Common Types of Businesses that Failed in 2020

The pandemic has changed the dynamics for a lot of businesses. According to Yelp’s data, in San Francisco Bay Area alone, there were approximately around 2000 businesses that closed permanently. And this isn’t exactly an isolated case.

Some countries have already fallen in to recession. And since the vaccine is not exactly something that would instantly make the virus disappear, a lot of businesses were forced to close. Many are losing their jobs because of this. Here are some of the businesses that failed in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Gyms

The gym can be considered a hotspot where you can get the virus. Today, a lot of people are doing their workouts at home. This prevents them from breathing the same air as other gym-goers. Unfortunately, a lot of gyms closed all over the world. Many of these gym owners decided to call it quits and cut their losses. Though some gyms are allowed to open, they were only allowed to have at least 50% capacity. And for a lot of gym owners, this isn’t something feasible especially when the rent is at a normal rate.

Restaurants

Restaurants are another business that has been affected by the pandemic. Consider yourself lucky if you have a restaurant that is still running to this day. A lot of these restaurants are struggling to pay the bills and keep their employees considering the significant decrease of people eating in restaurants. The good news is that some restaurants have shifted towards delivering food to their customers instead of them eating inside the restaurant.

But still, a lot of restaurants either closed or decided to let go of some of their employees to stay afloat.

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Bars

Whether it’s in South Korea or other parts of the world, bars can be considered a hotspot. Could you imagine drinking during weekends? With disregard for social distancing when you are out partying, bars are not allowed to open during the pandemic.

Manufacturing

If you have a startup and you have an OEM partner in China or India, don’t be surprised if there are delays. A lot of these factories have also adapted to the new normal. Some cities have adapted lockdowns that most of these factories are closed and failed to operate.
Companies such as Apple have suffered from these delays. Phones are made from China and since China was at the epicenter of the Covid19 pandemic, many of these factories failed to meet their obligations on time.

Transportation

The transportation sector has also been affected. With people staying at home, taxis, busses, and trains have significantly decreased in the number of passengers. And this isn’t exactly surprising given the initiative of authorities to lessen the number of people moving around to slow down the spread of the virus.

A lot of businesses have been affected by the current pandemic. Businesses are closing left and right. Though the internet has helped a lot of businesses to adapt to the new normal and stay afloat, expect the economy worldwide to not look good. It will take some time before things go back to how it is.

Strategies on How Not To Get Scammed Online

One of the things that came with internet access is the number of people getting scammed. Almost annually, we get a lot of new scams reported to authorities. Unfortunately, as technology advanced, some of these scams became sophisticated to the point where people end up helpless.

If you are someone who wants to stay safe online, here are some strategies to stay safe. Her, you will be able to have a better understanding of how the internet is not a safe as you think.

Create Strong Passwords for Different Accounts

One of the biggest blunders that people make is not taking their passwords seriously. In reality, you can get hacked if you are using generic passwords. It is important to mix numbers and special characters if you are going to create a password. The best practice is to write everything on a piece of paper where you keep it at home. This will be a good way to make sure that you also don’t get to forget your password.

And also, be sure that you are going to notify your phone if someone starts to log in on your social media or your emails.

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Only use your devices to log in to your accounts

If you are going to use another person’s laptop or phone, be sure that you are not logging in to your social media or on your email. Make sure that you are going to only trust your device. You never know if you accidentally saved the password on the person’s device. This will become tricky especially when you are dealing with someone who wants to take a peek at your messages or on your accounts.

Invest in malware and antivirus

It is also a good idea that you invest in antivirus and malware to protect your information. This will prevent people from spying on what you are doing. The malware will do its job to eliminate things that can compromise your privacy.

Have files saved in a hard drive

You just can’t trust the cloud when it comes to information that will reveal your address and other personal info. What you want is to save it in your hard drive. You can have it backed up by another hard drive. And also, why not have it password protected as well. This can help you have peace of mind.

Don’t download apps that aren’t trustworthy

You want to make sure that you are only going for trustworthy apps. Also, make it a habit to read the terms and conditions before you even agree to download it. There are instances when the apps can compromise your information. TikTok, for instance, can gain access to your clipboard. If you happened to be copy-pasting your information such as your password and your email, then the app can access these things.

