Technology – My Freelance Academy

What Do Engineers Do – Explained in Simple Terms!

Until some years ago, if someone were to ask me what engineers do, I’d probably spit out some vague statement stuffed with generic machine-cement-steel-building-computers-yadayada keywords. But upon more exploration into the field, it was evident that the answer is a lot more than that.

To explain it, engineers build. Everything artificial around us — the house we live in, the bottle we drink from, the refrigerator we browse at 2 am, the edited genes in the virus in our vaccines, the laptop you’re reading this article from — all of this was created by engineers. In technical terms, engineers work to create and improvise machinery and equipment, and in some cases, they also create the environment that sustains that equipment. Something as simple as a lever and pulley system is engineering, a complex cantilever bridge.

The job of an engineer, however, doesn’t limit to just building. To engineer is to innovate. An engineer is responsible for planning, designing, maintaining, and optimizing whatever they are building. They are also supposed to predict all the problems that might arise and come up with cost-effective solutions.

Types of Engineering Professions

We now have a broad understanding of what do engineers do. But, engineering is a broad discipline, so it is categorized into several different types and subtypes. This categorization is done based on what it is that the engineer shall build. For example, one who designs machines is a mechanical engineer, and one who designs computer programs is a computer engineer.

The categories of engineering discussed in this article are:

Aerospace engineering
Agricultural engineering
Biotechnological engineering
Chemical engineering
Civil engineering
Computer science and engineering
Electrical and electronics engineering
Environmental engineering
Industrial and systems engineering
Materials engineering
Marine engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mining engineering
Nuclear engineering

Keep reading to know in more detail about the individual engineering disciplines and what do engineers do.

Aerospace Engineering

female aerospace engineer — Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng / Unsplash

The job of an aerospace engineer is a rather exciting one. From cloud-touching airplanes to deadly missiles, they’re all engineered by aerospace engineers. To speak in more technical terms, they apply concepts of physics and mathematics to design, construct, analyze, test, and maintain commercial airplanes, helicopters, rockets, weapons, missiles, satellites, spacecraft, and other machinery that work aerodynamical principles. Some aerospace engineers also specialize in specific aeronautical engineering disciplines such as navigational guidance, aerospace propulsion, ground vehicle systems, structural analysis, and many others.

The minimum requirement to become an aerospace engineer is a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field. The coursework usually comprises the study of physics, mathematics, jet propulsion, aerodynamics, aerospace structures, and other subjects, depending upon the specialization.

Some of the common employers of aerospace engineers are the defense industry, companies of commercial airlines, spacecraft, and automobiles, among others.

The median pay of aerospace engineers in the USA: $118,610 per year

Agricultural Engineering

agriculture engineer — Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng / Unsplash

With only so little availability of arable land and over 7 billion mouths to feed, it is important to make agricultural and cultivation practices more and more efficient. This is where an agricultural engineer comes in. Agriculture engineers study all aspects of farming — machinery, irrigation, soil suitability, food biotechnology — and apply engineering principles to solve several agricultural problems. Some common problems being addressed by agricultural engineers are food production optimization, sustainable agriculture practices, soil transformation, multi-purpose machinery designing, water security, and a lot more.

A BTech. or equivalent degree in agricultural engineering is required for entry-level jobs in this field. As a part of the coursework, one would study crop production technology, soil technology, fluid mechanics, agricultural biotechnology, agricultural machinery, land and water resources management, food engineering, irrigation and drainage engineering, tractor and power systems, post-harvest engineering, working of tubewells and pumps and more.

Some common specializations under agricultural engineering are Irrigation and Drainage Systems, Crop Production, Dairy Management, Post-Harvest Technology, Poultry and Fish Processing, Soil and Water Engineering, Agricultural Waste Management, Food Engineering, and Agricultural Machinery Design.

Leading agricultural equipment firms, research services, and consulting agencies seek to employ agricultural engineers.

The median pay of agricultural engineers in the USA: $84,410 per year

Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering

When we think of engineers, we often imagine intense mathematics or metal machinery. But what do engineers do with biological systems? Biotechnologists and biomedical engineers use biological constituents and develop products out of them that are useful for humankind. These products can range from biofuels to bioplastics to medicines and a lot more.

Biotechnology deserves an entire article of its own, for its application covers many fields, some major ones being pharmaceutics, vaccine production, agriculture, food science, healthcare, fuel production, bioremediation, waste treatment, and cosmetics. Genetic engineering has helped save countless lives, and GM crops have prevented the wiping out of multiple agricultural occupations, and all this was made possible by biotechnologists.

A bachelor’s degree is enough to become a biotechnologist, but it is advised to pursue higher studies because most companies require decent research experience and specialization. The biotech course usually comprises microbiology, biochemistry, bioenergetics, genetics, immunology, tissue culture, protein engineering, bioinformatics, enzyme technology, bioprocessing, mass transfer, and mathematical courses.

Some common specializations under biotechnological engineering are medical biotechnology, food biotechnology, bioprocess technology, and bioremediation.

Pharmaceutical industries, vaccine production companies, bioprocessing industries, health and cosmetic companies, agriculture and animal husbandry industries, among others, are the top hirers of biotechnologists.

The median pay of bioengineers and biomedical engineers in the USA: $92,620 per year

Chemical Engineering

We are heavily dependant on several chemical and petrochemical products, be it fuel, plastic, paracetamol, and whatnot. Chemical engineers do the processing of these products from raw materials. Designing the power plants, the equipment, the chemical reactions involved are all a chemical engineer’s responsibility. Chemical engineering is a very broad discipline, with applications in petroleum technology, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and has a decent overlap with biotechnological engineering as welhelor’s in chemical engineering are required to become one. The course for chemical engineers comprises reaction engineering, mass transfer, process equipment design, chemical process technology, biochemical engineering, chemical engineering thermodynamics, instrumentation and process control, heat transfer, transport phenomena, and more.

A chemical engineer would typically be employed in a gas/oil extraction company, a pharmaceutical firm, a fo& drinks company, or employed for chemical waste remediation, or any other firm dealing with chemical and petrochemical processing.

Median The median chemical engineers in the USA: $108,540 per year

Civil Engineering

Often the generic picture that comes to our mind when we think about what do engineers do is that of a person in a yellow helmet and a neon vest, holding a map and passing instructions on a building construction site. Well, that person you imagine, is most likely a civil engineer.

A civil engineering job revolves around infrastructure. The designing, building, supervising construction, testing of all kinds of infrastructure — buildings, roads, drains, airports, tunnels — you name it.

A BTech in civil engineering is usually required for entry-level jobs. Some of the things one would study in this course are structural analysis, transportation engineering, water resources engineering, solid mechanics, soil mechanics, foundation engineering, design of steel structures, structural detailing, and other subjects, depending upon the specialization if any. Some common specializations are geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, and architectural engineering among others.

