share: physicians, healthcare executives, health law attorneys, policymakers, social workers, and other professionals who have a role in today’s complex healthcare ecosystem. And above all, they aim to provide accurate healthcare information their audiences can trust with confidence.

Categorizing healthcare blogs isn’t a simple task, as there’s so much overlap between news, the business of healthcare, technology, research, and policy that every leading healthcare blog touches on all of those facets to some degree. We’ve done our best to group the following leading healthcare blogs into three categories based on their content and the topics they cover:

The blogs are listed in alphabetical order within each category.

The Best Healthcare Blogs

General Health, Fitness & Nutrition

1. Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials
@ClevelandClinic

Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials

The Cleveland Clinic is one of the most widely recognized academic research centers in the US and has pioneered many medical breakthroughs. Patients benefit from Cleveland Clinic’s cutting-edge research, focus on patient-centered care, and access to clinical trials that can’t be found elsewhere.

Cleveland Clinic’s Health Essentials blog is a patient-focused blog providing trusted health information on everything from skincare and beauty to nutrition, allergies, pediatric healthcare insights, and more.

Three posts we like from Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials:

2. Everyday Health
@EverydayHealth

Everyday Health

Everyday Health is a mainstream health and wellness blog with an award-winning editorial team. Adhering to the highest standards for accuracy and objectivity, Everyday Health offers well-researched and sourced content written by experienced and accredited health journalists with insights from its Health Expert Network, a team of medical and wellness experts.

Three posts we like from Everyday Health:

3. Food Politics
@marionnestle

Food Politics

Food Politics is written by Marion Nestle, who has a Ph.D. in molecular biology and an M.P.H. in public health nutrition from the University of California, Berkeley. She’s a Paulette Goddard Professor, of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Emerita, at New York University as well as a Visiting Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell. She’s received numerous honorary degrees and awards and has authored more than 10 books, many of which have earned accolades.

The Food Politics blog focuses on guidance from regulatory agencies related to food and nutrition, research studies on nutrition and health, and everything you want to know about the impacts of diet (and exercise) on your body and overall well-being.

Three posts we like from Food Politics:

4. Frank Lipman MD
@DrFrankLipman

Frank Lipman MD

Frank Lipman, MD is a thought leader on Functional Medicine who takes an integrative approach to address your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social well-being, combining “cutting-edge, modern medicine with age-old healing techniques from the East.” Dr. Lipman has been helping people improve their health and well-being for nearly 40 years. The articles are written by licensed professionals and aligned with Dr. Lipman’s integrated approach and philosophy that “true health is much more than the absence of disease.”

Dr. Lipman’s blog includes articles focused on:

  • Nutrition
  • Gut health
  • Sleep
  • Healthy aging
  • Relaxation
  • Movement
  • Overall health and wellness

Three posts we like from Frank Lipman MD:

5. Harvard Health Blog
@HarvardHealth

Harvard Health Blog

The Harvard Health Blog from Harvard Health Publishing — the consumer health education division at the Harvard Medical School — is one of the most widely-respected blogs in the healthcare space. You’ll find thousands of articles written by licensed professionals and based on up-to-date research and guidance to help you manage every aspect of your health.

Harvard Health Publishing is led by Dr. David H. Roberts, Dean for External Education, and its publications offer expertise from more than 11,000 faculty physicians at the Harvard Medical School.

The Harvard Health Blog covers various health and wellness topics, including:

  • Diseases & Conditions
  • Mind & Mood
  • Child & Teen Health
  • Staying Healthy
  • Men’s Health
  • Women’s Health
  • Exercise & Fitness
  • Nutrition

Three posts we like from Harvard Health Blog:

6. KevinMD
@kevinmd

KevinMD

Kevin Pho, MD founded KevinMD in 2004 and it quickly became one of the leading healthcare publications. KevinMD shares insights and stories from physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients. It covers a range of categories such as:

  • Physicians
  • Practice Management
  • Healthcare Finance
  • Healthcare Policy
  • Health Education
  • Medicine
  • Health Tech
  • Patients

Three posts we like from KevinMD:

7. KFF Health News
@KFFHealthNews

KFF Health News

KFF Health News provides in-depth investigations and feature articles covering how every aspect of the health care system works, from hospitals to doctors, insurers, nurses, insurers, and government. It was founded in 2009 and accepts no advertising.

KFF Health Blog has conducted investigations on private equity in health care, medical debt in America, and pharmaceutical companies’ campaign donations to Congress, among others.

Three posts we like from KFF Health News:

8. Penn Medicine
@PennMedicine

Penn Medicine

In 1751, the nation’s first hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, was founded at the University of Pennsylvania. That was the start of Penn Medicine’s two-centuries long history of innovation and dedication to advancing medicine through research, creating the next generation of leaders in the field of medicine.

Penn Medicine publishes several blogs focused on aspects of healthcare, including:

Three posts we like from Penn Medicine:

9. Quantified Self
@quantifiedself

Quantified Self

An international community of innovators who create self-tracking tools, Quantified Self is one of the most unique blogs on this list. While it’s not entirely dedicated to healthcare, its focus on helping people better understand themselves and their bodies through numbers means it often discusses topics related to improving health and wellness, such as recording symptoms, analyzing self-tracking data for early COVID-19 detection, and so much more.

While the blog is not updated frequently, Quantified Self also has a forum and a space for showcasing projects to explore and converse with other community members.

Three posts we like from Quantified Self:

10. Science-Based Medicine
@ScienceBasedMed

Science-Based Medicine

Science-Based Medicine explores issues and controversies related to the intersection of science and medicine, taking a scientific approach to evaluating treatments and products. Science-Based Medicine is operated by the New England Skeptical Society, described as “a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting science and critical thinking.” This blog often tackles controversial topics, so it’s an interesting read for those who appreciate all perspectives.

Three posts we like from Science-Based Medicine:

11. Scrubbing In
@bswhealth

Scrubbing In

Scrubbing In is a blog managed by Baylor Scott & White Health that shares unique patient stories, healthcare news,, trusted health information, and inspiring patient stores. Scrubbing In celebrated its 10th anniversary in March 2023 and is dedicated to bring valuable health information to consumers from those who work on the front lines of healthcare: registered dieticians and nutritionists, physicians, certified wellness coaches, clinical research coordinators, and other professionals.

Three posts we like from Scrubbing In:

12. Shots
@NPR

Shots

NPR’s Shots blog covers all the relevant healthcare news you need to know as well as advice for staying healthy and coping with various health conditions, news about treatments, the business side of medicine and insurance, health policy, and public health.

Three posts we like from NPR Shots:

13. Well
@nytimes

Well

The New York Times’ Well blog covers all the latest news and insights on health and well-being for consumers, including health tips, information on potential health scams, and general health news.

Three posts we like from Well:

Health IT, Policy & Privacy

14. 33 Charts
@33charts

33 Charts

33 Charts is self-described as “a mashup of curated and original thinking that crosses medicine, technology, and culture. It’s run by Bryan Vartabedian, the Chief Pediatrics Officer at Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin. Vartabedian is one of the most influential thought leaders on the intersection of medicine and technology. You’ll find posts on:

  • Digital health
  • Patient experience
  • EHR/health IT
  • Physicians
  • Patients
  • Future medicine
  • …and more

Three posts we like from 33 Charts:

15. CHIRblog
@GtownCHIR

CHIRblog

CHIRblog is managed by Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reform (CHIR). CHIR’s analysts analyze state action for legal and policy decisions impacting private health insurance markets and conduct insurance market research. The blog covers health insurance coverage, insurance reform, and insurance markets with the goal of making health insurance accessible and affordable for all.

