Category: Dev & Design

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WordPress Plugins

4 WordPress Plugins to Make Your Blog More Powerful

Starting a blog is one thing, but making it successful requires a lot of creativity and dedication. The blog is considered as an integral part of the lead generation process because it not only converts a random person to a potential lead but also helps him make better decisions.  It is due to the reason famous B2B companies Cloudways and Design Mantic believes in doing effective blogging. These companies are not only writing blogs to promote their services. But, they are producing remarkable content to quench the thirst of their prospects. And, this is where WordPress serves as a tremendous CMS. If you are running a WordPress-hosted blog and looking for results-driven plugins, then you have reached the right place. Here, I will reveal some of the most amazing WP plugins that will take your blog to the sky in no time. So, here you go… All in One SEO Pack If you are eager to make your blog successful, make sure to satisfy search engines. However, it is only possible if you are using an appropriate SEO friendly plugin for your WP hosted blog. Despite of hundreds of plugins, I prefer All in One SEP Pack. The reason is quite obvious. It is easy to use, extremely effective and helps in optimizing the content through brilliant use of targeted keywords. Therefore, if you haven’t been optimizing your blog for search engines, then it is a perfect time for you to download this plugin for better outcomes. Akismet When running a blog, it is extremely essential for you to keep it protected against spammers. Because once you become the victim, you will have to go through some serious problems as far as the rankings and traffic is a concern. To help resolve this issue, Akismet is a highly recommended anti-spam plugin for WP users. The best thing about this plugin is that it picks the spammers quite early and stops them make any unwanted activity within the blog. It is because of this reason I would suggest you install Akismet to your blog right now. SumoMe Running a blog without social sharing buttons is like writing a book and keeping it at home. Remember, attracting thousands of visitors to a blog won’t maximize the effect until you install a social sharing plugin. For this, I would strongly advise you to use SumoMe. Industry influencer and a great human being Jeff Bullas also use SumoMe to help his readers share valuable content across all the gigantic social platforms quite easily. So, what are you waiting for? Hello Bar I believe that there is no other plugin better than Hello Bar for generating leads. I have been using this plugin for quite some time and it really helped me improved the figures quite drastically. There are two factors that make Hello Bar a legit choice for lead generation. The first one is its compatibility with WP and the second one is its attractive interface. If you are desperately looking to attract more potential customers, then I would suggest you use Hello Bar as a vital source. Read More: 7 Reasons Why You Should Be Using A CDN With WordPress WordPress Developer: Job Profile And Key Responsibilities Bloggers, Beware! Blogging Mistakes You Should Avoid

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UMDP Data Standardization

Tech Challenge for Lenders – UMDP Data Standardization to Aid Closing

The mortgage industry overhauled its processes and technologies with the TILA/RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) Act rolling out. Technology initiatives that created competitiveness between banks soon became the norm. Compliance needed to move north. Now, automation has made paperless mortgage a reality with loan origination software, retail point of sale, customer-direct solutions, and electronic documents providing complete end-to-end support. Regulations are constantly changing and lenders, still in their TRID hangover, need to do more. What is UMDP? In the pre-recession era (before 2008), borrower and loan information was sourced and stored by different agencies. Siloed information hindered different players from accessing true data and it was usually shared by email. This resulted in errors and insufficient access to data in the banking system. Uniform Mortgage Data Program (UMDP) is the last leg to the realization of the electronic mortgage. Just as TRID brought in enhanced data quality in the origination, UMDP will improve data standards in closing disclosures and data interpretation. Government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) have indicated, come 2017, they will refuse to buy loans that fail to conform to the Uniform Closing Dataset (UCD) standard. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is directing government-sponsored agencies (GSEs) to create a common approach, protocol, and data set for mortgage data. The common data set, which is understood by all, will improve data accuracy. Definition ambiguities of loans purchasable by GSEs can be avoided. The lenders can capture granular data of a particular standard. The Uniform Collateral Data Portal (UCDP) will be one electronic portal through which all lenders can submit appraisal data. The Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD)will provide common definitions and requirements of appraisal data. The Uniform Mortgage Servicing Dataset (UMSD) will define the data set with standardized definitions, formats, and values. The Uniform Closing Dataset (UCD) will provide standard data for the closing disclosure form. UMDP may have bestowed the entire industry with mortgage data becoming uniform and accurate, but the upgrades rigmarole still worry lenders. However, GSEs have chosen to be capable of verifying underwriting data and audit data anytime. Customer preference lies with a seamless closing process and the impetus for lenders will be to transition into e-mortgage. Fannie and Freddie have already announced that they will purchase loans if the appraisals were submitted electronically and met the UAD standard. Technology vendors are already ensuring that their solutions transform appraisal information into data compliant with the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO). Manual processes are slowly fading and lenders are going to cloud-based mortgage origination and servicing software. The entire process needs to be seamless to ensure compliance from origination to closing. Today, the challenge for loan origination software is compliance, but tomorrow the focus will be imminently on collaboration. It will be important to have data which can be shared and understood by all. Standardization helps loan originators and customers to access data from diverse sources and interpret them effectively. Data standardization is the key driver for e-mortgage and paperless origination and closing. UMDP will be the “new normal” and help the industry to standardize their processes for better visibility and faith in the system. Preethi vagadia is a business architect worked in Mortgage and Finance software department with top notch companies and has over 8 years of experience in Mortgage Lending Technology,Mortgage Technology software, mortgage management software, etc.  She has also worked on several process improvement projects involving multi-national teams for global customers in warranty management and mortgage.

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Questions To Ask When Working With A Web Developer

I've been a web developer for 5 years now. There's quite the learning curve with web design, even AFTER school. You have to deal with customers, you have to manage expectations and deadlines, you have to manage your billing and finances, all of which were not included in the code and design classes that I took. This is just the business side of things, as you can probably tell I'm a little taken aback by it all. But then there's the coding aspect of the business. The coding side of things is where I really excel. I love being a web designer. Making websites look and perform great has really turned into a passion of mine. But I've noticed that a lot of developers out there struggle with a lot of aspects of being a professional web designer. Let's face it, a lot of developers produce work that is not up to par. Either they have designs that are super basic and lame, or the websites are not made to meet your goals and help your business. any of these issues could be bad for a new business that will be relying on their website for leads or a professional presence. I've outlined the following questions to help you better understand what you should be looking for when you are going to work with a web development company or freelancer. As a business owner, It is important that you ask these questions before you pay someone for their services. 1. Do you have live examples I can see? I  am amazed at how most people either have a problem they need solved or they have an expectation or design in mind, but they never ask to see examples. Everyone's idea of "great" is different. It's important to see examples of their work and judge if they would be a good fit for you. If there are concerns, asking the developer questions is a good way to address them. 2. Do you have a degree in web development? When? How do you stay up to date This is an important question, and just as important is asking them when they did if they did. There are a few great selves taught web developers out there, who learned from non-traditional means. The most important information that this question will give you is in the third part. Web development is not a static skill set. It changes fast and often, and someone who has incorporated constant learning about their field into their work or life routine will improve your odds of getting some of the best developers. 3. What kind of web development do you focus on? This can mean a ton of things. But, if you explain your needs, like a high converting website, for example, the right developer for you will already have a few live examples to show you. "yea, I can do that" is not the right answer, the process and skill set for focusing on conversions need to be already developed, as well as deployed, tested, and documented. I hope this will help when you're choosing a web design and development professional to work with. This is a great start towards making sure you get the quality of work you desire and need, as well as getting your website and business goals met. Read More:  Best Office Design Trends For 2018 Top 5 Graphic Design Trends For 2017

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