The top hirers of civil engineers are government departments, provincial administrations, and municipalities, construction companies, architectural firms, steel industries, and so on.

Median pay of civil engineers in the USA: $88,570 per year

Computer Science and Engineering

female computer science engineer — Photo by Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash

Out of all the engineering degrees listed in this article on what do engineers do, computer science is the most in-demand. And why wouldn’t it be? It is difficult to imagine our lives without computers. All these apps, websites, software, hardware, and so many more tools that have made over lives exponentially easier, were developed by computer engineers. Even engineers in other disciplines are being advised to learn to code because computer science has its applications in practically everything.

Technically speaking, computer engineer applies their knowledge of mathematics, computer systems, coding languages, algorithms, computation, and other things to design, develop and debug new tools, devices, networks, and other technology.

To be a computer science engineer, one would have to get a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Information Technology or related fields. As a part of the course, one is most likely to study programming, data structures, signals, networks, discrete structures, switching circuits, software engineering, compilers, computer architecture, operating systems, computational theory, and more.

Some of the top hirers of computer scientists and engineers are search engine websites, social media firms, online marketing websites, and information technology consulting companies. For detailed information on several different types of computer science jobs, check out this article on Top 7 Exciting Computer Science Jobs.

Median pay of computer science engineers in the USA: $77k-126k

Electronics and Electrical Engineering

what do electrical engineers do — Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng / Unsplash

It is pretty evident that our generation is heavily dependant on electronic equipment and it is practically impossible to imagine our lives without it. After computer science and engineering, electrical and electronics engineering degrees are one of the most sought after.

Electrical engineers design develop and debug all things electricity — power generation, power transformation, power distribution, electrical machinery, electrical components of a vehicle, and the chips and circuits inside electronic devices. Electronics engineering specifically is a subcategory under electrical engineering and it deals specifically with relatively much smaller circuits and chip designing. Many universities offer a degree in electronics engineering exclusively.

To become an electrical engineer, one would need a bachelor’s in electrical engineering or related fields. The subjects and topics typically covered in the course are signals, networks, electrical machines, analog electronic circuits, control and instrumentation, power systems, embedded systems, digital electronic circuits, power apparatus, and others.

Median pay of electrical and electronics engineers in the USA: $103,390 per year

Environmental Engineering

It is not hidden that industrialization has taken a huge toll on environmental health. To undo this damage and prevent further ill impacts, we need environmental engineers. They engineer methods for preventing air pollution, processing hazardous wastes, combating climate change, efficient recycling, safely disposing and managing waste, and ensuring sustainable use of land and water resources. It is a very altruistic profession as it deals with not just saving humankind but also entire ecosystems.

To become an environmental engineer, a minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required in the field of environmental engineering. The environmental engineering program typically comprises environmental chemistry, environmental microbiology, ecology, water resources, mass transfer process, environmental geodesy, environmental planning, wastewater engineering, air pollution science, air pollution monitoring, fluid mechanics, environmental computation, biological treatment technologies, physicochemical treatment technologies, hazardous waste management, among others.

Wastewater treatment plants, environmental consulting firms, solar energy companies, and construction companies are some of the top hirers of environmental engineers.

Median pay of environmental engineers in the USA: $92,120 per year

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Industrial and Systems Engineering, also known as ISE, is a fast-growing job. It is more on the analytical and mathematical side of engineering and is somewhat an amalgamation of engineering and business. An IS engineer’s job is mostly on the lines of optimization and management, in simple terms, their job is to make things better. ISE has its application in several domains, mainly logistics, transportation, manufacturing, investments, production, and even healthcare.

A BTech in industrial engineering is required for most jobs. As a part of the bachelor’s program, one would typically be required to take courses on operations research, production design, work system design, process planning, quality design, logistics and supply chain management, engineering economy, optimization and heuristic methods, simulations, product development, and other similar courses varying from institute to institute.

Since all kinds of projects need optimization, there are several jobs available for industrial engineers in all kinds of sectors. However, some common recruiters are logistics companies, healthcare firms, and financial consulting companies.

The median pay of industrial engineers in the USA: $88,950 per year

Marine Engineering

Photo by Nikola Johnny Mirkovic / Unsplash

A marine engineer is responsible for the operation and maintenance of watercraft and all marine equipment. In some cases, they also overlook the functioning of extracting resources from the ocean. One thing to note is that a marine engineer’s life can be both exciting and extremely challenging. Some engineers work in the engine room of ships, with a temperature of 40 degrees, in the middle of the sea, and this life may not be for everyone, so choose your occupation accordingly.

For entry-level jobs, a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering or naval architecture is usually required. The stuff you’d have to typically study in a marine engineering course are elementary navigation, mechanics of machines, marine engineering drawing, control engineering, fluid mechanics, applied marine control and automation, ship structure, marine steam engineering, applied thermodynamics, material strength, among others.

There are several jobs in the public sector that need marine engineers, especially in the navy, coastguard, and defense. Other than that, marine construction companies and shipping companies also hire marine engineers and naval architectures.

Median pay of marine engineers in the USA: $95,440 per year

Materials Engineering

Materials engineering, as the name suggests, deals with the development of materials. Material engineers use their atomic understanding of materials to create a wide variety of products. What makes this discipline among the very versatile ones is that these products can be anything, from ceramics to plastic to electronics to specialized alloys and whatnot.

A bachelor’s degree in materials engineering is required for entry-level jobs. The course for material engineering covers topics like engineering materials, metallurgical thermodynamics, materials processing, deformation behavior of materials, extractive metallurgy principles, phase transformation, iron and steel making, corrosion, among others.

Some of the top recruiters of materials engineers are automotive industries, construction companies, and several consumer goods companies.

The median pay of materials engineers in the USA: $95,640 per year

Mechanical Engineering

Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng / Unsplash

In this article on what do engineers do, we have listed several engineering disciplines, and mechanical engineering is probably one of the oldest ones. To explain in simple terms, mechanical engineers design, construct and maintain machinery. What will be the components of the machine? Is the machine to be power-producing or power-consuming? How will it be powered? What will its basic design be? How will the power be transformed? What material should be used for the machine? A mechanical engineer applies physics and engineering principles to answer all the above questions.

A BTech in mechanical engineering is the minimum requirement for most jobs. Typically, a mechanical engineering course comprises transform calculus, machine kinematics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, casting, forming welding, thermo-fluids, machine elements designing, along with other mathematical courses.

Automotive industries, the energy sector, and construction firms are some of the top hirers of mechanical engineers.

The median pay of mechanical engineers in the USA: $90,160 per year

Mining Engineering

With the population growing and the resources shrinking, there is a constant need for finding new sites of resource extraction, and making the existing ways of mineral and fuel extractions more efficient. This task is done by mining engineers. Mining engineers locate sites of valuable resources such as coal, petroleum, and other minerals, and then devise plans and layouts for safe and efficient extraction and construct the required equipment.

