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Anyone who owns a business knows that they now need to ensure that their internet marketing strategy is as strong as possible these days. Digital and internet marketing has certainly taken off in an incredible way over the past few years, and now many entrepreneurs and marketing managers are stepping up to the challenge of making it work for their brand. If you don’t already have a digital strategy embedded into your overall marketing campaign, then it is really necessary to set one up right now. If you do have one, it’s always wise to keep on thinking about how it can be improved. One of the best ways to get started with or improve an internet marketing strategy is to think about the current trends that are highly influential. If you use some of these in your campaign, then you might be surprised at just how successful it can be. There’s just one issue, though - it can be fairly difficult to see what the current developing trends within the marketing world are before it is too late. H

By Sonia Klug    Independent Whether it’s for capturing wildlife or stunning holiday snaps, invest in a versatile piece of kit We may earn some commission if you click on a link in this article and buy a product or service, but we never allow this to influence our coverage. Bridge cameras emerged in the Eighties, positioned between point and shoot compacts and the larger and more complex SLRs.  Much has changed since, but bridge cameras are still a good choice for photographers who want a straightforward camera with a versatile zoom lens, all in one convenient package.  They open up a greater variety of subjects – close and far – and come into their own in wildlife and (amateur) sports photography. Many bridge cameras come with long zoom ranges, which are all given in their 35mm equivalent (or what the focal range would be on a full-frame DSLR).  Anything below 36mm is considered “wide angle” and the lower this number, the more it allows you to get into the frame. With 24mm focal leng

The same type of technology used in some of the United States Navy’s most powerful ships also powers handheld lawn equipment. A lineup of string trimmers, leaf blowers and hedge trimmers from Cub Cadet use innovative technology to power the units called CORE (Conductor-Optimized Rotary Energy). The sophisticated motor technology generates power equal to gas engines and maximizes pound-for-pound power efficiency, compared to its 25 cubic centimeter gas-powered engines. The technology also features a unique Power-Lok system. This standalone drive unit offers lightweight, high-performance string trimmer, blower, and hedge trimmer attachments. It saves storage space and money with one tool that does the job of three different units. Printed circuit board technology and magnetic rotors generate concentrated, efficient power and torque that is on par with gas-powered units so the toughest outdoor challenges can be tackled without the fill-ups, fumes or pull-starts of gas engines. By deliveri

More than 84 million U.S. homes have a pet, according to the National Pet Owners Survey , and in many of those homes, pets are a big part of the family. However, there are several barriers that can prevent people from spending time with their furry friends, including outdated housing rules and limited green space in communities. To help create a more pet-friendly world, Mars Petcare introduced the “BETTER CITY FOR PETS” certification, as an extension of its BETTER CITIES FOR PETS program. The certification celebrates cities that have made progress toward becoming more pet-friendly by evaluating them across four categories: shelters, homes, parks, and businesses. “The presence of pets can help make people healthier – both physically and mentally,” said Mark Johnson, president of Mars Petcare North America. “We hope to inspire more cities to take real action that leads to a better quality of life for people and pets in their communities.” Consider these benefits of pets, along with rese

With crowds of unfamiliar people and loud, scary noises, the Fourth of July can make even the most laid-back, four-legged family members apprehensive and unpredictable. “Research shows that more pets are lost on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year and animal shelters are most crowded after the holiday, filled with lost dogs and cats,” said Aimee Gilbreath, executive director, Michelson Found Animals Foundation. “Taking steps to protect your pet can help ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for the whole family.” These tips can help keep your pet comfortable and secure: 1. Get identification tags  A collar and external ID tags are quick and easy ways to identify your pet if lost, and they make him or her instantly recognizable as someone’s pet. What information you provide on the tags may vary depending on your personal security concerns, but at the very least, include a phone number. If you’re concerned about noisy dangling tags, or the tags snagging and pulling loose, cho

 Pet ownership can have a positive effect on people, including those who may be struggling with mental health. From minimizing loneliness and stress to aiding in social situations, pets can truly go above and beyond for their human companions.  “Millions of people are affected by mental health disorders across the U.S., so when a doctor recommends a life with a pet, he or she is truly writing a prescription for a happier, healthier life,” said Jam Stewart, vice president of corporate affairs at Mars Petcare. “We created the BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program, which highlights the importance of human-animal interaction and how pet-friendly spaces can help ensure people and their pets can live their best lives together.” Consider these mental health benefits that pet ownership can bring, according to the WALTHAM™ Centre for Pet Nutrition, and visit BetterCitiesForPets.com to learn more about the benefits of four-legged friends and how pet owners can help them in return. 1.Combat Loneliness