Three posts we like from CHIRblog:

16. Crothall Healthcare
@CrothallHC

Crothall Healthcare

Crothall Healthcare provides healthcare support services — acute care, ambulatory, and children’s healthcare — to hospitals and health systems across the US.

The company’s blog offers a wealth of information in these and related areas, such as clinical engineering, environmental services, facilities management, patient sitter and observation, and patient transportation. The articles include expert insights on solving some of the nation’s most pressing health challenges, policy updates, and more.

Three posts we like from Crothall Healthcare:

17. eHealth
@politico

eHealth

Many news organizations have created dedicated healthcare blogs to cover the rapid pace of change in the healthcare space, and eHealth is Politico’s take on healthcare. Politico is well-known for its coverage of policy and politics, and the eHealth blog follows suit, covering a range of topics on healthcare legislation, policy development, and important healthcare industry news.

Three posts we like from eHealth:

18. Foley & Lardner Health Care Law Today
@FoleyandLardner

Foley & Lardner Health Care Law Today

Health Care Law Today is managed by Foley & Lardner, LLP, described as “a preeminent law firm that stands at the nexus of the energy, health care and life sciences, innovative technology, and manufacturing sectors.” The blog provides expert perspectives on health care law, policy, and their impacts on the industry.

Three posts we like from Foley & Lardner Health Care Law Today:

19. Health Affairs Forefront
@Health_Affairs

Health Affairs Forefront

Health Affairs Forefront is a leading, non-partisan source of health policy news, expert analysis, and commentary. Health Affairs also offers several other media resources, including several podcasts, the Health Affairs Journal, and Health Policy Briefs. The articles span many healthcare topics, including:

  • Government programs and policies
  • Health care finance
  • Public health
  • Biomedical sciences
  • Medicine
  • Technology
  • …and more

Three posts we like from Health Affairs Forefront:

20. Health Care Intelligence
@Sg2HealthCare

Health Care Intelligence

Health Care Intelligence is managed by Sg2, a healthcare intelligence, analytics, and consulting firm. Sg2’s seasoned thought leaders offer expert advice on improving healthcare delivery, health industry news, and policy. 

Three posts we like from Health Care Intelligence: 

21. HealthBlawg
@healthblawg

HealthBlawg

HealthBlawg is the creation of David Harlow, a healthcare leader with experience across business, policy, strategy, and compliance. He’s a well-known thought leader in digital health, data privacy, and the general healthcare industry. The HealthBlawg is one of the most widely recognized blogs in health law and health policy, offering Harlow’s and other experts’ unique perspectives on many healthcare, legal, and policy topics, including: 

  • Big data
  • Diagnostic imaging 
  • Direct primary care
  • EHR
  • Fraud and abuse
  • Open data and open government
  • Population health 
  • Intellectual property
  • …and many others

Many recent HealthBlawg posts are part of Harlow’s “fireside chats” podcast series featuring interviews with innovators, healthcare leaders, and C-suite executives.  

Three posts we like from HealthBlawg: 

22. Healthcare Dive
@healthcaredive

Healthcare Dive

Healthcare Dive offers insights on the news and trends shaping healthcare. The articles are written by Healthcare Dive’s seasoned journalists, and there’s also an Opinion section where healthcare thought leaders share their thoughts on healthcare advancements and industry news. 

Three posts we like from Healthcare Dive: 

23. Healthcare Economist
@JasonShafrin

Healthcare Economist

Jason Shafrin is the founder, editor, and chief writer of the Healthcare Economist blog, which provides “unbiased analysis of today’s healthcare issues,” and his research has been published in various peer-reviewed journals. Shafrin draws on years of experience in the industry and research to cover health technology, healthcare industry news, healthcare costs, policy, and more. 

Three posts we like from Healthcare Economist: 

24. Healthcare Innovation
@HCInnovationGrp

Healthcare Innovation

Previously known as Healthcare Informatics, Healthcare Innovation is a leading publication covering today’s most pressing issues and advances in healthcare, such as: 

  • Population health
  • Health equity
  • Interoperability
  • Clinical IT
  • Analytics and AI
  • Value-based care
  • Cybersecurity
  • Finance and revenue
  • …and more 

Healthcare Innovation is a voice advocating for change in the US health industry from a focus on volume to a focus on value. 

Three posts we like from Healthcare Innovation: 

25. Healthcare IT News
@HealthITNews

Healthcare IT News

One of the most well-known blogs in the healthcare IT space, Healthcare IT News is a leading source of information on next-generation healthcare in the US. Founded in 2003, Healthcare IT News has been offering the latest healthcare industry news and expert insight for two decades. Topics covered include: 

  • Electronic health records
  • Privacy and security
  • Data analytics
  • Patient engagement
  • Population health
  • Cloud computing
  • Government and policy
  • Women in health IT
  • …and more

Three posts we like from Healthcare IT News: 

26. Healthcare IT Today
@HealthcareScene

Healthcare IT Today

Healthcare IT Today is an online-only news blog providing expert analysis and actionable insights on all things health IT. It also offers two podcasts, a healthcare IT job board, and other resources. Topics include:

  • Communication & Patient Experience
  • Genomics – Precision Medicine
  • Telemedicine and Remote Monitoring
  • Regulations
  • Analytics/Big Data
  • AI/Machine Learning
  • EMR – EHR
  • …and more

Three posts we like from Healthcare IT Today: 

27. HealthITAnalytics
@HealthITAnalytics

HealthITAnalytics

TechTarget’s HealthITAnalytics is part of the Xtelligent Healthcare Media network. The nation’s top healthcare providers and subject-matter experts discuss real-world use cases for data analytics in healthcare with an aim to improve both individual and population health while also making healthcare affordable. 

Three posts we like from HealthITAnalytics:

28. HealthITSecurity
@SecurityHIT

HealthITSecurity

TechTarget’s HealthITSecurity, also part of the Xtelligent Healthcare Media network, focuses on the cybersecurity and privacy aspects of healthcare. You’ll find articles from leading experts in the healthcare security and privacy sphere on compliance, patient privacy, data breaches, and, of course, cybersecurity, among others.

Three posts we like from HealthITSecurity: 

29. HealthTech
@HealthTechMag

HealthTech

HealthTech magazine offers expert guidance, news, and perspectives on the intersection of health and technology from every possible angle. You’ll find news updates on data breaches, regulatory and policy changes related to health IT, and innovative technology that could impact healthcare delivery.   

Three posts we like from HealthTech: 

30. HIT Consultant
@hitconsultant

HIT Consultant

Opinions, startups, mergers and acquisitions, research — you’ll find it all at HIT Consultant. Founded in 2012, HIT Consultant provides news, analysis, and insights on all things health IT. The blog also covers C-suite movers and shakers in the healthcare industry, perspectives from thought leaders, and the latest research.  

Three posts we like from HIT Consultant:

31. MassDevice
@MassDevice

MassDevice

MassDevice covers medtech and the medical device industry, including innovators, trends, clinical trial updates, legal and financial news, and everything related to medical devices and how they impact patient care. MassDevice also offers two podcasts and weekly DeviceTalks, “an open platform for the medtech community to forge new connections through shared insights and stories.”

Three posts we like from MassDevice: 

32. Medgadget
@Medgadget

Medgadget

Medgadget is an independent publication from a group of leading physicians and biomedical engineers, bringing together a unique set of perspectives. Founded in 2004, Medgadget is a go-to source for medical device approvals. It also covers discoveries and innovations and exclusive interviews with thought leaders in the medtech space. 