To become a mining engineer, one would have to pursue a bachelor’s in mining engineering, the course of which usually consists of subjects like geology, rock mechanics, solid mechanics, thermodynamics, underground coal and metal mining, ventilation, climate control, mining machinery, mine hazards and rescue, surface mining, environmental engineering, mine safety, and others.

Mining and environmental consultancies, quarrying companies, mining companies, and extraction companies are some of the top hirers of mining engineers.

The median pay of mining engineers in the USA: $93,800 per year

Nuclear Engineers

With the growing pressure on industries to shift from carbon-intensive fuels to carbon-free sources of electricity, it has become necessary to establish more nuclear power plants. Today, nuclear energy is the only carbon-free source that can be widely expanded to produce large-scale electricity for the country.

Let us first understand how nuclear energy works. Inside the nucleus of an atom, all of its components are held together tightly with very strong attractive nuclear forces. When this atom (usually radioactive atoms such as Uranium and Thorium) is split, an enormous amount of energy is released. This energy can then be tapped to rotate turbines and thus produce electricity.

The process of producing nuclear energy must be carried out with great caution and should be monitored by an expert who understands the physics behind it. This is where a nuclear engineer comes in. Nuclear engineers are responsible for designing and supervising the activities involved in the reactor, which include loading the fuel into the reactor, implementing protocols for safe levels of radiation, developing the reactor cores, and other jobs. They also research finding new and innovative applications of nuclear energy.

When enrolled in a nuclear engineering course, one would have to study topics like applied nuclear physics, nuclear systems design, reactor physics, engineering of nuclear systems, along with a bunch of mathematics intensive subjects. Besides theoretical knowledge, since this job carries a huge weight of responsibility, it is important to be able to work under pressure, possess great problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Nuclear power plants and nuclear research institutions hire nuclear engineers.

The median pay of nuclear engineers in the USA: $116,140 per year

So, this was all about what do engineers do. Of course, some engineering disciplines may have been missed, because engineering is so broad, it is impossible to compress it all into a single article.

You may also check out this amazing video by NUS engineering where they broadly wrap up on what do engineers do in less than a minute:

Engineering is not only fascinating, but it also allows making a significant impact on the world. If innovation, problem-solving, physics, and mathematics are things that you are naturally drawn to, then engineering might be for you. Be sure to introspect yourself and research well to find out which engineering course excites you the most!

Top 7 Exciting Computer Science Jobs

From business models to biological simulations, computer science has its applications in most, if not all, fields. There is a huge, ever-growing demand in the market for computer science professionals, and with so many options available to explore, it can get confusing when deciding which option suits your career needs best. This article details everything you need to know about some of the top computer science jobs with high demand in the market.

1. Software Developer

Ever wondered who came up with your favorite photo-editing app? Or, the video game you played after school? Or, the music player on your phone? Or, the software that keeps track of your tasks? All of these tools that have been making your life easier were designed and brought to you by software developers.

Mobile applications — Photo by cottonbro on Pexels

So, What is the Job of a Software Developer?

Software developers talk through with their clients in order to understand what they need from their software. They, then, are responsible for designing, developing, coding, and shaping the required tasks into software programs. Once the software is ready, they must test it and make sure that it meets their clients’ needs. Maintaining the software, coming up with updates, fixing bugs, and training its users is also the role of a software developer.

Skills Required to Be a Software Developer

Software developers typically require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or equivalent computer science fields. Good command of multiple coding languages is a must and sound mathematical knowledge helps in coming up with efficient algorithms for a program.

Besides technical skills, this job also demands strong communication skills in order to communicate with and understand the demands of the client, and also to communicate within the team of other software engineers.

How Much Do Software Developers Make?

The median salary of software developers is $110,140 per year.

2. Information Security Analyst

Security analysis is one of those computer science jobs that would keep you under a lot of pressure.

The basic job of an information security analyst is to carry out safety measures to keep an organization’s computer systems and networks safe from potential security breaches.

What Does the Job of Information Security Analysts Involve?

Information security analysts design the security system of an organization, install firewalls, keep antiviruses updated, and more. They ensure the encryption of the company’s sensitive information and implement, conduct tests and analyze the security measures of an organization. During a security breach, it is their duty to investigate and resolve problems within the existing security system.

Skills Required to Be a Security Analyst

Usually, for entry-level jobs, a computer science degree is required. In-depth knowledge of operating systems, firewalls, antiviruses, IDPS concepts, and computer components — both software and hardware — is a must. Ethical hacking is a very useful skill that helps in conducting effective penetration tests and identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities in computer networks.

A security analyst should be able to anticipate complex problems and also have excellent problem-solving skills to resolve the same. In addition to that, they should also be a team worker and should be able to work under pressure.

How Much Do Security Analysts Make?

The median salary of security analysts is around $103,590 per year.

3. Data Scientist

Of all the computer science jobs, one of the most mathematically-inclined jobs is that of a Data Scientist. So, if you have a knack for mathematics and are fascinated by computer science, this is the job for you.

Basic Job Description of a Data Scientist

Data scientists are responsible for data acquiring, data storage, and data processing. The processing is done by creating algorithms and data science models with the help of data science techniques, like Machine learning, AI, statistical modeling, and more.

To put it in simple words, data scientists utilize their mathematical and computational skills to analyze big data to identify trends, and based on it, they come up with solutions to challenges — usually business challenges.

Skills Required to Be a Data Scientist

For entry-level jobs, typically a master’s degree in computer science is needed.

As you must have figured, Data Science is an amalgamation of both mathematical and computational methods. Therefore, employers look for a strong grip of mathematics and statistics for this job.

To implement these mathematical methods, a deep knowledge of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and programming tools, such as Python, SAS, or SQL, and their application in data science, is required.

How Much Do Data Scientists Make?

The median salary of data scientists is $126,830 per year.

4. Web Developer

Web development is one of the most time-wise flexible computer science jobs. One can choose to either freelance or work with a team or under a company.

This job is ideal for someone who has some interest in graphic designing and has a knowledge of coding computer languages.

What is the Job of a Web Developer?

Web developers design and develop the basic layout — from graphics to user interface — of a website according to their client’s/company’s needs and code for the same. Upon successful creation of a website, its maintenance, bug fixing, and updating also falls under the responsibility of the web developer. information research scientists

Skills Required to Be a Web Developer

A computer science degree is usually required for entry-level jobs. A standard knowledge of coding languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript is a must and should be familiar with database systems, like Oracle/SQL.

Employers may also look for basic knowledge of search engine optimization and a little bit of graphic designing. Some understanding of mathematics can also help produce more efficient codes and algorithms.

This job also demands strong communication skills to communicate well with clients and collaborate with the organization’s computer systems administrators and other team members.