Introducing a new dog to the family can bring plenty of excitement, sweet snuggles, and puppy kisses. However, there are also plenty of practical steps to consider to successfully transition a pup into its new environment. Whether you’re a seasoned pet owner or a first-time puppy parent, these tips can help your newest family member feel right at home: Purchase the necessities ahead of time.  Similar to newborns, new pets require products that fit their size, age and life stage to ensure their safety and good health. This includes chew-proof food and water bowls, an ID tag with name and contact information and a sturdy leash for both walks and training. Many experts discourage retractable leashes because they offer little control. For puppies specifically, some veterinarians recommend harnesses to attach a leash to because their necks are too fragile to attach a leash to a collar. Remember, puppies are going to grow, and items like beds, crates, and collars will need to grow as they do

Pets can make an impression on every member of the family, but the bond between a child and a pet can become a special one with lifelong effects. From increased physical activity to a positive impact on confidence and social skills, there are many ways younger family members can benefit from growing up alongside a furry friend. These are a few ways kids can learn from growing up with a pet, courtesy of the CESAR® brand, and you can find more at Cesar.com/firstdayfriends. 1.Increased Physical Activity –  Whether taking a walk or playing fetch, pets provide unique opportunities for children to engage in physical activities, both indoors and out. As a bonus, encouraging children to expel energy alongside their pets can tire out both rambunctious parties, which can benefit the whole family. 2.Empathy and Companionship –  No matter what may be going on in a child’s life, a pet can be there through highs and lows as a constant friend. Research shows a pet can help reduce stress and moderate

As temperatures rise and days get longer, pets, just like humans, get excited about spring. It’s time to get into new routines, and warmer weather provides the perfect opportunity to spend more time with your pet, creating memories both indoors and out. Here are a few ideas for enjoying springtime with your pet from the experts at the NUTRO™ and GREENIES™ brands. 1. Get Active Outside  With the return of sunshine, spring is a prime opportunity for you and your four-legged friend to get active in the great outdoors. Take out your tennis shoes, grab a leash and hit the road. Whether you’re taking a walk, visiting a dog park or going on a hike, regular physical activity outdoors can help keep you and your pet healthy and active. 2. Spring Cleaning  This isn’t just about dusting off bookshelves or decluttering closets. It’s also an opportunity to reassess other aspects of your life that could use a cleaning, such as yours and your pet’s diets. As part of the NUTRO. FEED CLEAN™ philosophy ,

BY Greg Lea The Guardian. From copywriters to computer programmers, people with online-based jobs are seizing the chance to take their work on their travels I dismissed the idea at first. Over a picnic in south London’s Brockwell Park last May my friend Tom asked whether I had ever considered leaving the UK behind and continuing my football journalism career abroad. “Nice thought, mate,” I replied. “But I can’t see it happening. How would I make it work? Besides, I’d miss you too much.” That last bit remains true, but the conversation got me thinking, and a few months later I became a digital nomad – loosely defined as someone who uses the internet to work remotely without having a fixed home base. It’s the best decision I have ever made. The number of digital nomads in the world today is hard to ascertain: there is some overlap with groups such as remote workers, long-term travelers, and expatriate online workers. How often do you have to be on the move to be considered a nomad? Do al

BY Martin Love The Guardian. Enjoy some of the world’s rarest and special cars in a green oasis in the heart of the city London Concours When 5-6 June Where the City of London Tickets £35; students £18 Details londonconcours.co.uk Polished metal, glinting chrome, a sward of green… The capital’s leading automotive garden party – the London Concours – returns to the idyllic lawns of the Honourable Artillery Company from 5-6 June. There will be around 100 rare and stunning vehicles on display for you to drool over. The cars are without a doubt the stars of the show, but it’s almost worth going just for the chance to visit these secluded grounds. The five-acre Honourable Artillery Company HQ is in the heart of the City, a stone’s throw from Bank, Monument, and Barbican, not that you’d know it. Step through the historic gates and you are on what’s often called ‘the world’s second most valuable cricket pitch’. As you stroll around, possibly with a glass of fizz in hand, you’ll be able to ga

By Andrew Griffin Independent A new WhatsApp update seems set to stop people from screenshotting their private conversations. The new feature – which comes as part of a suite of security changes, in line with the app's commitment to privacy – seems strangely integrated. It doesn't appear to block someone taking screengrabs of your chats, perhaps to avoid them being shared with other people, according to WABetaInfo, the blog that first reported on the changes. Instead, it means that you turn on the app's highest security settings, you won't be able to take grabs of your own. The change comes as part of an authentication feature that has been long rumored but is yet to appear within WhatsApp. That feature allows people to set fingerprint access to conversations, adding a further layer of security so that people can't get access to your phone and read or send private messages. However, enabling that fingerprint security feature also turns on the conversation screensh

By  Alex Matthews-King   Independent Fears about social media's harms have been stoked based on 'lackluster evidence' saying hours in front of the screen add up to harms. Fears than being hooked on social media are creating a generation of depressed and anxious teenagers have been overstated, according to a study which found it has a "trivial" effect on life satisfaction. Ministers and parent groups have raised the alarm about excessive time spent on sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.