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5 Freelancing Mistakes To Avoid

5 Freelancing Mistakes To Avoid
Mohab Guest Posts, Social Commerce 0

5 Freelancing Mistakes To Avoid

Have you struck out on your own and become a freelancer? There are more people than ever before working for themselves, thanks to the pandemic and a real rethinking of work should be. As such, there are new freelancers out there such as yourself that may be making common mistakes. Here are some of the mistakes you should be avoiding as a freelancer, and how to do so.

1- Starting Off Without Savings

One of the first things you should have in place as a freelancer is savings. When you’re working for yourself, you won’t have the security of an employer paying your wages for you, on time every month. If you have a dry spell, you need to be able to cover your expenses. So many freelancers start out without having that in place.

As a freelancer, it’s advised that you should have around three to six month’s worth of funds saved up and ready to use, should you need to. If you’ve already started and haven’t got those funds, you can start saving now as the sooner you start, the better. As you’re most likely working on your own, you’ll have small overhead costs so you should be able to do this.

2- Going With The First Customers You See

As you’re a freelancer now, it’s so easy to start taking on any work you can get. After all, you don’t want to go a day or week without work coming in, so it’s tempting to take work even if it’s not your forte. That’s a mistake for new freelancers though, as it dilutes your work, and you’ll likely be taking on work you’re not enthusiastic about.

If you do need to keep work coming in you can take the first client you see, but you shouldn’t make it a habit. You should look for clients whose interests and values align with your own.

3- Not Charging Enough

This is is such a common mistake that so many freelancers make. As you’re brand new to the business, you feel as though you should charge less so you can get those customers. However, as the saying goes, if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. Some customers may even avoid you, as they’ll feel those low prices are suspicious.

Do your research, and find out what your work is worth. “It’s so important not to underprice yourself” says Anna Stevens, a freelance writer at OXEssays and Revieweal. “Good customers will understand the importance of paying for good work.”

4- Not Being Strict On Payments

Another common issue freelancers have is getting payments on time. It’s so common for invoices to be sent out, and you’ll be waiting for payment weeks or even months later. That means that you have to keep chasing those payments up, which takes precious time.

There are ways you can get around this. Putting payment time frames into your invoices is one way of getting paid on time. Using an online payment gateway like Paytabs is another, as all payments can be handled on one platform. Ensure you’re strict about getting payment on time, so you don’t miss out.

5- Not Managing Your Time Well

Now you’re a freelancer, you’re the only person responsible for the way you manage your time. As such, time is very much money, and you need to ensure that you’re managing your time correctly. If you have periods of time where you’re not actively working on projects, then that will affect your bottom line.

“There are lots of ways that you can manage your time as a freelancer” says Adrian Savidan, a business blogger with Assignment Service and Stateofwriting. “You’ll need to find the method that works best for you.” For example, only accept realistic deadlines, and ensure that you take breaks so you don’t burn out as you’re working.

These are some of the most common mistakes that new freelancers are making right now. As a newcomer to this way of working, use the advice here to take care of yourself, and ensure that you get the most out of the work you do. Avoid these mistakes and you’ll be ready to rise to the top.

Madeline MillerMadeline Miller
Madeline Miller is a writer with Education Essay and Essay Help. where she covers freelancing and time management. She’s also a blogger for Big Assignments.

3 years ago
Which One is Better - Omnichannel or Multichannel Transactions?
Mohab Payment Orchestration 0

Which One is Better - Omnichannel or Multichannel Transactions?
Customer experience in 2022 has drastically changed from what it was just a decade ago. People are now buying their favourite products directly from the store, through their smartphones, from their laptops, and even with the help of voice assistants. Basically, there is more than one channel for selling products as well as accepting payments from the customer. Which brings us to the concept of omnichannel and multichannel transactions.

In the world of eCommerce, multichannel and omnichannel are two buzzwords that are used a lot, and often synonymously. While both these methods have the basic principle of using multiple channels to engage with customers, there is a key difference between them. They are both different strategies for marketing products and communicating with customers.