How Much Do Web Developers Make?

The median salary of web developers is $77,200 per year.

5. Database Developer

A database is a collection of structured data which can be stored and manipulated. An organization’s massive collection of data is organized into a database by a database developer, who develops and manages it.

What Are the Roles of a Database Developer?

Database developers are responsible for developing, managing, and troubleshooting a company’s database. They also develop database codes for the extraction or modification of data from the database.

Skills Required to Be a Database Developer

A bachelor’s degree in computer science or IT is required. Database developers should be well trained with both relational as well as non-relational database management systems, like SQL, T-SQL, PL / SQL, DB2, NoSQL, and Oracle databases. They should also possess strong analytical skills and should be able to perform cost calculations to come up with efficient, low-cost solutions to a company’s database management problems.

How Much Do Database Developers Make?

The median salary of database developers is $98,860 per year.

6. Computer Systems Analyst

These analysts analyze the hardware, software, and existing systems of an organization and diagnose problems. Based on these analyses, they incorporate new technology which is cost-beneficial and then oversee its successful installation.

Skills Required to Become a Computer Systems Analyst

Employers usually look for computer science graduates for the job. Besides that, a systems analyst should have sound knowledge of computer hardware and software and should be up to date with the latest technology. Often, experience in business and management is also required.

How Much Do Computer Systems Analysts Make?

The median salary of computer systems analysts is $93,730 per year.

7. Cloud Architect

Out of all the computer science jobs listed, this one is based on one of the newest technologies. To understand this job, let us first understand what cloud is.

Some would say that cloud practically is the internet. Cloud basically refers to the servers accessed by the internet. These servers are located in data centers all around the globe and can be accessed by users from any device. A lot of businesses are switching to this technology as this way they do not have to manage, update, or maintain physical servers on their own, and this way the servers are more easily accessible.

What Are the Responsibilities of Cloud Architects?

Since cloud technologies are relatively new, the job of shifting the company’s current servers to adopt cloud servers, is that of a cloud architect. They must design and assist this change and ensure a smooth adoption by using their cloud computing skills. Once live, they are responsible for maintaining and updating the cloud infrastructure.

Skills Required to Be a Cloud Architect

A major in computer science or a bachelor’s degree in information technology or electronics and communication is usually necessary. A decent understanding of various operating systems, networking, and basic programming knowledge is required for this job. Concepts of TCP/IP, HTTP, IP addresses, and DNS must be known.

Since cloud architecture enables easy access to company data from any location and device, it is also important to have a strong knowledge of security in order to make this infrastructure safe and prevent unauthorized access.

How Much Do Cloud Architects Make?

The median salary of cloud architects is $112,690 per year.

You may also check out this video for more information on computer science jobs:

Top Companies That Hire Computer Science Professionals

Some of the companies which offer the best, highest paying computer science jobs are:

Google (I mean, obviously!)
Microsoft
Apple
Cognizant
Infosys
TCS
Facebook

and many, many more.

So, these were some of the best computer science jobs for computer science graduates. Let us know in the comments section which computer science jobs are you most interested in?

11 Ways To Increase Website Traffic For Your Blog

Is your blog getting low website traffic? It is simple to start your blog these days. But, getting website traffic for your blog website is a challenge.

If you’re a newbie or have been blogging for a while, you’ve already encountered the issue of low website traffic.
It is common for business owners to become discouraged and stop blogging. But, once you realize how profitable it can be for your company, you will value it more.

It is because it can drive traffic to your website. It is not difficult to increase website traffic to your blog because you need to do a few items correctly. This article will guide you in solving the problem of low website traffic. We have suggested measures to drive the audience to your blog website.

11 Ways to Increase Website Traffic

1. Improve your Site and Optimize Loading Speed

When the website’s design is clear and appealing, it will attract users and encourage them to spend more time on it. Bad design discourages viewers or users from spending more time on your blog, resulting in low website traffic.

Users can find more content and navigate various sections more efficiently if you build your blog website effectively. You must now be considering which theme or design will be best for your blog website.

So, pick a basic theme that will make your website look clean and uncomplicated.

Always note to delete unnecessary and distracting elements from your blog. For example, if you have any ads that aren’t useful or aren’t working properly, it’s best to delete them.

Another explanation for low website traffic is slow loading times. In this era, when consumers expect something to happen immediately, no one can wait for your website to load before leaving it.

The time it takes for a website to load is a significant factor in search engine rankings. As a result, optimizing the loading speed of your blog website is critical if you want to increase website traffic. You can also need the assistance of a developer to complete the task.

2. Email Marketing and Creating Email Lists

It is one of the most dependable and straightforward methods for increasing blog traffic. When it comes to website traffic, it’s not only about attracting new visitors or users; you need to keep your current ones.

You must ensure that your website users return, but you must also create an email list. The best part about building an email list is that you have complete control over it. It also means you can send messages directly to your subscribers’ inboxes.

Make it simple for your guests to sign up for your email list if you want to grow your email list. You must also provide them with a compelling reason to enter your mailing list.

Email marketing is a cost-effective and reliable method of can traffic to your blog. After you’ve successfully created your email list, you can send out emails regularly. This way, you can alert and remind your subscribers about new material.

Now, this will assist you in increasing the number of visitors to your website.

3. Keyword Research

Both content authors and SEO experts use a keyword analysis. It helps you learn about specific terms, phrases, and sentences that can help boost search rankings.

You need to identify the words and phrases that users type into search engines to locate the information they seek. You can’t hope to boost your search engine ranking and increase website traffic simply by using random keywords in your post. To achieve better results, you must conduct proper keyword research.

It will improve your content and allow you to outperform your competitors.

You’re probably considering how to do keyword research for your blog. SEMRush, for example, is one of the many resources available today to assist you.

Type in a keyword, and you’ll be presented with a slew of keyword suggestions for your content or article. You can see an increase in website traffic if you identify and use relevant keywords.

4. Create Appropriate Content

Appropriate content is the most important factor in being a popular blogger and increasing website traffic. Users and search engines are on the lookout for relevant material.

When writing a blog, you must choose a good subject and include all of the required information. That’s because only this way can you make it seem useful to the readers.

Pillar articles are the most powerful and informative articles on your blog website. These are your most critical posts, and they must include keywords that are both promising and appropriate.

Often make an effort to write as many pillar posts as possible, including all relevant keywords.

Whatever type of article you’re writing must include all pertinent and necessary details about the topic. You will get a lot of traffic to your blog website if you have full posts on your blog website.

5. Writing Powerful Headlines or Titles

The first thing users see when they find your content in search results is the headline. It is perhaps more critical than the content. When your blog’s title is appealing and imaginative enough to pique users’ interest, it generates more clicks. And, as a result, you get more website traffic.