Three posts we like from Medgaget: 

33. MobiHealthNews
@MobiHealthNews

MobiHealthNews

MobiHealthNews published its first article in January 2009 and has since grown to become one of the most authoritative resources on digital health, emerging trends, health news, and innovation. In 2009, MobiHealthNews was acquired by HIMSS Media, a subsidiary of HIMSS. MobiHealthNews publishes new articles daily, covering all the latest in digital health tech. 

Three posts we like from MobiHealthNews: 

34. Sheppard Mullin Healthcare Law Blog
@SheppardMullin

Sheppard Mullin Healthcare Law Blog

Sheppard Mullin is a law firm providing legal counsel to healthcare providers, institutions, payors, and other healthcare organizations. The Healthcare Law Blog draws from the team’s extensive expertise to cover breaking industry news, expert legal analysis, and more. 

Three posts we like from Sheppard Mullin Healthcare Law Blog: 

35. The Health Care Blog
@THCBstaff

The Health Care Blog

The Health Care Blog covers the business of healthcare, innovations in the healthcare industry, healthcare policy, and medical practice. Featuring articles from various influential voices in healthcare, The Health Care Blog has earned accolades for its authoritative content. 

Three posts we like from The Health Care Blog: 

36. The Hill Health Care
@thehill

The Hill Health Care

The Hill is a well-known blog covering congressional news and legislation, policy related to the environment, technology, and other pressing topics in today’s world. The Hill’s Health Care blog is an authoritative resource on healthcare news and regulations. If you want to stay up-to-date on all the hot-button issues in the healthcare world, The Hill Health Care is a must-read.  

Three posts we like from The Hill Health Care: 

37. The Medical Futurist
@Berci

The Medical Futurist

The Medical Futurist covers all the things you need to know to keep your finger on the pulse of the future of healthcare. Its founder, Dr. Bertalan Meskó, PhD, is a physician with a PhD in genomics and has given more than 500 presentations, including courses at Harvard, Stanford, and Yale. The Medical Futurist is where he shares his unique analyses and insights. 

Three posts we like from The Medical Futurist: 

38. USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy
@BrookingsInst

USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy

Experts from the USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy aim to “advance the national health policy conversation through innovative ideas and timely, evidence-based analysis.” The blog features insights, analysis, and recommendations from health policy thought leaders.

Three posts we like from  USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy:

Healthcare News, Trends & Research

39. Becker’s Hospital Review
@BeckersHR

Becker's Hospital Review

Becker’s Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing media platforms in the healthcare industry, and Becker’s Hospital Review is just one of several digital publications. The blog covers a breadth of topics, from health equity to patient experience, legal and regulatory news, oncology, telehealth, and every business angle in the healthcare world. 

Three posts we like from Becker’s Hospital Review: 

40. Fierce Healthcare
@FierceHealth

Fierce Healthcare

Delivering healthcare news on healthcare policy and business, Fierce Healthcare offers breaking industry news, exclusive interviews with healthcare thought leaders, and well-researched stories delving into the impact of healthcare industry changes.

Three posts we like from Fierce Healthcare: 

41. Health Populi
@healthythinker

Health Populi

Health Populi covers the healthcare ecosystem and the people who are a part of it. Author Jane Sarasohn-Kahn, MA, MHSA, is a health economist, advisor, writer, and speaker who works with stakeholders spanning the healthcare ecosystem in the US and Europe. 

Three posts we like from Health Populi: 

42. Hospital & Healthcare Management

Hospital & Healthcare Management

Hospital & Healthcare Management is a leading B2B print magazine published three times annually and digital media platform for the healthcare sector. The blog publishes informative articles that span both ends of the healthcare facility procurement supply chain. You’ll find: 

  • Research Insights
  • Technology Trends
  • Industry Reports
  • Case Studies
  • Healthcare Industry News
  • …and more

Three posts we like from Hospital & Healthcare Management: 

43. MedCity News
@medcitynews

MedCity News

An authoritative online news source for healthcare innovations, MedCity News offers breaking news and analysis and perspectives from thought leaders on new technologies, emerging companies, policies, and trends. Their content spans the entire healthcare ecosystem. Additionally, MedCity News hosts conferences around the US on the latest and most-pressing topics in the healthcare space. 

Three posts we like from MedCity News: 

44. Medical Xpress
@medical_xpress

Medical Xpress

Medical Xpress is part of the Science X Network. Reaching a global audience of 10 million monthly readers, the Science X Network publishes more than 200 articles daily to provide comprehensive coverage of scientific and technology developments around the world. Medical Xpress aims to discover and investigate compelling research, providing a trusted news source for the intersection of science, technology, and medicine. 

Three posts we like from Medical Xpress: 

45. Modern Healthcare
@modrnhealthcr

Modern Healthcare

Modern Healthcare is the top digital publication read by healthcare executives, covering insights on the business of healthcare, policy news, research, information, and in-depth analysis. More than just a blog, Modern Healthcare also offers a print magazine, newsletters, mobile products, and events to empower readers with the knowledge they need to understand how news, trends, and innovations impact their organizations. 

Three posts we like from Modern Healthcare: 

46. On Health
@BioMedCentral

On Health

On Health is part of BioMedCentral’s (BMC) blog network, bringing together news, opinions, and various perspectives. The On Health blog covers research published across BMC’s health science journals, such as Reproductive Health, Particle and Fibre Toxicology, and others. You’ll find expert commentary on the latest healthcare news, discussions on industry conferences, and more. 

Three posts we like from On Health: 

47. On Medicine
@BioMedCentral

On Medicine

On Medicine is another blog that’s part of BMC’s network, offering analysis and opinions on the latest research published in BMC’s medical journals, such as BMC Medicine and Genome Medicine. BMC has over 75 open access medical journals spanning clinical practice, experimental and translational research, and more, so On Medicine is an excellent read for those who want to stay up-to-date on the latest discoveries and advances in medicine. 

Three posts we like from On Medicine: 

48. ScienceDaily Health & Medicine News
@ScienceDaily

ScienceDaily Health & Medicine News

ScienceDaily covers the latest news about recent discoveries across sectors like science, healthcare, and technology. Stories are posted daily on news and insights from scientific journals, universities, and research organizations. Its health news coverage includes dozens of topics spanning health and medicine, mind and brain, and living well categories, such as:

  • Allergies 
  • Cancer
  • Cold and flu
  • Headaches
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Intelligence
  • Stress
  • Child development
  • Nutrition
  • Relationships
  • Elder care
  • Medical devices
  • Brain injury
  • …and more

Three posts we like from ScienceDaily Health & Medicine News: 

49. The Atlantic Health
@TheAtlantic

The Atlantic Health

The Atlantic is a well-known news organization, offering a robust health blog that covers all the latest advances in healthcare and medicine. Founded in 1857, The Atlantic aims to exchange ideas across ideological lines, pursue the truth, and disrupt consensus from a non-biased perspective. 

The Atlantic’s Health section dives deep into the most consequential issues in the health sphere today, from COVID-19 to public health, food and nutrition, addiction, weight loss, and more. 

Three posts we like from The Atlantic Health: 

50. The Washington Post Health

@washingtonpost

The Washington Post Health

Like The Atlantic, The Washington Post is one of the most widely-recognized news organizations in the US. Founded in 1877, its mission is to pursue the full truth on issues and affairs of America and around the world. Its Health section covers four main categories,  including: 

  • Health Care
  • Medical Mysteries
  • Science
  • Well + Being

From the business of healthcare to public health information, compelling health stories, and the latest research, The Washington Post Health is a robust resource for all the important healthcare news of the day. 