But before we dive into omnichannel vs multichannel, and debate on which one is better, it is important to understand what these are and what they represent at their core.

Multichannel Transactions

Simply put, multichannel transactions give your customers the ability to pay for something in different ways. For instance, a person can walk into the store, choose a pair of shoes and pay for it through their credit card at the counter. Alternatively, they can open the website of the store, order the same shoes and pay for them digitally. They can even hop onto an eCommerce marketplace to buy the same shoes and pay cash on delivery when the order arrives.

Omnichannel Transactions

One thing that is lacking in a multichannel transaction system is the integration among channels. And that is the problem that an omnichannel system solves. Consider the above example. Imagine that the user orders a pair of your shoes from an eCommerce marketplace. Upon receiving, they don’t like the fit or has some other issues with the shoes and wants to return them. In an omnichannel transaction setting, the customer can simply walk to their nearest store with the shoes, show the cashier the order invoice, and either return the shoes or get a replacement pair.

This seamless integration among different channels enhances the shopping experience of the customer and offers them easy buy, pay, and return options.

Omnichannel vs Multichannel Transactions

There are a few main differences to consider while choosing between omnichannel and multichannel systems. These differences revolve around the purpose and aim of these techniques.

● Customer Focused vs Channel Focused

A key difference between omnichannel and multichannel transactions is their primary focus. While omnichannel transactions aim at providing a seamless experience to customers, multichannel transactions aim at providing different methods for a customer to pay.

Multichannel transactions provide several options to every customer when it comes to paying for something. Be it online, credit card, debit card, cash, digital wallets, or something else. The focus is to retain the customer and ensure that they don’t abandon a deal due to lack of payment options.

Omnichannel, on the other hand, is more focused on customers and how they can engage better with your business. It enables customers to move from one channel to another without any kind of friction. The focus is on the customer and ensuring that there is no break in their experience. This way, if a customer buys something online but wants to return it in person, they won’t face any issues due to a change in the channel or the payment mode.

● Customer Experience vs Customer Engagement

One of the most fundamental differences between both omnichannel and multichannel is that, while an omnichannel transaction is done for improving customer experience, a multichannel transaction is done for increasing customer engagement.

Multichannel transactions try to reach out to as many potential leads as possible to try to convert them into customers. It employs the use of different payment modes, be it digital or traditional, to make sure that more and more people can do business.

On the other hand, omnichannel transaction delivers a consistent experience to customers who already know about the business and have engaged with it on previous occasions. This form of transaction won’t care about whether the customer bought the shoes from a store, website, or on a sale online. It will rather focus on providing a superior customer experience by capturing transaction details and past orders from different channels.

● Quality vs Quantity

While multiple channels are great for engagement, they can cause a problem when it comes to providing guidance and support. Which means, a customer who buys a product through a third-party eCommerce platform won’t find any support from the brand as it was not bought from their channel. The same can happen for unsuccessful payments, with payment being deducted but the order not getting placed, because the channels are not integrated with each other.

In an omnichannel transaction system, customer conversations and interactions are stored, so that they can be served properly and efficiently. No matter which channel or medium they use to buy a product, their information will be captured in the company’s CRM and will be available to support executives to be used as a reference.

Which is Better?

So, when it comes to omnichannel vs multichannel, both have pros and cons. Multichannel transactions may be more convenient for customers, as they can choose the channel that best suits their needs. Omnichannel transactions, on the other hand, provide a more seamless and integrated experience for customers.

Ultimately, the best approach for your business will depend on your products, services, and target market. If you’re selling products that are best purchased in-store, then a multichannel approach may be ideal. If you’re selling services or products that can be purchased online or through a mobile app, then an omnichannel approach may be the way to go.

Whatever method you choose, remember that having a robust payment solution is vital for your business. in this regard, PayTabs is one of the best omnichannel payment solutions available and will help you provide a seamless experience to your customers and sell your products or services across the world.

