For the millions of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across the world, staying competitive in today’s fast-paced market requires more than just hard work; it demands adaptability and a forward-looking mindset. Rising costs and shifting consumer expectations are creating new hurdles, but they also offer opportunities for growth and innovation.

For companies to succeed, they must be able to deliver value to their customers. This entails having a deep understanding of their clients' needs and interests by collecting and segmenting customer data. However, they should first ensure that they are compliant with data privacy laws to avoid corresponding fines and penalties.

According to the cliché, one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But in marketing, looks do matter. Having an attractive website design is often your first opportunity to make a good impression on potential customers. So if your site’s looks aren’t up to par, visitors may close the web tab and you lose the chance of making a sale.

As businesses continue to use more apps and tools that allow them to collect, store, and process customer information, the amount of data in their systems grows exponentially. However, not all of the collected information is important or even useful.

In a recent survey of 1,800 customers, 42% said they’re “very unlikely” to purchase from ugly websites. That’s not so surprising. After all, there are plenty of competitors’ websites that are more visually appealing and user-friendly that they can visit.