Game testing is a critical aspect of game development that involves identifying and addressing bugs, glitches, and other issues that may affect the gameplay experience. It is essential to ensure that the game functions correctly and meets the quality standards expected by players. However, game testing can be a complex and time-consuming process that requires specialized skills and experience. That is why many game development companies choose to outsource their game testing needs to a professional service.

Outsourcing game testing to a professional service allows game developers to focus on other critical aspects of game development, such as game design and coding, while ensuring that the game testing process is carried out efficiently and effectively. In this article, we will explore the benefits of outsourcing game testing to a professional service and how it can help improve the quality of game development.

Cost-Effective Solution

Comparison of costs between in-house testing and outsourcing:

When deciding whether to build an in-house testing team or outsource game testing to a professional service, game developers must consider the costs associated with both options. Here are some of the key factors to consider when comparing the costs of in-house testing versus outsourcing:

1. Recruitment and hiring costs: Building an in-house testing team requires recruiting and hiring personnel, which can be a time-consuming and expensive process. Outsourcing game testing eliminates the need for these costs.
2. Equipment and software costs: Building an in-house testing team requires purchasing equipment and software licenses, which can be expensive. Outsourcing game testing allows game developers to use the equipment and software provided by the professional service, reducing costs.
3. Overhead costs: Building an in-house testing team requires paying for employee benefits, office space, utilities, and other overhead costs. Outsourcing game testing eliminates the need for these costs.

Explanation of cost-saving benefits of outsourcing:

Outsourcing game testing to a professional service can provide game developers with several cost-saving benefits, including:

1. Reduced labor costs: Outsourcing game testing eliminates the need for recruiting, hiring, and training new staff, which can be expensive.
2. Scalable solutions: Professional game testing services can provide scalable solutions that can be customized to fit the game development company’s needs and budget.
3. Access to specialized skills: Outsourcing game testing to a professional service provides game developers with access to a team of experienced testers who specialize in game testing and have the skills and expertise required to identify and address potential issues.
4. Increased efficiency: Professional game testing services have access to the latest testing tools and technologies, such as automation testing and cloud-based testing, which can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the testing process.

Expertise and Experience

Explanation of the specialized skills required for game testing

Game testing requires specialized skills and experience to identify potential issues and bugs that can impact gameplay. Game testers need to have a deep understanding of game design, mechanics, and user experience, as well as the ability to document and communicate their findings effectively. Additionally, game testers need to have a keen eye for detail and the ability to think creatively to identify potential issues that may not be immediately apparent.

Comparison of in-house testing team and professional game testing service

While some game development companies may choose to build an in-house testing team, outsourcing game testing to a professional service can provide a significant advantage in terms of expertise and experience. Here are some of the key factors to consider when comparing in-house testing teams and professional game testing services:

1. Specialized skills: Professional game testing services have a team of experienced testers who specialize in game testing and have worked on multiple game development projects across various genres and platforms. In contrast, an in-house testing team may not have the same level of specialized skills and experience.
2. Cost: Building an in-house testing team can be expensive, requiring recruiting, hiring, and training new staff, as well as purchasing equipment and software licenses. Outsourcing game testing can provide cost-effective solutions that can save game developers money.
3. Scalability: Professional game testing services can provide scalable solutions that can be customized to fit the game development company’s needs and budget. In contrast, building an in-house testing team can be difficult to scale up or down based on the company’s testing needs.

Explanation of the benefits of working with an experienced game testing service

Working with an experienced game testing service can provide game developers with several benefits, including:

1. Access to specialized skills: Professional game testing services have a team of experienced testers who specialize in game testing and have the skills and expertise required to identify and address potential issues.
2. Comprehensive testing solutions: Professional game testing services can offer comprehensive testing solutions, including functionality testing, compatibility testing, usability testing, localization testing, and more.
3. Latest testing tools and technologies: Professional game testing services have access to the latest testing tools and technologies, such as automation testing and cloud-based testing, which can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the testing process.
4. Valuable insights and recommendations: Experienced game testing services can provide game developers with valuable insights and recommendations based on their experience working on multiple game development projects across various genres and platforms.

Overall, working with an experienced game testing service can provide game developers with access to a team of specialized testers who have the skills, expertise, and tools required to ensure that their games meet the quality standards expected by players.

Scalability and Flexibility

Explanation of the challenges of scaling an in-house testing team

Scaling an in-house testing team can be challenging and time-consuming for game development companies. Some of the challenges include:

1. Recruiting and hiring: Building an in-house testing team requires recruiting and hiring new staff, which can be time-consuming and expensive.
2. Training: Once new testers have been hired, they need to be trained on the game development company’s testing processes and procedures, which can also be time-consuming.
3. Equipment and software: Scaling an in-house testing team requires purchasing additional equipment and software licenses, which can be expensive.
4. Testing capacity: Even after the in-house testing team has been scaled, there may still be limitations on the amount of testing that can be performed, which can be challenging during peak development periods.