Users tend to avoid bland, common, or dull titles, so you must know how to write catchy headlines for your blogs. A successful headline can elicit emotional responses from users. It can also support the content in question by using the target keyword.

The trick is to use the headline to tell users that they can open and read your post. If you need assistance, there are many tools available to evaluate headlines.

These include EMV Headline Analyzer and OptinMonster Headline Analyzer. If your post has a strong title, it will attract more visitors to your blog website.

6. Add Images and Charts to Make your Content Appealing

In the human mind, images have a greater influence than words. It causes our brains to have an emotional reaction. As a result, using photographs, maps, and other visual elements in your article is always a good idea. It increases website traffic.

Users find it easier to understand details when graphs and charts are used in documents. That way, they become more involved with the material as a result. Images also help users concentrate on the written material by drawing their attention to it.

One thing to keep in mind when using photos in your content is to select them carefully. You can’t just use any picture because copyright protects them, and using them could result in serious consequences.

So, you can use your photos or go to one of the many places that sell royalty-free images and take what you want from there.

7. Sharing on Social Media

Social Media Sites — *By: Jessica Jane/Flickr @All Rights Reserved*

Social media has developed into a dominant medium in today’s generation. To increase website traffic to your blog, it’s always a good idea to post your blogs or posts on social media.

When publishing posts on social media, remember that you must do so daily to generate traffic. People will not only follow you on social media but will also visit your blog page.

Once they read your posts on social media sites and find them appealing and useful, it’ll help you.

Users enthralled with your material are more likely to share it with their mates. As a result, the blog will attract a larger audience, resulting in increased website traffic.

It is a good thing to post your articles on social media as per your field. For example, if you are writing a business article, you will get more traffic on sites like LinkedIn.

8. Find Influencers to Engage with Them

Every field has its own set of influencers who are experts in their area. The same goes for blogging. You must seek out influencers who will assist you in website traffic to your blog.

This method is challenging since all influencers receive a large number of messages. But, at the same time, you must persevere because it is not impossible.

You must be considering gaining the attention of an influencer and convincing them to support your website. To begin with, you’ll need to strike up a conversation with them. You can comment on their content and post it on your blog and social media sites.

You can also mention them, answer their questions, and leave comments on their blogs to get their attention.

Who doesn’t like receiving compliments? Influencers love it when you acknowledge their efforts, and they will pay attention to you.

You can ask them to promote your blogs once you’ve established a relationship with them. You can also seek guidance on how to improve your pages. You will be able to push more website traffic to your blog in this manner.

9. Using Social Proof

People in today’s world are curious about other people’s thoughts and experiences. They use it as social evidence and base their decisions and choices on it.

If you want to maximize the number of visitors to your blog, you can use social evidence on your website and social media sites.

You’re probably thinking about how to improve social evidence on your blog right now. There is a slew of options for doing so. You should provide a feedback form and request that your audience complete it. You can ask them to rate and review your posts.

You will use the feedback and thoughts of your users in future posts. Users often suggest different topics, and writing blogs on those topics attract users.

You can share your social media, and email list subscriber counts with your users, which will drive more traffic to your blog.

10. Learn and Use SEO Basics and Online Marketing

SEO — *By: Kwame Baldwin/Flickr @All Rights Reserved*

Search engine optimization is one of the most effective methods for increasing website traffic by boosting the search engine ranking. You don’t need to be an SEO expert to accomplish this. It is sufficient to assist you if you are familiar with the fundamentals.

Without the assistance of a professional, you can do SEO for your blog website on your own. Several applications can assist you, including Google Search Console and Google Keyword Planner.

These tools will provide you with helpful tips and even videos to help you understand. If your blog increases in popularity, you’ll need to learn new strategies for making it even more profitable.

So, you must learn the basics of search engine optimization and online marketing to get more website traffic for your blog website.

11. Internal Linking and Backlinks

Once you’ve started writing and publishing quality content, you can begin connecting your new blog posts to your older ones. It is known as internal linking, and it is another excellent way to increase website traffic to your blog.

Internal links are critical for SEO. They help Google understand the relationship between your website’s various articles or blogs. It is also used as a rating signal.

Internal links, when used correctly, will help you increase website traffic and page views. Make it a habit to connect your blogs to previous articles if you want your blog website to be effective.

Another significant aspect that influences search engine rankings is this. In addition to internal linking, Backlinks are a good way to increase website traffic to your blog. A backlink is a link from another blog or website to your own.

Backlinks from well-known websites and blogs are difficult to come by. It will drive website traffic to your website if a famous webpage includes a link to your website or blog in one of its posts.

You must contact influencers and inform them that you have blogs connected to their blogs to communicate to their posts.

Once you use both internal links and backlinks in your blogs, it’ll help improve your search engine ranking. Hence, you will get more website traffic on your blog website.

Is it true that you’re having trouble with the website traffic to your blog? Are you still curious as to when users can begin to visit your website?

Is it possible that you’re producing excellent content, but your website traffic isn’t increasing? This guide will assist you in overcoming this problem.

Just follow the ways mentioned above, and you will be able to drive more website traffic for your blog website.

11 Interesting Legit Online Jobs You Can Find on Internet – bit copied

Are you looking for legit online jobs? Also, the one that will be a full-time income job, working from home rather than something that’s only going to help you make money for a short period?

It is necessary while considering today’s Coronavirus situation because businesses all across the globe have shut down their offices and adapted the remote mode of work. As per Time Magazine, COVID led the “world’s largest work from the home experiment.

Earlier, most people didn’t encourage the work-from-home concept because it wasn’t profitable at all. According to the time, there are many opportunities for people to earn money from home as various legit online jobs are available.

In 2020, the improvement in technology and the emergence of large-scale social media usage ushered in a new wave of legitimate online jobs.

11 best legit online jobs you can find on the internet

The top 11 legit online jobs have the ideal mix of large-scale demand, a low supply of talented individuals,s and the potential to start earning fast.

1) Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant is a person who offers support services to a business from a remote mode or location. Administrative tasks are generally common for virtual assistants, but they can also be related to any other elements required by the business.

Virtual assistants are in demand by Traders and Online businesses that need help but don’t want to spend money on office space for staff.

This is a good option if you are looking for legit online jobs. However, many small businesses use virtual support, especially for specific tasks such as social media management. These people work as remote executive assistants doing some particular tasks.

Following are the common tasks carried out by Virtual assistants, including answering emails, scheduling appointments, or booking travel.

Some assistants take on multiple agents simultaneously, allowing them to earn over five figures a year from home.
Average pay: $15 to $40 per hour approx

Benefit: The more systematic and efficient you become, the more clients or customers you can add.

Disadvantage: Mostly business people would want you to work only for certain hours of the day.

2) Photography

If you are looking for legit online jobs and your photography skills are amazing, you have plenty of online jobs for photographers and image buffs. You can take awesome photos of anything, and there are good chances that you can sell them to online image sellers and create a niche side income online.