Don’t just trust a stranger online

If you receive an email from someone who you don’t know, be sure that you exercise caution. There are instances when they are simply trying to fish information and trying to get some cash or worse steal your identity.

Ways to Fight Back Against the COVID-19 Virus

In times of pandemic, it is important to always check your health. If you are immune compromised, there is a higher chance of mortality. With the COVID-19 spreading across borders because of our ability to travel across the world in large groups, everyone needs to check their health. What are ways to fight back against the virus?

Maintain good hygiene

First, it has been established that the COVID-19 virus can spread via droplets. Though updated studies are saying that it can spread via airborne, which means that the virus is suspended for a much longer period in the air. Apart from that, you can also get the virus from your hands when you touch objects that has the virus. This is why you want to maintain good hygiene. Hand washing can destroy the virus.

Carrying your bottle of alcohol always is a good way to stop the spread of the disease. However, it has been proven that soap and water can do better in terms of killing the virus found in your hands. However, you will have to do it for at least 20 seconds.

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Wear protective masks as needed

Should you or should you not wear masks? If done properly, masks can help you at a certain point. However, if you are not in close contact with a person who is sick, this is pointless. You might want to leave the masks to your health professionals who are dealing with people who are sick.

Self-quarantine

If you are suspected of having the virus, the next move is to make sure that you self-quarantine. The incubation period for the virus is said to be 14 days. After 14 days, you will be able to see the symptoms. At times, it takes just 4 days and the symptoms are going to appear. Unfortunately, you can be contagious even if you don’t have the symptoms yet. The best step is to make sure that you stay away from healthy individuals and practice proper self-quarantine protocols.

Consider eating health

Now, you want to also strengthen your immune system. This way, in case you get the virus, you have a fighting chance against it. There is no cure for the virus. One case even mentioned that Gatorade was the only thing given to her plus she was isolated. It means that the body’s immune system is going to work against the virus.

Sleep 8 hours or more

Another important step is to sleep for more than 8 hours. If you can sleep for more than 8 hours, your body gets to recover. Be sure to sleep in the dark and at night as well if you want to maximize the benefits of resting.

Limit your interactions

And lastly, if it is not too important, might as well don’t leave your house. You want to limit your interactions. Be sure that you only do things that are necessary such as going to the grocery.

We are now dealing with thousands of cases of COVID-19. With these steps, it is possible to minimize the impact of the virus. This can also keep the health infrastructures afloat worldwide.

How Steve Barbarich Improved the Vacation Rental Industry with VacationHomes365.com

Steve Barbarich is known by many as a man who changed the landscape when it comes to inventions and ecommerce. Steve Barbarich started as an inventor always seeking to provide designs that could change the way people do their routine. His goal is to always provide improvement to what we do. But over the years, he has contributed so much more.

After helping inventors get their ideas into the market, he started his own ecommerce company. His ecommerce company is a product of necessity after experiencing the lack of customer support by other businesses.

It isn’t surprising that he started Vacation Homes 365. VacationHomes365.com is more than just a website where guests can pick their vacation home or room of choice for their next vacation. It is also a platform that has helped those vacation rental homes that are struggling.

Why Do Hosts Need Vacation Homes 365?

Struggling or not, VacationHomes365.com has become handy for a lot of homeowners. First, it has offered another platform where people can book their property. It means another avenue where hosts can post their properties.

Next, Steve Barbarich started helping hosts by providing them with property management services. It means that those without the necessary manpower can avail of this service. Here, the staff members will be the one answering the concerns of your guests. If you have a full-time job, it makes perfect sense to get the help of these professionals. It lessens the stress plus it lessens the waiting time on the part of the guests.

There are also useful management tips that hosts can learn from the company. It means that with these insights from the experts, hosts will have a fewer bad reviews to deal with at the end of the day. Plus, it is also possible to run a more efficient business that can make money for you.

Benefiting the Guests

Guests often deal with inexperienced hosts. Though hosts have good intentions, there is a chance that the guest is going to encounter several problems. There is always that chance that they are not going to be happy by the end of their stay.

With VacationHomes365, Steve Barbarich has raised the bar when it comes to services provided by hosts. Vacation rental homes have become a serious business rather than a hobby that some homeowners used to do. Nowadays, complete with different services, hosts can earn a good amount of money due to the influx of guests in their property.