Three posts we like from The Washington Post Health: 

These 50 leading healthcare blogs are among the most informative and authoritative resources in the healthcare industry. Technology advances at a rapid pace, and in an era of constant change, healthcare blogs you know you can trust play a crucial role in keeping consumers, providers, and healthcare executives up-to-date on all the innovations, policies and regulations, the latest research, and practical, actionable health and wellness advice.

If you’re working on growing your healthcare blog, the healthcare blogs listed above are great models you can take inspiration from. While it’s vital to ensure that your content meets Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust) guidelines, there are some simple strategies you can implement today. Install social media share buttons on your blog and start growing your audience by allowing your readers to share your quality healthcare insights with their social media networks.

The post The Best Healthcare Blogs on General Wellness, HealthTech & More appeared first on ShareThis.

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GA4 Custom Dimensions (Definitions & Metrics) Guide https://sharethis.com/website-tips/2023/03/ga4-custom-dimensions-definitions-metrics-guide/ Tue, 28 Mar 2023 17:20:36 +0000 https://sharethis.com/?p=208881 If you search for “GA4” on Twitter, you will quickly learn that a lot of marketers are frustrated and confused by various elements of Google Analytics 4 (and feel as though they need to have an advanced degree in Google Analytics to get basic information that was once readily available in Universal Analytics). Many GA4 users […]

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If you search for “GA4” on Twitter, you will quickly learn that a lot of marketers are frustrated and confused by various elements of Google Analytics 4 (and feel as though they need to have an advanced degree in Google Analytics to get basic information that was once readily available in Universal Analytics). Many GA4 users have installed the gtag and created a profile, but haven’t gone so far as to create a new analytics dashboard, dug much more into how GA4 works, or looked at how to get the most out of it.

While custom dimensions have been around for a long time and were a component of Universal Google Analytics, it’s an area where GA4 users have some confusion.

In this post, we’ll walk you through:

  • What custom dimensions are
  • When you’d need to use them (and when you wouldn’t)
  • How to set them up and leverage them in reporting

By the end of the post, you’ll know when and how to use custom dimensions in Google Analytics 4.

What Are Custom Dimensions in GA4?

A custom dimension is a user-created dimension in Google Analytics 4. Dimensions in Google Analytics 4 are attributes or metrics that are associated with your analytic data. 

This means dimensions (and custom dimensions) are additional data to add context (an additional dimension) to your reports. There are a number of dimensions that Google tracks and allows you to layer into reporting by default that – if you’re familiar with either Universal Analytics or GA4 – you’re likely familiar with such as:

  • Campaign or campaign ID
  • Traffic source
  • Google Ads Query
  • Item names for products
  • Geo (city, state, country)
  • Time (day, month, year, hour)

You can see the full list of dimensions available by default in GA4 but hopefully this gives you an idea of the types of things that would qualify as a dimension. 

Custom dimensions are dimensions you create to help you track specific characteristics of either events or users to help aid your reporting. Here are some examples of things you may want to create a custom dimension for:

  • A view of a specific page
  • A click on a specific link (on multiple pages, a specific page, or a collection of pages)
  • A download of a specific file

Again it’s an attribute – an additional data point associated with either a specific event or user – that gives additional context and insight into your reporting. 

Why and When Do You Need Custom Dimensions?

You would want to create a custom dimension if you want to be able to see something specific in reports such as:

  • Users who click on the “request a demo” button from your site’s top navigation (so that you can find out eg which pages this happens most frequently on)
  • Users who visit articles written by a specific author (to see what actions come from that content)
  • Users who viewed a thank you page after completing a form

And you can create custom dimensions around event or user based scopes. This means you can create a custom dimension that applies to an event (a characteristic of an event – such as a specific type of link click) or a user (a characteristic of a user – such as demographic data you’ve collected that’s separate from standard dimensions, eg the user’s profession).

GA4 Custom Dimension Limits (or Quotas)

Google recommends you use the standard dimensions before creating a custom dimension (in other words you don’t need to try to create a custom dimension for something that’s already tracked by GA4, and in fact you may muddy your reporting).

Google also recommends you avoid “high cardinality custom dimensions” which are custom dimensions with over 500 unique values (e.g. an item ID that could be any of over 500 unique item ID numbers).

Keep in mind that you have account limits on the number of custom dimensions you can create, specifically:

ItemStandard property limitsAnalytics 360 property limits
Event-scoped custom dimensions50125
User-scoped custom dimensions25100
All custom metrics50125

GA4 Custom Dimensions Vs. Custom Metrics Vs. Custom Definitions

Google uses these three terms frequently within their interface and documentation, and they can be a bit confusing. Here are the distinctions:

  • Custom Definitions – This is the area within Google Analytics where you can create custom dimensions or metrics.
  • Custom Dimensions – Again these are event or user based attributes that we described above.
  • Custom Metrics – These are metrics that aren’t tracked by default. Rather than an attribute to apply to a metric (e.g. users who viewed X page) custom metrics are metrics in and of themselves (such as phone calls).

How to Create Custom Dimensions in GA4

To create a custom dimension in GA4, you start by navigating to Admin and then selecting Custom Definitions:

A screenshot of how to create custom dimensions in GA4.

One important note here is that you must be an editor or an admin in the analytics property you’re in – if you’re not seeing these options we’re highlighting as we walk through it may be because you don’t have the proper permissions (and/or if you have access to multiple GA properties, make sure you’re in the right one!).

From there, you can create a custom dimension from the Custom dimensions tab:

A screenshot of custom definitions being created in the GA4 interface

Next, you’re going to actually create the dimension by choosing:

  • Dimension Name – Don’t use dashes (underscore or space is fine) and make this something descriptive that you and your team will quickly recognize in reports.
  • Scope – Again this will be event or user based depending on what you want to track.
  • Description – This is just some additional information for anyone looking at this dimension and trying to get a better sense of what is being tracked – be as descriptive, clear, and concise as you can here.
  • Parameter – The parameter for your custom dimension comes from an event parameter. This can be triggered within your website or app, within Google Analytics, or within Google Tag Manager. You need to have an event parameter created that you can reference here before you create a custom definition.
A screenshot of the screen to create a new custom dimension in GA4

Once you’ve completed adding this information, you click save and can see your custom dimension:

A screenshot of adding custom dimensions in your GA4 profile.

If you haven’t created any event parameters for your custom dimension in your GA4 account, we’ll cover that shortly.

How to Edit a Custom Dimension in GA4

If you have your custom dimension set up and want to edit the name or description, you can do that from within the Custom definitions area:

A screenshot of how to edit a custom dimension in GA4

You’re not able to edit the parameter or scope, however, so if you want to make changes to those you’d need to delete the dimension and create a new one.

How to Delete (Archive) a Custom Dimension in GA4

Deleting a custom dimension is a very similar process – you click archive from the same area above, then are prompted to confirm that you want to archive (or delete) the dimension:

A screenshot of how to delete (or archive) a dimension once it's created.

How to Create Event Parameters

If you’re creating a custom dimension but don’t have the event parameter set up to feed the dimension, you can create the parameter a few different ways:

  • Create an event parameter within Google Analytics
  • Create an event parameter on your site (from within the code of the site)
  • Create an event within Google Tag Manager (by creating a trigger and tag)

Once you’ve completed any of these you can then use the event parameter to populate in your custom dimension.