It is an easy task with smartphones and digital photography technology today, and anyone can take and sell photos. Many websites, blogs, and even social media need images and photographs to engage and attract their audience, so they are willing to pay for great shots.

It doesn’t matter whether you are taking pictures of natural attractions in your area or focusing on staged shots. There is supposed to be a buyer out there who wants to use your photograph and is willing to pay for it. Therefore, it can prove to be one of the best legit online jobs.

Average pay: 10 to 40 cents per image approx

Benefit: Many of us have it as a hobby, which can be turned into a profession.

Disadvantage: It takes time to build up your stock of photos for sale.

3) Freelance Writing

If you are good at writing and looking for a legit online job, you can earn a high income as a freelance writer. You can work in a niche that you enjoy and understand while making (from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars per article.)

A freelancer can be described as a self-employed person who provides services, usually to multiple clients at a time.

As a freelance writer, if you want to increase your earning capacity, you should try working directly with businesses and finding online clients. Regarding freelance writing, you write online content for blogs, magazines, and online businesses, etc.

There are a variety of legit online jobs available in the field of freelance writing. To search for customers, try engaging with online businesses to inquire if they need any content.

Talk and engage with their social media contacts online, and reach out to site editors to look if they have any vacancies.

Apart from that, you can try having your website post your written content in the niche because this is a great way to find new customers. They can see your writing’s standard or quality, which leads you to the top paying online jobs.

Average pay: $10 to $35 per hour approx

Benefit: In the contemporary world, the growth of online publishing is increasing, and because of this, there is a huge demand for freelance writers.

Disadvantage: One should have some experience

4) Bookkeeping

Are you looking for legit online jobs to work from home? If you have a head for figures and especially if you know accounts or have financial planning experience, you can earn money by helping individuals or other businesses with bookkeeping. Bookkeeping is a major task for ensuring that a company runs smoothly and will survive in the future.

Market your services to entrepreneurs to help them manage their finances. Find customers by searching local works in your locality or joining social media such as Facebook groups to promote your services.

One can make a lot of money if they are interested in numbers and do legit online jobs. There are a lot of opportunities available in this field. It doesn’t require any certification.

Average pay: $20 to $50 per hour approx

Benefits: You will work with customers on an attendant or retainer basis, which offers you a steady income base.

Disadvantage: Atleast need basic training for the first customer.

5) Translator

If you are looking for suitable legit online jobs, then becoming a translator is the best option. A translator converts the written word from one language to another without losing the literal meaning.

It doesn’t matter which country you are in. Being a translator is always fruitful. So, one can use translation online earning sites to make more money from home.

The best thing is that one doesn’t require a degree (although having a bachelor’s degree helps), but the most important requirement is fluency in at least 2 languages.

One can easily look for hundreds of projects related to transcriptions to make money online. Not only that, the approx national wage in this field was around $46,000 in 2016, although the top 10% of workers earned an average of $83,000.

There are sites available like LinkedIn and Freelancer, which can help you find legit online jobs. Everything depends on the languages you are an expert in and how effectively you can translate from one language to another.

Average pay:$5 to$50 per page approx

Benefits: It is very convenient and easy if you are fluent in any two languages.

Disadvantage: It can be very time-consuming, and at the same time, is a slow process to make money.

6) Online Tutoring

In India, during this pandemic, the high-growth business industry right now is online education. Apart from that, one of the fastest-growing niches within online education is online tutoring jobs.

There are a lot of legit online jobs available in the field of education. If you enjoy helping others learn, your knowledge can be put to good use through online tutoring.

You don’t require any qualifications if you are good at that particular subject. Platforms such as Udemy are a great place to sell your course.

Average pay: $20 per hour approx

Benefits: There is a chance to start earning in as little as a few weeks.

Disadvantage: Limited upside.

7) Medical Transcription

If you are looking for legit online jobs, being a Medical transcription is one of the best options. Even though many medical transcriptionists work at hospitals or physician’s offices, most can work from home or at a time or place according to their wish.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report: Medical transcriptionists earned a national median wage of $34,770 in May of 2018 or $16.72 an hour even after being self-employed.

They usually edit medical transcriptions for local healthcare providers. The most important thing regarding this is that medical transcription requires a certification. With the medical transcription certification approved by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity, you can prepare yourself to land an online job as a transcriptionist in an industry that’s hungry for qualified talent.

Average pay:$10 to $25 per hour approx

Benefits: It is a steady source of income

Disadvantages: One needs a high startup cost to earn a credential.

8) Travel agent

One should believe that travel agents are still in demand, and there are many opportunities present in this field if you are looking for legit online jobs. It just depends on finding the right niche. This is a good business for you if you have personal or professional travel experience because you can offer your clients insights they can’t get from a website.

Travel agents are in charge of helping individuals, groups, and business travelers plan and organize their travel schedules, purchase tour packages, and book flights and hotels. A travel agent also plans trips and offers advice on destinations.

We all know that job prospects can be best for travel agents who offer expertise in certain areas of the world, have experience in planning tours, or focus on group travel. So, if you have experience in traveling, there are various legit online jobs available in that field.

Average pay: It depends on the cost

Benefits: It is a way to earn more money for those who love to travel.

Disadvantage: Income can vary, as travel tends to rise at certain times of the year.

9) Social media marketing

Use social media platforms to connect with your audience to build your brand or increase sales and drive website traffic. This involves publishing great content on your social media profiles, engaging your followers, evaluating results, and running social media advertisements. This is an excellent option when you are finding legit online jobs.

The prime social media platforms are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, and Snapchat.
Generally, what happens is that many company owners don’t have the time to make consistent updates to their social media platforms or to respond to customer requests and answers made through social media.
That is why companies nowadays hire social media managers for media marketing.

As long as you can post accurately and manage content on social media channels, you can take on customers and begin your job. So, what are you waiting for? Search for legit online jobs in the field of social media marketing.

Average pay: $20 to $100 per hour approx

Benefits: They work on a retainer basis.

Disadvantages: Limited upside

10) Data entry

Data entry may not be one of the exciting legit online jobs, but it can offer you to earn $15 to $20 per hour. Data entry is a legit online job that does pay less than some of the others we’ve listed, but it can provide you to make a decent side income.

These jobs tend to be highly flexible, which provides you to work in your spare time. You can opt to work as much as you can or as little as you need according to your schedule.
There are various platforms like Capital typing, which allow you to find online data entry jobs. Most of these generally require setting up a basic profile and confirming a few details before you start earning. This is one of the best legit online jobs.

Benefits: It is a very convenient task to do.

Disadvantage: Less earning.

11) Graphic Design

If you are an artist, graphic design is a great way to monetize your hobby to turn your passion into money. This is one of the most creative legit online jobs available. The web is becoming more and more visual, especially as mobile devices have become the supreme browsing method.