Guests, on the other hand, can benefit from this. For instance, hosts are becoming more professional when it comes to treating their guests. You can expect them to provide you with their best services that can even stand toe to toe with services offered by hotels.

When it comes to the vacation rental industry, things changed for the better thanks to Steve Barbarich. He started a company that benefitted not only the hosts but also the guests. Here, the industry prospers with the help of this man who has a vision of what the vacation rental business should look like.

Effective Strategies on How to Make an Airbnb Rental Stand Out

When it comes to an Airbnb rental, it is crucial that you are not just spending money on renovations only to find out that people are not really interested in your property. There are areas today that have a good number of other vacation rentals. This means that if you are running your Airbnb rental business, you have no other choice but to make the property stand out. Nowadays, a lot of things can be done in order to make the home look good in the eyes of your potential market. You also need to know the psychology behind travelers how they choose an Airbnb rental.

Take Good Photos

First, you have to realize that you will have to invest in good photography. This can help attract more people into your property. You also have to realize that having good photos of the property already convinces a lot of people. Now, if you are just using a regular phone camera, at least, make sure that the area is well lighted. It can make the property look more stunning in the photos.

Create a Copy That Stands Out

Next, you also need to plan the content well. It is a good idea that you provide accurate information regarding the property. You also want to find the right voice that will attract your potential market. If you don’t have any idea where to start, it is a good idea that you do a bit of research. You can check the copies of the most successful vacation rentals out there. You can use it as a benchmark whenever you are making a copy.

Improve the Interiors

Next, it is a must that you ensure the interiors look good. This will make sure that your guests will feel like they are at home. A lot of homes that are for rent go for minimalistic interior design. Not only is this pleasing to the eye, but it is also easier to clean. There is less clutter that you have to deal with. It means that if your guests decided to check out, you will also have an easier time to clean everything.

Always Highlight the Good Things

Now, if you want to make the property look good and stand out, you want to make sure that you are going to highlight the good things about your property. Is it near a particular station? Is it near a tourist spot? These are some of the most common reasons why guests choose a particular place.

Offer Something That Isn’t Available Elsewhere

And lastly, you also want to make sure that you are going to offer something different. For instance, you can offer bikes to your guests. This way, it is easier for them to go around and find new places. Or maybe, it is a good idea that you provide them with an umbrella in case it is raining.

Remember that it can be quite tricky to run your Airbnb business. However, these are smart approaches that can easily make the property stand out.

How Steve Barbarich Changed Home Rental and E-Commerce

Vacation home rental industry is a growing business in different parts of the world. Today, we get to see vacation homes ranging from small condominium units to beach houses. But what serial entrepreneur, Steve Barbarich, noticed is that a lot of homeowners are losing money. There are a number of reasons why homeowners tend to lose money from their own venture. A lot of them are not making money because they don’t understand the wants and the needs of their clients. Also, they don’t have any idea on how to market their own property. These are some problems that have been addressed by Vacation Homes 365.

Steve Barbarich is the mind behind Vacation Homes 365. His idea is to provide the home rental industry a different perspective. With his years in doing business, he’s been able to provide tips on how to run a successful vacation home rental. The goal is quite simple and that’s to make sure that every homeowner who happens to be part of the Vacation Homes 365 network improve their profits and learn from the experience of the professionals.

Inventor and Serial Entrepreneur

Steve Barbarich is known in the world of business. Over the years, he’s been able to provide products that customers loved. But with his venture comes challenges. Before he even became an entrepreneur, he also noticed that inventors were having a hard time to get their products into the market.

With these challenges, he made sure to help inventors with what he knows. He was able to write The Complete Manual on How to Make Money from Your Inventions and Patents. Though it has become a best seller on Amazon.com, he believed that there was so much more to be done. He launched the company which is a company that helps inventors patent their products. And not only that, he helped them find a market for their products.

He then transitioned towards helping customers. He started making a purchase online when he discovered that e-commerce businesses lacked the experience when it comes to sales support and customer services. Because of this, he was able to start an e-commerce business that was able to address the customers’ needs and wants.
He made a company that focused mainly on customer satisfaction. He focused his attention not only on the best products but also on the best service. He was able to bring in a team that would provide the best customer service.