Custom Dimensions & Google Tag Manager (GTM)

If you’ve created a custom event trigger in Google Tag Manager, you need to feed the event parameter into your custom dimension to have the event start to show in certain GA4 views and reports.

Custom Dimensions in GA4 Reporting

You can see your custom dimensions primarily in reporting views that display events, such as: Reporting > Engagement > Events in the left navigation within GA4.

Create Your Own Google Analytics Dashboards

If you’re struggling with certain aspects of GA4 and find looker studio too complicated, you may want to use a third-party dashboard to help you monitor key metrics.

For WordPress users, the ShareThis Google Analytics Dashboard for WordPress can help you monitor your traffic and engagement for free with just a few clicks.

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A/B Statistical Significance Calculators in Excel https://sharethis.com/website-tips/2023/03/a-b-statistical-significance-calculators-in-excel/ Thu, 23 Mar 2023 17:40:41 +0000 https://sharethis.com/?p=208898 If you’re building split tests for anything from conversion optimization to tests for social media platforms (like A/B tests on Facebook) or SEO click-through rate optimization, it’s important to understand not only what to test (through things like a list of A/B testing examples), but how to measure whether your hypothesis was confirmed. Part of […]

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If you’re building split tests for anything from conversion optimization to tests for social media platforms (like A/B tests on Facebook) or SEO click-through rate optimization, it’s important to understand not only what to test (through things like a list of A/B testing examples), but how to measure whether your hypothesis was confirmed.

Part of that is knowing whether a statistical sample you’ve gathered for an A/B test is statistically significant. There are a variety of ways (including third-party statistical significance calculators) to get to this answer, but in this post we’ll walk through how to determine this specifically with Excel.

What is Statistical Significance?

Statistical significance is a concept used to determine the likelihood that a relationship observed between variables in a marketing campaign is genuine and not just a random occurrence. 

In simpler terms, it helps marketers understand if their strategies have a real impact on key performance indicators (KPIs), such as:

  • Conversions
  • Click-through rates
  • Or customer engagement

When analyzing campaign results, marketers often use statistical tests to compare data sets and identify patterns. 

A p-value is obtained, which represents the probability of observing the results if there was no actual relationship between the variables. 

A lower p-value (typically below 0.05) indicates stronger evidence of a significant relationship.

In a marketing context, achieving statistical significance ensures that decisions made on the basis of campaign data are more likely to yield positive outcomes and that the results can be confidently attributed to the strategies implemented rather than random chance.

Why is Statistical Significance Important?

Statistical significance can impact your company’s marketing and testing efforts in a number of ways, including:

  1. Validating marketing efforts: By determining if observed results are due to strategy implementation or chance, marketers can gauge the effectiveness of their campaigns.
  2. Guiding decision-making: Achieving statistical significance helps marketers make data-driven decisions with confidence, enabling them to allocate resources more efficiently and optimize their strategies.
  3. Minimizing risk: Understanding statistical significance reduces the likelihood of acting on false positives, which can lead to wasted time and resources on ineffective campaigns.
  4. Enhancing credibility: Demonstrating statistically significant results lends credibility to marketing claims, fostering trust among stakeholders and clients.
  5. Supporting continuous improvement: By identifying significant relationships between variables, marketers can refine their campaigns and drive better results over time.

How to Build Your Own Calculator in Excel

We’ll link to some pre-built Excel calculators below, but if you’re looking to build your own, here are some step-by-step instructions you can follow to build your own calculator:

Step 1: Set up your spreadsheet

Create a new Excel workbook and label two sheets as “Calculator” and “Data.”

In the “Calculator” sheet, create headers for “Variant A” and “Variant B,” along with labels for “Visitors,” “Conversions,” and “Conversion Rate.”

Step 2: Enter your data

In the “Data” sheet, record the number of visitors and conversions for each variant (A and B) of your test.

Create a formula in the “Calculator” sheet to calculate the conversion rate for both variants by dividing the number of conversions by the number of visitors.

Step 3: Calculate the standard error

In the “Calculator” sheet, create a formula to calculate the standard error for each variant using the formula: =SQRT((Conversion Rate*(1-Conversion Rate))/Visitors).

Step 4: Calculate the test statistic (Z-score)

Determine the Z-score by subtracting the conversion rate of Variant A from that of Variant B, and then dividing the result by the square root of the sum of the standard errors squared.

Step 5: Calculate the p-value

Use the =NORMSDIST() function in Excel to find the p-value associated with the Z-score calculated in Step 4. If the p-value is less than 0.05, the difference between the two variants is considered statistically significant.

FAQ #1: What Is the P-Value & Why is it Important for Statistical Significance?

A p-value is like a test score that tells us if something special is happening or if it’s just random. If the p-value is small (usually below 0.05), it means that the special thing we’re seeing is probably not just a coincidence, so we can trust the results more.

FAQ #2: What is the Z-score & Why is it Important for Statistical Significance?

A Z-score is like a measuring stick that tells us how far away something is from what’s normal or expected. It helps us figure out if the difference we see between two things is really special or just happened by chance. This helps us make better decisions based on what we learn.

Free Excel & Google Sheets A/B Statistical Significance Calculator

A/B testing statistical significance calculator - a screenshot of the Excel spreadsheet.

VWO offers a ready-made calculator that you can access here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QaTLG9UNF7L25BXqCWBvXx3auTniDb9IvF6KmUOB2B8/edit#gid=0

Unlike the DIY steps outlined above, the end result of this calculator will allow you to simply input the number of visitors and conversions for both the control and variation groups. 

The calculator then automatically computes the significance, p-value, z-value, and other relevant metrics for your A/B tests, whether they’re related to ads, websites, or any other split tests.

Will These A/B Statistical Significance Calculators for Excel Work in Google Sheets?

Both the instructions for the DIY calculator and this VWO calculator will work in Google Sheets as well. The VWO calculator is available as a Google Sheets version at the link above. For the Google Sheets version, you need to make a copy of the sheet into your own Google account before you can edit it.

The Right Tools For The Right Jobs

One important element of A/B testing is making sure you have the right capabilities (testing software, design and development resources, etc.) for the tests you want to create.

If what you’re looking to optimize for in your A/B tests is increased social shares or site engagement, our free website tools might be the perfect A/B testing idea for your site.

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GA4 Custom Events: How to Track and Report https://sharethis.com/website-tips/2023/03/ga4-custom-events-how-to-track-and-report/ Tue, 21 Mar 2023 17:16:27 +0000 https://sharethis.com/?p=208889 As more and more website owners and marketers are transitioning to do all of their reporting in GA4, a lot of people are asking questions about how to execute certain tasks and pull over the reporting they were used to in Universal Analytics, feeling as though they need a custom Google Analytics dashboard or an […]

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As more and more website owners and marketers are transitioning to do all of their reporting in GA4, a lot of people are asking questions about how to execute certain tasks and pull over the reporting they were used to in Universal Analytics, feeling as though they need a custom Google Analytics dashboard or an advanced GA4 certification to understand how to use the platform.

Google has described GA4 as being “events based” so understanding custom events is obviously critical on the new platform. In this post we’ll walk through what custom events are, how to set them up, how to view them in reports, and how to update them if you need to.

What Are GA4 Custom Events?

According to Google, a custom event in GA4 is:

“an event that has a name and set of parameters that you define. A custom event lets you collect data that Analytics doesn’t otherwise collect automatically or recommend.”