The highest-paid graphic designers compile multiple skills into their designs. Knowledge in branding or sales can help – graphic designers to charge over $150 per hour. Choose this among all the legit online jobs if you want something creative.

Average pay: $150 per hour approx

Benefits: One can work in flexible hours

Disadvantage: It needs certain kinds of certifications.

Overall, we can say that the internet has made it much easier to make money from home nowadays. Many people are just looking for legit online jobs and opportunities to make a little money here and there by taking online surveys. Whether your goal is to work full-time, part-time, or run your own business, there’s no shortage of work-at-home jobs. So, it is time to get ready and get started today. Take at least one action and give a fresh start to your career.

Your Ultimate Guide to Website Development: 8 Things to Know

Website development is the work that it takes to build or create a website. It includes creating a single plain-text web page to developing a complex web application or even social network.

Learning website development takes a lot of effort and understanding, but you can be a good website developer once you get familiar with it.

Website development precisely refers to coding and web markup. It consists of all related development tasks like server-side scripting, client-side scripting, e-commerce development, server and network security, and content management system (CMS) development.

Importance of Website Development

With the world becoming technology-driven, website development has evolved as a significant profession. Be it any business or industry; it always needs a website developer to make a grip over their audience online.

The internet isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and more than half the world’s population is using the internet to fulfill their various needs.

To fulfill all the needs of people searching online, websites are required, and creating a good website takes a skilled website developer.

Not only this, but a lot of social media platforms are also getting introduced nowadays and such platforms are also designed and created by website developers. These are the main reasons why the website development industry is rapidly growing, and a lot of people are taking to website development as a profession.

What Skills Should a Website Developer Possess?

Anyone can choose to be a website developer as you don’t need a fancy degree in computer science to master the skills of website development. It just takes your interest and passion in the field.

You must have enough knowledge of the basics of website development, such as basics of how the internet and websites work, HTML, CSS, and Javascript, knowledge about libraries and frameworks, and other programming languages.

Basics One Should Know About Before Becoming a Website Developer

What is a Website?

Websites are the files stored on servers. It is described as a collection of web pages and related content that share a single domain name. These servers are connected to a vast network called the internet. Those websites are loaded through a network by various browsers (for instance, Google Chrome).

IP Address

IP means Internet Protocol. It alludes to the set of standards that regulates interaction on the internet. You must know the IP address to access a particular site.

An IP address is a unique thread of numbers, and each device and site has its own IP address that distinguishes it from the other websites and devices connected via the internet.

Though one can access a site using its IP address, most internet users do it through domain names or search engines.

Concept of HTTP

HTTP refers to HyperText Transfer Protocol. It connects you and your website request to the remote server that stores all website data. It is a set of rules that defines how messages should be sent over the internet.

Whenever you search for something through a search engine, HTTP provides a framework to ensure that the client (computer) and the server can speak the same language when making requests and respond to each other over the internet.

It is the translator between you and the internet that reads your request and translates it for you in terms of a website.

Coding

Coding means writing code for various servers and applications using programming languages. We call them ‘languages’ because they consist of vocabulary and grammatical rules for communicating with computers.

They also comprise special commands, abbreviations and punctuation that can be read only by devices and programs.

Every software is written in at least one coding language, though the languages vary based on platform, operating system, and style. There are a lot of coding languages, and they fall into two categories i.e., front-end and back-end.

Front-end

The Front end is the client-side. It is that side of a software or website that you get to see and interact with as an internet user. When the website information is transferred to a browser from a server, front-end coding languages allow the website to function without continuously communicating with the internet.

Website developers who work on front-end coding have to work on client-side development.

Back-end

The Back-end is server-side. It is the side that you don’t get to see when using the internet. It is looked at as the digital infrastructure, and to non-developers, it appears to be a bunch of numbers, letters, and symbols.

Back-end coding languages are more in numbers than front-end languages because browsers at the front-end understand only Java Script, but the server at the back-end understands almost every language.

What do you Understand by CMS?

CMS refers to the Content Management System. It is a web application or series of programs that are used to create and manage web content. It is not necessary, but it makes things easier while building a website as it provides the building blocks, such as plugins and add-ons, and lets you create the structure with your code.

Generally, CMSs are used for blogging and e-commerce, but they are useful for other kinds of sites as well.

Cybersecurity

With the existence of the internet, many users are looking to find flaws in the websites to steal data and expose private information and crash servers.

All this makes cybersecurity important as it is a practice to save and secure data, computers, and networks from various threats.

With the constant increase in methods used by the hackers, the measures taken to secure the sites and computers are also increasing with time.

Process of Website development

The road to create a website is not that easy. It consists of many steps that are different from each other and each development path is different based on types of websites, programming languages and resources.

1) Formation of a Plan

The first thing before getting started is to form a powerful plan for your website. It’s really important to connect and communicate with your team and personnel to strategize a good plan.

Some of the questions that one should consider before beginning the website development process :
a) Goal of your website
b) Who’s your target audience?
c) Decide the type of website (basic informational, membership or online store, etc.)
d) What kind of content are you aiming to publish and what’s the purpose of this content?
e) How will you structure your website to make it easy for people to navigate?
f) What’s your budget?

Get in contact with all your team members and find answers to those questions. It is only after you have your answers that you should begin the process of website development.

2) Create a Blueprint

All the good websites start with a blueprint. It is called a wireframe or sitemap in the language of the developers. It need not be an official document as it’s just a vision for your site that will help and give directions to both you and your team. You can either draw it on a whiteboard/blackboard or use some tool like Slickplan and Invision etc.

The sitemap gives you a clear picture of your idea to let you take a look at your own vision. Here are some important questions to ask yourself while planning your site:

a) What individual pages do you want? What content will be there on those pages?
b) Ways to organize those pages into categories.
c) Hierarchy of the pages on your site.
d) How will you link the pages together?
e) What pages and categories are important for your site and which ones should be removed?

While answering these questions, you should consult with your team members as their inputs can add to the structure of your site.

3) Writing Down your Website Code

Writing the website code is the next step in the process of website development. As a developer, you must use different coding languages for the front-end and Back-end of the website, as well as for different functionalities of the site, such as design etc. These languages work together to build your site.

The most commonly used languages are:

HTML

HyperText Markup Language is the base of all websites and is significantly needed when creating a site. It has been used since 1990s. You can even create a website with only HTML but it wouldn’t look that good though.

CSS

Cascading Style Sheets enhances and modifies the basic structure built by HTML codes. It was developed in the late 1990s. It helps you add design elements like colors, typography and layouts to websites.

CSS permits you to transform your website into a better version and makes it match the level you envisioned for your site.

JavaScript

JavaScript acts like a cherry on top of coding languages. It is used to add functionalities to your website. Developers use it to add animations and interactive features that make the site better and enhance user experience.