3 years ago
Paymes: Social Commerce Made Easy!
Mohab Guest Posts, Social Commerce 0

PayTabs has introduced a revolutionary way for freelancers and independent sellers to get paid for the work that they do. Introducing Paymes, a social commerce platform launching across the MENA region.

A PayTabs company, Paymes has become an important staple in the gig economy as it helps freelancers and micro merchants:

  • Receive instant payments over social media platforms
  • Provide quick services to consumers
  • Turn talent and ideas into profit, AND
  • Help kickstart your business

So, what’s all the hype behind Paymes? We’ll show you!

About Paymes

“PayTabs saw that many entrepreneurs and freelancers were struggling to receive payment for their hard work,” says Joe Alvarez, a project manager at Paper Fellows and State of writing. “They saw that making a living on your terms was what made the world go round. Paymes is a global payment platform that lets people and businesses – including startups – receive payments and conduct electronic commerce. This takes the guesswork out of setting up payments, figuring out budgeting requirements, or even knowing much about commerce.

Who Paymes Is For

As mentioned, the gig economy will greatly benefit from this unique social commerce tool. In fact, Paymes is ideal for the following gig businesses and gurus:

  • Freelancers
  • Small and micro business owners

The Benefits

Believe it or not, Paymes comes with great benefits. Here are some, just to name a few!

  • Sell more, and get paid instantly
  • Have peace of mind through a single, secure platform
  • Build your online store, and sell your products and or services on the go
  • Get paid via Link or QR
  • No need for time-consuming forms or documents – paperless is the way to go!

Product

With Paymes, you have access to various products. Such products include:

  • Payments made when users click on a link (created and shared by you)
  • Payments made when users scan a QR code (that you create and launch)
  • Payments made in-store
  • A micro eCommerce site
  • A Paymes card, AND
  • Marketplace

As you can see, Paymes is there for you, as you offer your products or services, and receive payments instantly.

Creating Your Shop With Paymes

Paymes is free to set up. During setup, you can:

  • Add inventory, including:
    • Products/services
    • Description, AND
    • Pricing
  • Brand your store
  • Enable shoppers to add their favorite products from store to cart
  • Enable shoppers to complete delivery details
  • Create a secure checkout, etc.

Getting Paid With A Created Link

Now that shoppers are satisfied with their shopping experience, they want to buy now. That’s why it’s important to give them a secure checkout. You can share a secure payment link over nine different social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram.

With a created link, you can upload the following:

  • Photos of the product or service that the shopper wants to purchase
  • Description of said product or service, AND
  • The pricing

Once you share the payment link with the buyer, you’ll receive payment once the buyer enters their credit card information.

Getting Paid With A QR Code

“Nowadays, QR codes have made it easier for people to access a website on the go, without having to stop and type in a link,” says Edgar Winston, a business writer at Boomessays and UK Writings. “With Paymes, freelancers can accept contactless payments with a static QR code. This allows for smoother transactions, as customers tend to want quick service. All you have to do is fill out your product details, update your QR code, download it, and then share it with your customers.”

Conclusion

Ultimately, Paymes is your go-to Commerce tool. Want to build and run your business the right way? Then check out Paymes, and let your entrepreneurship and other business endeavors take off!

Sara SparrowSara Sparrow
Sara Sparrow is a writer and editor at Write my essay and Case study writing service. She is also a contributing writer at OX Essays. As a content writer, she writes articles about marketing, freelancing, and coding.

3 years ago
Popular eCommerce Payment Methods that are Revolutionizing Transactions Worldwide
Mohab Ecommerce 0

Popular eCommerce Payment Methods that are Revolutionizing Transactions Worldwide

Up until the 18th century, people used the bartering system to pay for goods and services. Fast forward a couple of centuries, and today, anyone can roam the world without so much as a wallet on themselves. Buying any product and paying for it has become extremely easy, thanks to countless eCommerce stores and the wide variety of payment methods available. So, if you are running an eCommerce company and wish to offer simple and smart offline and online payment methods to make shopping enjoyable for your customers, this article is for you.