Google defines events in GA4 broadly as an “interaction or occurrence” happening on your site, and as you might have guessed from GA4 being event and parameter based, virtually every website interaction falls under the “event” umbrella in the new platform.

Some events are what Google designates as default or “automatically collected events” which are events that are pre-configured by Google which will show up in your analytics account – you guessed it – by default.

Custom events, then, are events you need to configure on your own to measure specific interactions. 

Examples of Custom Events in GA4

There are a variety of things you can create custom events around. Many of them will be points of conversion (downloads, form completions, etc.) and others may be custom engagement metrics you want to track (such as number of pageviews for a user, activity associated between a specific action and specific page path, etc.)

Here are some common examples of custom events in GA4:

  • Button clicks
  • Form submissions
  • Video interactions
  • Scroll depth
  • File downloads
  • Social media interactions
  • External link clicks
  • Product interactions
  • Custom search
  • User sign-ups

Again, custom events allow you to measure specific interactions on your site along these lines.

How to Set Up Custom Events in GA4

Once you’ve determined what you actually want to track and the specific custom event you want to create, an important thing to note is that there are two fundamental ways to create custom events in Google Analytics 4: with Google Tag Manager or in the Google Analytics interface.

We’ll walk through the process of setting up custom events via each method.

Setting Up Custom Events with Google Tag Manager

Setting up a custom event in Google Tag Manager is a multi–step process that will require the proper access to create tags and triggers in Google Tag Manager, as well as access to GA4 to create custom dimensions.

You can follow the standard process within Google Tag Manager to configure both a tag, and a trigger that’s associated with that tag that will trigger the tag.

This is a good walk-through of how to set up a tag in GTM:

From there, you then go back to the GA4 interface to set up a custom dimension so that an event will be triggered within GA4. 

First, navigate to the admin area in GA4:

Navigating to the admin area of GA4 to start to create a custom event

Then, click custom definitions and select the create custom dimensions button:

Creating a custom dimension in GA4

Then, you can assign your dimension name and description, and also highlight the parameter you created for your tag in Google Tag Manager.

If you’re looking to troubleshoot whether your event is set up correctly, you can check by using Google tag assistant and GA4’s debug mode after you run through the process of completing the process the event is attempting to measure.

Setting Up Custom Events with Google Analytics 4 (Directly in the Interface)

Setting up a new event within GA4 can be completed in a few steps.

First, navigate to the admin section of GA4:

Navigating to the admin area of GA4 to create a custom event within GA4.

Assuming you have the proper permissions, you can then navigate to the events and click create:

Creating an event in GA4 - the first step.

Then, click create again:

Clicking create to create a custom event - step 2.

Once you click create, you’ll be taken to the screen where you can name your new event and configure the parameters you want to have in order for the event to fire:

Adding custom event details - name, parameter, etc. - step 3

When you create an event directly in GA4, you don’t need to create a custom dimension for it. As with events set up via Google Tag Manager, you can check to see if the event is firing properly by using Google tag assistant and GA4’s debug mode.

Custom Event FAQs

Here are a series of commonly asked questions related to custom events:

What Are Automatically Collected Events in GA4?

Automatically collected events are predefined events that are captured by default in GA4. These events include pageviews, scrolling, site search, video engagement, and outbound clicks. These events are automatically tracked by GA4 as long as the GA4 tracking code is installed on your website or app.

Automatically Collected Events vs. Custom Events: What’s the Difference?

The difference here is obviously that automatically collected events are set up within the default version of Google Analytics for each account, while custom events are events you can set up (either in Google Tag Manager or Google Analytics) to measure specific interactions on your site within your own GA4 profile.

What Are Enhanced Measurement Events in GA4?

Enhanced measurement events are events that are automatically tracked by GA4 when specific conditions are met. These events include file downloads, outbound clicks, video engagement, and scroll tracking. Enhanced measurement events can be enabled in the GA4 settings under the “Data Streams” section.

Enhancement Measurement Event vs. Custom Events: What’s the Difference?

Enhanced measurement events are specific variations of automatically collected events that can be turned on or off with in a Google Analytics profile, while custom events are events you set up deliberately within your Google Analytics account.

What are recommended events in GA4 and how do I use them?

Recommended events are a set of predefined events that are recommended by GA4 for tracking common user interactions. These events include “View Item,” “Add to Cart,” “Initiate Checkout,” and “Purchase.” Recommended events can be added to your GA4 implementation through the “Events” section in the GA4 interface.

Why are my GA4 Custom Events not showing up in my reports?

There could be several reasons why your custom events are not showing up in your GA4 reports. Some possible reasons include incorrect implementation of the custom event tracking code, a delay in data processing, or incorrect filtering or segmentation settings in your reports. To troubleshoot this issue, check your implementation, wait for data to be processed, and check your filters and segments in your reports.

What is the JavaScript Code Required for GA4 Custom Event Tracking?

The Javascript code required for GA4 Custom Event tracking is the “gtag()” function. This function sends event data to your GA4 account and can be customized to track specific user interactions. Here is an example of the “gtag()” function for tracking a custom event:

gtag(‘event’, ‘custom_event_name’, {

‘event_category’: ‘category_name’,

‘event_label’: ‘label_name’,

‘event_value’: 10

});

Is there a limit to the number of custom events I can create in GA4?

There are a number of limitations within GA4 related to custom events, a few to be aware of:

  • You can only create up to 500 events
  • You can only use up to 50 custom dimensions and metrics
  • Event Name Length is Max 40 characters
  • Length of Event Parameter Names Max 40 characters
  • Length of Event Parameter Values Max 100 characters
  • Number of Event Parameters Per Event Max 25
  • Registered Custom Conversion Events Max 30

How do I use the dataLayer for GA4 Custom Event tracking?

To use the dataLayer for GA4 Custom Event tracking, you can push custom event data to the dataLayer using the “dataLayer.push()” function. This data can then be captured by the “gtag()” function and sent to your GA4 account. Here is an example of pushing custom event data to the dataLayer:

dataLayer.push({

‘event’: ‘custom_event_name’,

‘category’: ‘category_name’,

‘label’: ‘label_name’,

‘value’: 10

});

What are event parameters in GA4 Custom Events and how do I use them?

In GA4 Custom Events, event parameters are key-value pairs that provide additional information about the ways users interact with your website. These parameters describe the event in more detail and allow for more granular analysis of event data. By default, automatically collected and enhanced measurement events include parameters, and Google provides a set of required and optional parameters for each recommended event. You can also add more event parameters when needed. 

To set up event parameters, you can use the gtag() function with the event command and include the parameter key-value pairs in the third argument. 

Additionally, you can update the config command in the Google tag snippet to send parameters with every event on the page. 

By using these parameters, you can see your events and their parameters using the Realtime and DebugView reports in Google Analytics, allowing you to analyze your data and gain insights into user behavior.

Create Your Own Google Analytics Dashboards

If you’re struggling with custom events in GA4 (or any aspect of GA4 or looker studio generally) you may want to transition to a ready-made Google Analytics dashboard.

If you’re using WordPress, the ShareThis Google Analytics Dashboard for WordPress can help you monitor your traffic and engagement for free with just a few clicks.

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25 (Stealable) A/B Testing Examples & Ideas for 2023 https://sharethis.com/website-tips/2023/02/25-stealable-a-b-testing-examples-ideas-for-2023/ Thu, 23 Feb 2023 19:30:39 +0000 https://sharethis.com/?p=208644 A/B testing can be a relatively quick and effective way to increase lots of leading KPIs like opens or clicks as well as conversions, revenue, improve conversion rates, and profits. Most businesses want more of these things, of course, but many struggle with what to test. Spending a lot of time testing the wrong things […]

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A/B testing can be a relatively quick and effective way to increase lots of leading KPIs like opens or clicks as well as conversions, revenue, improve conversion rates, and profits.