JavaScript is continuously evolving. In today’s world, it is the most widely used coding language.

4) Building the Back-end of Your Website

The back-end controls the data that enables the functionalities on the front-end. Like Facebook’s Back-end stores the pictures so that the front-end can allow others to look at them.

The back-end comprises of two components that are that databases and servers. Database is meant to store, organize and process data so that it can be retrievable by server requests. Servers are the hardware and software that make up your computer. They are meant to send, process and receive data requests.

These components are significant to build the foundation of your website. To build a website, Back-end developers must establish these things:

Logic code: It refers to a set of rules that defines how your website will respond to certain requests and how the objects of your website will interact.

Database management: It is about how your website will organize, manage and retrieve its data.

Infrastructure: It is the way your site will be hosted.

5) Building the Front-end of Your Website

The front-end of a website is very important as it is what your visitors, users and customers will get to see and how they’ll use and navigate the website.

Development of front-end includes a combination of JavaScript, CSS and HTML.

It also handles the components such as fonts, positioning, navigation, browser compatibility and responsiveness. With the constant change in technology and consumer preferences, client-side coding tends to get outdated faster than Back-end development.

6) Work with a CMS

This is an optional step. You must be curious why would someone choose to work with a CMS instead of coding by hand. It is because a CMS is easier to use and it even has tools for hosting a site.

At the same time, it’s less flexible and hence gives you less control over the front-end of your website. CMS options include plugins as well, that removes the need to write a Back-end for your site.

7) Decide a Domain Name

At this point of time, your website will have an IP address. It needs a domain name as well. Decide a good name for your website that your audience and visitors would use to find your site.

Get your domain name registered as well. You must have heard of sites like GoDaddy. These services help you purchase a domain name for your site and register it with ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers).

Most of the domain registration are good for an year, as after that you are required to renew.

8) Launch Your Website

After you are done setting up a domain name and linked it to your host, you are almost ready to present your work on web. Though there are still a few things that you need to check before officially launching your website.

These include distribution of responsibilities among the team members, testing your site to make sure that there are no glitches, optimizing for SEO and a final complete check before finally launching your site and making it available to the users.

So, are you ready to create your own site after getting well versed with the basics and process of website development? This guide offers you a comprehensive knowledge about all the significant steps for website development. You just need a passion within yourself to learn the methods and you are not far enough to launch your own website. Best wishes.

Amazon Echo or Google Home Hub – Which One Should You Buy?

The Internet of Things has made it possible to do things that would earlier only be a part of science fiction movies – turn on music with a command of your voice, turn on your lights, program thermostat to turn on or off or get an answer to any question you want. This practical implosion of home connecting technology was started with the Amazon Echo, and followed up by many products who have tried to replicate the magic; but the one competitor that stands out is Google Home.

Amazon Echo or Google Home Hub – The Answer

Worried which of the two is better? Here is a round up of what both has to offer first.

Amazon Echo

If you still haven’t quite understood what Amazon Echo does, think of it as a small black cylinder, equipped with Bluetooth and far field, connected to the Internet and a microphone that is always on. There is a personal assistant called Alexa. You can use it to control smart home products, to order yourself a pizza, track a package or to play some music. The best thing is that there are hundreds of Alexa ‘skills’, and more are added regularly which makes the whole list grow considerably. Alexa is capable of doing around a thousand ‘skills’.

Google Home

Among the more popular alternatives to the Amazon Echo is Google Home. Google Home too integrates with your smart home products, answers questions, and helps you with various skills like checking a flight status or making a to-do list. All you have to do is say ‘Okay, Google’ and you can command whichever task you need. The voice commands and the comprehension on the Google Home system are outstanding, and it performs tasks smoothly. It also offers the ease of familiarity for those already using Android products.

The presence of these two behemoths in the market may make it hard to decide which one to choose if you want to feel the future a little early. Here are the pros of each product over the other, which will help make the decision.

Amazon Echo – Advantages over Google Home

So, in the race between Amazon Echo or Google Home Hub, what works for the former?

The biggest advantage that Amazon Echo provides is how much like an actual personal assistant Alexa feels. For activating Google home, you need an ‘Okay, Google’ command, which is kind of robotic. Alexa responds to Alexa, Amazon and Echo; and the Echo lights up around the edges when it is listening, creating for a much more fulfilling experience than the Google Assistant. Apart from this, Alexa is attuned to human sensibilities – for example, if you ask Alexa how kids are born, it replies in an awkward tone to ask Mommy or Daddy. This is wonderful for parents with younger children. If a child asks Alexa about Santa Claus, the assistant will play along.
The constant number of skills that Alexa is able to do is upgraded very frequently. You can even play tic tac toe or bingo with Alexa, call an Uber, get Alexa to entertain you telling jokes, or hold an actual conversation – Alexa even gets movie and TV series references, and replies in the same fashion.
Amazon Echo has a bigger list of smart home partnerships, making it easy for a wider variety of people to use it without modifications to their entire house. Google Home has notably partnered with Nest and certain other third party products; but Echo has a [partnership with Nest, Ecobee, SmartThings, Wink, Insteon, Belkin WeMo, Philips Hue, Lifx, Big Ass Fans, IFTTT, and with other devices via “Skills”.
Finally, Alexa is the future – Alexa will be present not only in Amazon devices, but all around you in 2019 itself. Alexa is available in the Samsung Family Hub Bridge, and the Ford Sync. The latter has even garnered rave reviews – here Alexa has adapted itself to an automobile and combines its usual skills with some driving skills. Third party devices too are getting integrated with Alexa. The first of these is the Invoxia Triby – it helps you make your refrigerator smarter without spending a small fortune on one, and it comes integrated with Alexa.

Google Home – Advantages over Amazon Echo

When it comes to Amazon Echo or Google Home Hub, how does the latter fare?

The Amazon Echo devices can’t be synced with each other. For example, if you have more than one Echo, you can’t get one song to play simultaneously on all your devices throughout the house. Google Home provides a benefit here, as all a speaker needs is to be enabled with Google Cast and you will be able to use it for music, either individually or simultaneously.
Another edge Google Home has over Amazon Echo is that it is customizable. You can make it your own with different choices of colors and materials. This might make a difference to a particular sect of shoppers.

Conclusion – which one to buy?

So. Amazon Echo or Google Home Hub – what’s the answer? For a truly smart, integrated home, keeping in mind the human touch, the Amazon Echo emerges as the clear choice. Google has a lot of catching up to do. However if you are big on large parties or need an amazing sound system throughout your house, you might consider the Google Home; but as an overall product, the Amazon Echo wins because of its versatility and realness. Plus the regular updates make it more exciting as well as useful. The way Alexa’s reach is spreading clearly shows that it is the personal assistant of the future.