Here is a look at some of the popular payment methods used in eCommerce. You can adopt some or all based on your requirement.

Cash

This is the original payment method and the only one that was used for a long time before credit cards, debit cards, and online payments took over. It is one of the simplest payment methods unless someone needs to hunt for change. Offline payment methods like cash might be slowly losing their monopoly but are still extremely helpful in developing nations where digital payment systems have not become mainstream. A customer can simply order something from your eCommerce store and pay for it in cash after delivery. This is especially a great option for those customers who are not too tech-savvy or confident about making payments online.

Credit Card

Credit cards are one of the most popular types of payment methods used in the eCommerce industry for both customers as well as business owners like you. Credit cards are safe to use and very secure, ensuring that only the holder can use them for any transactions. The card number, card holder’s information, and CVV numbers provide three layers of protection and can help your business in detecting fraud as well.

With advancements in technology, just a swipe or tap of the credit card allows the user to pay for anything they want at an offline store. And online, they just need to enter a few details like card number, name, CVV etc. to carry out the transaction. Apart from their ease of use and convenience, credit cards provide a lot of benefits to users as well. They often give discounts or cashback for every purchase and have reward points to encourage people to spend more, and it helps improve the credit score of an individual or a business as well.

Debit Card

Debit cards are the second most preferred payment method after credit cards. This is mostly because a debit card allows users to spend only that much money that is available in their account and that money is also debited instantly. Unlike credit cards, where users often have a limit higher than their actual pay, and they need to pay for it after the billing period. Some credit cards also provide an EMI option to pay their dues, which a debit card can’t provide. However, many people continue to use a debit card as their primary mode of payment wherever they go. Which means, enabling your business to accept both debit and credit card payments is a wise move.

Bank Transfer

Direct bank transfers are also a popular payment method, especially if you are a new age eCommerce company that ships worldwide but don’t have a robust and international payment setup yet. In case of bank transfer, users need to fill in the account details for whom they want to pay and then confirm the transaction from their own bank account, limiting the chance of false authorization.

But while the transfer method is safe, there are a lot of scammers around the world who try to dupe customers by providing false account details, so that they receive the payment in their account rather than the business. Bank transfers can also take a lot of time and are dependent on how the banks are performing. So, if a customer sends you money on a bank holiday, it might not get processed that same day.

App Payments

This is perhaps one of the fastest-growing online payment methods across the world. App payments and digital wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay and more have become popular, thanks to their convenience and ease of use. So, it makes sense for your business to have such options. With these apps, users don’t need to carry cash, cards, cheque books, or even their wallet. They can just use their smartphone to pay for any product or service, be it in-store, online, or offline.

Payment interfaces like UPI make it easier for everyone to pay for a product. All they need to do is scan a QR code, enter someone’s mobile number or VPA ID, and it’s done. In fact, several eCommerce companies have realized the benefits of app payments and have started providing their own payment service to users free of cost. You can follow suit too.

Cheques

Even though cheques are rarely used for making simple eCommerce transactions, it is still a viable offline payment method. It is especially helpful if yours is a business that has merchant accounts that generally rely on cheques for offline transactions. But you need to make your business ready to accept electronic cheques or E-cheques as well.

Wrapping Up

In today’s age, customers are spoiled for choices when it comes to payment. They are no longer dependent on cash transactions and hope that an e-store can provide them with multiple payment modes.

So, now, as an eCommerce store, you need to keep an eye on multiple payment sources to have clear visibility of how your business is performing. Managing the flow of money efficiently is important as your customers are paying in cash or via credit cards, debit cards digital wallets, cryptocurrencies, e-cheque or other payment methods.

This is the reason why a payment gateway solution like PayTabs can come to your rescue. It can not only help you accept payments via different modes safely, quickly and effectively, but also keep track of every transaction, no matter which payment method is used. PayTabs is an easy to use, convenient, and secure payment gateway that allows your customers to pay for your products in various methods and helps you monitor your finances easily.

3 years ago