Steve Barbarich the Philanthropist

Steve Barbarich was also able to help in an event of a disaster. In 2005, he helped those who were affected by Hurricane Rita and Ike. He was able to make a large sum of donation for people who were affected by the natural disaster. In addition to this, he also made sure to help those women who couldn’t afford a mammogram. In 2009, during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, he made a donation that helped women who didn’t have the financial capability to pay for a mammogram. This helped a good number of women in order to screen whether or not someone has breast cancer.

Tips for People Planning to Travel with a Child

There are a lot of travelers today. For some people, they plan to travel while they are still young in order to still enjoy the process. The reality is that traveling is a great experience. However, if you don’t know what you are doing, it can also be stressful especially if you are carrying your child with you. If you have a toddler traveling with you, these are some tips that you can go for.

Plan Ahead

It is imperative that you are going to plan ahead. This way, you will not get stressed. Remember that some children can’t tolerate long drive or long hours in an airplane. You will need to plan ahead how to address these scenarios. The more unexpected scenarios you can address ahead of time, the better it is for you.
You may want to have the basic essentials if you are traveling. You want to have the toys, diaper, food, and milk ready. Also, a lot of times, you will have to make sure that you talk to your child about the trip.

Travel with a companion

If you can travel with another understanding adult, it becomes a better experience for you. It isn’t expected that you travel alone especially if you are a single parent. You will have to understand that you will need a helping hand especially if you are traveling with a toddler who will bug you every single time. But of course, you have to understand that you will need to have an adult who is very patient when it comes to a child.

Know if the place is child-friendly or not

Also, remember that not all places today are child-friendly. You will have to do a lot of research if you are going to travel. You have to make sure that the place isn’t located in some red-light district. Also, you have to make sure that the place has a nearby hospital in case an emergency is going to happen.
Airbnb is a great option for a lot of travelers. You will be able to see if the property is actually family-friendly. At times, you will have to rent the entire property instead of just one room to ensure that you have the privacy that you need.

Opt comfort over anything

Next, a lot of travelers today are very conscious when it comes to their budget. Though it is very understandable, you have to make sure that you don’t skimp on your comfort. Traveling with a child isn’t a joke. You will get tired. You will end up stressed in some days. If you have accommodation that offers comfort, then it becomes possible for you to enjoy your travel experience more.

Save extra money

You will have to expect that traveling with an infant or a toddler can be quite a hassle for your pocket. Though it is enjoyable to see your child in his or her good mood, you will be paying more than the usual backpacking trip if you have a child. This is a reality that you will have to expect.

Is Vacation Renting Really Practical for a Traveler?

A lot of times, you encounter travelers who are on a tight budget. When it comes to these travelers, they usually try to find the most budget-friendly travel options. And over the years, there has been an increase in the popularity of vacation rentals. Vacation rentals are now popular in different tourist destinations worldwide competing against hotels. But if it is your first time to ever try one, you might want to ask if it is really practical for a traveler to just go for a vacation rental option?

Located in Neighborhoods

Unlike hotels that are usually found near shopping centers, you usually find the vacation rental options scattered around neighborhood areas. This means that you also have to take into account the amount of money that you are going to save if you are already in the center of things. If you are staying with 10 other people and you always have to travel an extra train ride to get to the center of things, it can definitely accumulate especially if you are having a trip that lasts for around a week or so.

Limited access to public transportation

You will also have to deal with the fact that if you like to stay up late, there are some neighborhoods that don’t really have access to public transportation at certain times. And this can be very frustrating if you are the type of tourist who loves to stay late. You will have to pay for a cab.

Amenities

But of course, one of the things that you can get from a vacation rental is that you can get the amenities that are usually present in your home. You don’t have to worry that you don’t have a kitchen. And for those who love to cook and for those who are trying to save, this is a great choice. Imagine packing your lunch or your breakfast as you don’t need to eat outside anymore. You can simply have fun and enjoy activities without spending money on food. For those who travel constantly, they can agree that groceries can be much cheaper than restaurants. However, if you are a foodie, then this isn’t something that you want.

Larger Space for Less

If you are very particular about the size of the place, then renting a vacation rental is a good deal because you can actually enjoy an entire house for the price of a hotel room. Now, that is cheap. You can have other people stay with you or rent the entire place all on your own.