Most businesses want more of these things, of course, but many struggle with what to test.

Spending a lot of time testing the wrong things can lead to multiple issues:

  • Money wasted on inefficient / under optimized ad spend
  • Money left “on the table” in the form of traffic that would have converted better but didn’t
  • A lot of design / creative / development resources expended on a test that has no impact (or even under-performs the control)

In this post, we’ll walk through 50 examples and ideas for A/B tests. Some of these will be real-world examples of tests with data and creative, while others will be ideas for areas you might consider testing across landing pages, website design, ad campaigns, email, and even product design.

Real World A/B Testing Examples

  1. Long vs. Short Landing Pages (Data 36)
A screenshot of long versus short copy that was tested in an a/b test.

Data 36 had a 6-week online data course and had a sales page for the course. It was 1500 words long and had one embedded video.

To test against this first page, they created a much longer landing page:

  • Focusing on answering specific questions they knew students had and clarifying language around specific things they knew students found confusing about the landing page (two great ideas for things to test!).
  • The new version was 4,000 words with 4 embedded videos.

After 3 weeks version B (the longer page) showed a 96% increase in conversions (or roughly 2x!)

  1. 3D Product Image vs. Product Video (Guess the Test)
A screenshot of the 3D product image and video versions of a page being tested against each other.

Manly Bands and conversion optimization expert Rich Page decided to test two different variations of a product page for a ring: an interactive 3D image as well as a video of the product.

The results were interesting:

  • The 3D image increased conversions versus the prior design (a static image) by 33.76%, yielding 10s of thousands of additional sales during the test period
  • While the video also outperformed the conversion rate of the prior design (2.54% vs 2.37%) it lost to the 3D image (3.17% conversion rate)

The hypothesis for the test was based on user data that suggested people wanted to be able to see and manipulate images of a ring before purchase (which certainly seemed to be confirmed by the test!)

  1. With or Without Customer Selector Pop Up (Guest the Test)
A screenshot of two versions of a page being split tested: with and without a pop-up.

NatWest, a UK bank, wanted to test whether a persona pop up asking visitors questions about themselves and showing them a custom experience based on their answers would cause visitors to go deeper into their site.

They set up this test to determine CTR and engagement with and without the pop up.

The test was interesting:

  • Version B or the traditional landing page was a somewhat narrow winner! 
  • A 39.8% versus 39.64% conversion rate (with a conversion rate being a click) resulted in a 90% confidence win for version B

It’s always important to keep in mind: hypotheses aren’t always right! Controls do win A/B tests!

  1. Testing Video on Product Detail Pages (Convert.com & Mad Rabbit)
A screenshot of a test variation including video on a product page.

Mad Rabbit tested layering a product video on its product detail page. The video showed the product in action and provided more information about Mad Rabbit’s after tattoo care product. 

The video was presented as a floating video with an option to expand in the lower right corner of the PDP. The PDP + video out performed the traditional page:

  • Lifting session duration by 76%
  • Improving conversion rate by 8%

Mad Rabbit then rolled out floating videos on each of their PDPs after the test.

  1. Human vs AI Generated Headline (Guess the Test)
A screenshot of two versions of a page using human-generated and AI-generated headlines in a test.

This is a good example of a test with “mixed results”:

  • The human headline out-performed on engagement metrics like time on site and pages viewed
  • The AI headline outperformed on down-funnel conversion metrics for this car dealership like credit applications and get financing inquiries, but was a narrow and not statistically significant winner there.
  • The human headline won on metrics like appointment and view vehicle options

  Having your goals clearly defined and understanding which metrics are most important to impact on tests where multiple actions and metrics are available is a key component of A/B testing, as these results show.

  1. Home Page Redesign by Groove
A screenshot of a home page versus a totally updated version of the same site's home page that were featured in an A/B experiment.

After a lot of work talking to customers and refining their value proposition, story, and messaging, Groove revamped their home page:

  • Conversions nearly doubled!
  • After the large win, Groove created a culture of testing and designed a number of additional A/B tests around things like headlines, shorter home page designs, calls to action, etc.

Again test ideas with a hypothesis based on user data and data in general can often be high-impact.

  1. Home Page Design Tests (Crazy Egg & Wall Monkeys)
A screenshot of the heat map for a home page that was redesigned based on this heat map data.

Wall Monkeys used heat map data to create a series of home page tests to optimize conversions:

  • First, after noticing users were ignoring their hero image, they tested a more fun product-focused image. This lead to a 27% increase in conversion.
  • Next they swapped out the slider on the home page which was also being ignored with a search bar. This was the big winner, leading to 550% increase in conversion rate!

This is a good reminder to:

  • Use data to drive your testing theses
  • Think about UX features (like search versus a slider or browsing options) that may be more user-friendly
  • Run multiple tests when you have multiple viable ideas – you don’t know which will provide the biggest results!

  1. Landing Page Optimization (Marketing Experiments / Healthspire)

Healthspire made additions to an underperforming landing page, specifically putting a simple value proposition front and center on the page and de-emphasizing a break down of available products and plans.

The new approach in the form of a longer landing page with more value copy won the test with a 638% increase in leads!

  1. Adding Content Before Checkout (Marketing Experiments / iReach)
A screenshot of a redesigned version of a conversion process where more product options were offered to segment users.

iReach created a different conversion flow, adding content towards the beginning of the checkout process that segmented users, showing them specific content after they visited the first page via a clear product matrix

The results of the test were positive:

  • Conversion increased by 31%
  • Revenue increased by 38%

Creating a custom experience / conversion flow is something that’s often overlooked as a testing option but can be a powerful lever.

  1. Create Multiple Options for Rented List (Marketing Experiments / Sermo)
A screenshot of data from a test of multiple options versus a single options in an Email

Sermo was sending Emails to a rented list. They noticed that tests that featured different content types in their Emails to the rented list led to varied conversion rates, so they hypothesized that people’s biggest driver for converting or not may be the content option.

To cast a wider net with each Email, they decided to try giving multiple content options rather than one with each send.

The treatment with multiple options resulted in a 197% increase in 2nd visit Email captures, meaning the conversion rate for visitors who came to the site twice (their most valuable segment) went up 197%.

Honing in on the real reason for variance in conversion rates led to a profitable test hypothesis here.

  1. Mobile CTA Testing (HubSpot)
A screenshot of the winning mobile CTA from HubSpot's mobile CTA test.

HubSpot wanted to increase conversion on mobile visitors to their blog. They created multiple variations to run in multiple A/B tests, looking at the options for visitors to interact with the mobile CTA, specifically:

  • Maximize / minimize options so readers could dismiss the CTA
  • An X to close the CTA entirely
  • No option to maximize or minimize the CTA

The results yielded a lot of data about visitor behavior:

  • The maximize / minimize option saw a 7.9% increase in conversions
  • The ability to the close the CTA saw an 11.4% decrease in conversions 
  • And not offering a way to manipulate the CTA saw a 14.6% increase in conversions

The last variation was a winner, and yielded an estimated 1300 extra conversions a month.

Device-specific testing can be a great way to improve usability and conversions, particularly if you have a mobile experience that’s been underserved as that traffic increases.

  1. Email vs. In-App Test (HubSpot)
A screenshot of the winning Email template from HubSpot's Email vs. in-app test.

HubSpot again wanted to test performance for a specific offer, this time looking to test the effectiveness of gathering user reviews in-app versus via Email.

They tested:

  • Plain text versus a certificate-style Email
  • Then Email versus an in-app notification

In-app notifications seemed to go overlooked, and Emails generally performed 1.4x better, with Email getting more opens and more reviews.

  1. Adding Social Proof (Comscore / Optimizely)
Images of multiple variations of a landing page where comScore set up a CRO test of a more prominent logo and testimonial.

comScore wanted to test the placement and design of a popular customer logo and testimonial on their product pages. 

Conversion rate of the product pages increased 69% by featuring this social proof more prominently on the product page.

  1. Mini Cart Redesign (VWO / GRENE)
An image of a winning mini-cart design with an extra CTA towards the top of the mini-cart.

GRENE wanted to increase the click-through rate to their shopping cart. 

To accomplish this they tested an updated design of their “mini-cart” or the drop down users see when they mouse over the cart icon, adding a CTA to the top of the cart as well as the bottom of the cart to make sure users were aware of how to transition to the cart page.

They saw increases in visits to cart pages, overall ecommerce conversion rate, as well as average order values.

  1. Demo Page Logo Colors (VWO / Workzone)
A screenshot of a landing page where logo colors were muted to focus more on the page's call to action.

WorkZone wanted to increase conversion on their demo page. They had a thesis that the customer logos tied to testimonials next to their form were too prominent and potentially distracting from the desired action.

They tested a page with the customer logos in black-and-white, making the demo form and submit button pop versus the muted logos.

The change resulted in a 34% increase in form completions!

  1. Product Page Text & Image Tests (Zalora / VWO)
A screenshot of a design with a more prominent focus on price and less focus on special offers like free shipping.

Zalora updated the order and emphasis of elements on their product pages, as well as pictures. 

Particularly looking at:

  • Making the word free more prominent
  • Adding free return language right next to the price

A variant emphasizing free returns and free delivery for orders above $150 that also deemphasized the placement of item price produced a 12.3% increase in orders placed.

Prominence and ordering of different wording and information can have a large impact on conversions.

  1. Landing Page Layout Test (Ubisoft / VWO)
A screenshot of an updated landing page where scroll was reduced.

Using heatmap and visitor data and surveys, Ubisoft generated a hypothesis that reducing the up and down scroll on landing pages would increase conversion.

They created a version of the landing page where certain information that had been below the fold on the landing page was pulled up next to other information to limit scrolling.

Lead generation increased 12% with the new design.

The layout of a page and how quickly you introduce various options and information can be a great area to create a testing hypothesis, particularly if it’s based on user data.

A / B Testing Ideas

Specific examples are great for spurring your own testing creativity, and knowing the actual numbers for tests above can be helpful too, but obviously single anecdotes may or may not be applicable to your site and your business.

Even more important than these specific examples, however, is having your own process and methodology for testing. 

That means things like the nuts and bolts of setting up tests and statistical significance, but it also means having a process for generating ideas to test

Looking at things like:

  • Data you collect from chat and survey tools
  • Information you have or are able to collect about the demographics, goals, and priorities prospects and visitors to your site
  • Funnel data about where your site visitors (and/or the folks on your list in the case of Email) are getting stuck or dropping off

And then applying those insights to a fresh look at different elements of your conversion flow, landing page, Email, etc. can lead you to strong hypotheses about what may work better than what you’re currently doing.

That’s what you’re really looking for.

Let’s walk through some of those areas you may want to apply data and hypotheses to in your site or business.

  1. Delivery Mechanism

If you have an offer, CTA, or content being delivered one way you might consider presenting it to visitors via a different mechanism.

For example: a banner you have in-laid within content may perform better as a popup (or vice versa – or both!)

There are lots of different ways to deliver messaging and offers:

  • In images versus HTML / text
  • Different types of pop ups (exit vs. scroll vs. entrance vs activity-based)
  • Different Email elements like countdown timers, GIFs, image vs. text)
  • Different shapes for elements like pop ups

Again whatever test you run should be driven by an intuition or insight you have about your prospects and visitors. Maybe a different delivery mechanism will be better for your visitors on certain devices, or you have a sense that your audience hates pop ups, or you have reason to believe your prospects will respond to urgency, etc.

  1. Layout

Layout and design is of course what a lot of people think about when they think about conversion optimization, and there are a lot of different options for things to test here as well such as:

  • Emphasis on different elements
  • Order of when information is presented
  • Integration of different elements like trust, social proof, etc.
  • Usability improvements like making forms simpler, eliminating steps in conversion, etc.
  • Using design and layout to make things clearer – eg re-working the display of pricing tiers and features

Chat and survey tools as well as heat map and analytic data can give you a wealth of ideas of what to test here.

  1. Copy Length

Another tried and true test element is the length of copy. Testing whether layering in lots of social proof, objection answering, FAQs, etc. performs better than a shorter, sweeter value proposition is often a good idea. 

Scroll and dwell time data, information about how much research your prospects do or don’t do, the priority of customers and prospects, or insights into how customers want to interact with your brand can help inform tests here.

  1. Focus of Copy

The nature of your Email or landing page copy is another natural element to test. 

This could be small tweaks like wording and emphasis, or whole-cloth messaging changes. Here you may consider:

  • How much you’re focusing on benefits, testimonials and social proof, specific pain points, and detailed information about an offering (dialing one or more of these up or down)
  • How you’re positioning your offer
  • What specific benefits you’re making most prominent (eg price, ease of use, etc.)

Understanding what your prospects and customers are most concerned about and want from your product or service is key here, so customer data, surveys, market research, etc. can help inform these test ideas.

  1. Content Medium

The use of images, video, or text can be a great element to test. You may consider:

  • Adding an explanatory video to content
  • Adding a video testimonial
  • Having the same basic content represented via text, a visualization, and a video
  • Adding or removing any of those elements 
  • Making one or more of those elements more or less prominent on the page

Thinking about the device your prospects consume your content on, the type of media that demographic typically prefers, the best fit for the traffic you’re driving (channel-specific), and the best fit for your most powerful message are all good ways to think about what may be a winning test.

  1. Call To Action 

The placement, wording, visualization (button versus text link versus banner, etc.), of your CTA presents an obvious and often simple thing to test.

  1. Offer

Rethinking the offer you have on a landing page itself can be a worthwhile test. This may fundamentally change a lot of what you have on a page if you’re testing a demo versus a white paper, or you may just tweak the offer and the positioning of the offer (eg the offer is still a demo, but you’re running a test with a gift card offer and a specific guarantee versus a traditional demo offer).

Where your traffic is coming from (the channel and the users’ likely experience with your brand – eg a test of social media traffic coming from Facebook or similar versus Google Search), conversion of your different offers across your site and other channels, or insight into hurdles to conversion to that offer specifically for your prospects can help inform these tests.

  1. What Your Users Tell You To Test!

Mine your data! Looking at your customer surveys, website surveys, user testing, analytics, etc. will often surface a story about what might be a conversion blocker on your site. Follow the data to find new things to test!

The Right Tools For The Right Jobs

One important element of A/B testing is making sure you have the right capabilities (testing software, design and development resources, etc.) for the tests you want to create.

If what you’re looking to optimize for in your A/B tests is increased social shares or site engagement, our free website tools might be the perfect A/B testing idea for your site.

The post 25 (Stealable) A/B Testing Examples & Ideas for 2023 appeared first on ShareThis.

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