No help desk

Another problem for a lot of guests today is that there is no help desk that can assist them whenever they need anything. What if you can’t figure out how to use the washing machine? All you have to do is to message the owner via Airbnb or on any platform that you’ve used and communicate from there. But for a lot of people, it can be a hassle especially when the host tends to answer a few hours after you sent your query.

Is Vacation Renting The Right Business For You?

Vacation rentals are fast becoming a popular course of earning extra income today especially for places that are quite popular among tourists. These days, hotels have a tough competition mainly because of the number of vacation renting options out there. And the reality is that there are some vacation rental properties that can outperform the usual hotel option. Now, should you go for this type of business or should you stick to other ways to earn extra income?

First, you have to assess the time that you have. You need to understand that it takes a lot of time to become a host. You will be bothered by inquiries and by repairs that need to be fixed. If you don’t have the time to attend to these things, it is a good idea that you take a closer look at other ways to earn a living.

Next, you also want to make sure that you are also willing to spend on repairs and on renovations. Though you have the time in the world, you need to understand that it is quite tricky to do repairs and things that you don’t really have any idea of. And what it means is that you will have to spend some money on both repairs and renovations. For some, this is too much especially if they no longer have the funds. For this reason, be sure to assess your wallet as well. You want to make sure that you have some elbow room for improvements and for repairs.

Builder Preparing Estimate For Exterior Home Improvement

Other than repairs, renovations, and the dedication to work in your vacation rental, you will also need to take a closer look at the online marketing strategy that you will apply in your property. You need to have at least a Facebook page. A Facebook page can help you keep in touch with potential guests. You also need to know how to make use of Google places. There are some people who might see your property while scrolling the area where they want to stay. All of these things can help increase the number of people staying in your property.

Also, you might want to use a platform where you can showcase the property that you want people to rent. Airbnb is a great and popular platform that has been used by a great number of countries all over the world. However, you need to understand that there are rules and regulations in different countries regarding homeowners that are hosting tourists. In some cases, you will have to be familiar with the tax details out there.

Vacation rentals can be challenging but at the same time, it can also be a great opportunity for you to earn some extra income. In fact, if you choose to make it your main source of income, this is a possibility. But what you have to understand is that there are a lot of details that you have to look into from pricing to how you plan to market the place. These are just some important things you should always remember.

Can You Prevent Having Complaints From Your Guests on Airbnb?

Having a complaint from one of your guest from Airbnb can be a bummer. A lot of people today decided to have their property rented thinking that it is easy money. Though it is a growing market, you have to know exactly what you are getting into. In reality, it takes a lot of work. You get to encounter different types of people. And though these guests are paying half of what they are going to pay in a hotel, their expectations remain high. And for this reason, you have to know how to please them and avoid the complaints.

It is quite common today that homeowners encounter complaints from guests. Guests tend to become picky regarding the services that they get. Here are some tricks that you can implement in order to still maintain a good review.

Provide a Good First Impression

It is important to always start with a good first impression. Here, you will be able to keep the interest of your guests. Also, there are instances when even if you made a mistake somewhere along the way, they will be more forgiving on your part. They will be able to just let some small things slide because they saw you made an effort to make a good impression from them.

Establish Good Communication

You also want to make sure that you are going to have a good communication with your guests. You want to be able to talk to them. Be sure that you are going to know what are the things that they need. This is especially true if they are staying for a couple of days. Do they need extra towels? Perhaps, they need someone to clean the space? These are just some of the most basic things that you can cover for your guests.

Always ensure that you provide something extra

You also want to make sure that you are going to show them that they are really welcome. The best way to do this is to always do something extra. For instance, why not provide them with the best snack that the place is known for? This will keep the place warm. Also, you can even have a personally written note and remind them to feel at home.

Cleanliness

Next, the most common complaint that guests will have is the cleanliness of the place. If you are going to have your property rented. always make sure that it is clean. If you can’t do the cleaning all on your own, it is a good idea that you hire professionals. By hiring professionals, you can actually guarantee that everything is going to be well-maintained.

If you are going to have a problem with your rental, it is also a good idea that you know exactly why you are having such bad reviews. Is this something that you can fix? Or maybe, is it something that you can improve on? By knowing the problem, you become aware of what to fix. You can address it and even tell your future guests that these issues have been addressed already.