Benefits of outsourcing game testing in terms of scalability and flexibility

Outsourcing game testing to a professional service can provide game development companies with several benefits in terms of scalability and flexibility, including:

1. Scalability: Professional game testing services can provide scalable solutions that can be customized to fit the game development company’s needs and budget. This can be particularly beneficial during peak development periods when additional testing capacity is required.
2. Flexibility: Professional game testing services can provide flexible solutions that can be tailored to fit the game development company’s specific testing needs. This can include testing for specific platforms or devices, as well as testing for specific features or functionality.
3. Access to a large pool of testers: Professional game testing services have access to a large pool of testers, which can provide game development companies with greater flexibility in terms of scheduling and testing capacity.
4. Faster turnaround times: Professional game testing services can provide faster turnaround times for testing and bug fixes, which can help accelerate the game development process and improve time-to-market.

Increased Objectivity

Explanation of the benefits of having an objective testing team

Having an objective testing team can provide game development companies with several benefits, including:

1. Unbiased evaluation: An objective testing team can provide unbiased evaluation of the game, which can help identify potential issues or areas for improvement that might be overlooked by an in-house team.
2. Fresh perspective: Professional game testers bring a fresh perspective to the game, which can help identify issues that may not be immediately apparent to the in-house team.
3. Testing from a player’s perspective: Professional game testers can provide testing from a player’s perspective, which can help identify issues that impact the overall player experience.

Comparison of in-house testing team and professional game testing service

In-house testing teams may have a biased perspective when testing a game, as they are involved in the game development process and may have personal investment in the success of the game. In contrast, professional game testing services provide an objective testing team that is not involved in the game development process and can provide unbiased feedback.

Professional game testing services have experience in testing a variety of games across different genres and platforms, which can provide a fresh perspective on the game. In contrast, in-house testing teams may have limited experience testing games, especially if the game development company is new to the industry.

Overall, having an objective testing team can provide game development companies with unbiased evaluation, fresh perspective, and testing from a player’s perspective. Professional game testing services provide this benefit by providing an objective team with experience in testing a variety of games across different genres and platforms.

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People search for something on Google about 3.5 billion times per day. And every online business competes daily for all this online traffic. Only a few of them succeed, though. Those who do great on Google are definitely investing in SEO with both their money and time.

Many ignore the benefits of SEO because they think it’s too expensive and complicated. But it shouldn’t be like that. If you know where to search, you can even buy premium links from $30. This will help you beat your competition, get traffic, and acquire new leads. Still, having doubts? Today, we’ll explore why SEO investment is essential for any business.

What Exactly Is SEO?

You might think this question is obvious. Yet, when I talk to business owners, most of them imagine SEO as inserting some keywords here and there. But the truth is that SEO for businesses consists of many aspects. At its heart, SEO is a strategy that helps increase the visibility of a website on search engines. But this strategy is a complex set of tactics that might even use Big Data. It’s an entirely different story, but you can see this page to learn more about the role of big data in digital marketing.

There are many factors to consider when it comes to SEO investment. Google has broad ranking guidelines, so you have to understand what you are doing. That’s why you need a clear yet flexible strategy. Otherwise, all your efforts will be pointless.

Why Does SEO Investment Matter?

Many businesses find investing in SEO useless. But in a world where even our grannies use the internet, ignoring the search rankings isn’t the best strategy. SEO allows you to reach new audiences that can love your brand. What can you expect from search engine optimization?

• Business visibility. Billions of people are using search engines to find products or services. It puts you in front of those searching for keywords in your niche.
• Competitive advantage. Who doesn’t want to stay ahead of the competition? SEO investment gives you that opportunity. While paid ads are temporary and costly, SEO can give you long-term results while spending less.
• Client loyalty. Want to form lasting bonds with your customers? SEO helps you know what is important to them, so you can provide the value they need.

Benefits of SEO For Businesses

Many internet users never bother to scroll past the first page of search results. And we all know that people trust people more than they do paid ads. When it comes to SEO for businesses, the advantages are very appealing. Some of these benefits include: 4562566526296566

Benefit 1. Stay Above The Competition

If you want to stand out, start investing in SEO. SEO can put you on top of Google search results. This lets you get a piece of massive traffic. You don’t need to be a marketer to understand that more traffic brings more clients. Of course, there are some exceptions, but it is a general rule of thumb.

More than 77% of people use Google at least three times daily. But what do they find? This is the question you must consider when doing SEO for businesses. Imagine that only 0.63% of Google users click on a link from the second search page. That’s why SEO investment is essential. It helps you stand out from the noise on the internet. Besides, it enables you to generate traffic that leads to conversions. As a result, you get more sales and revenue.

Benefit 2. Establish Your Brand Image and Improve Credibility

Brand awareness and credibility are the main ingredients in every successful business recipe. You can’t build a loyal customer base without it. Investing in SEO helps create brand awareness and establishes you as a credible authority. But it is also crucial to filter your published content to gain industry leadership. If the information you share is false or useless, your brand won’t get stronger.

When you have high-quality content, you can start getting the benefits of SEO. Analyze your competitors, audit your current website, and create an actionable strategy. First, concentrate on local SEO instead of choosing highly-competitive general keywords. Look at how Thumbwind does it. Instead of targeting ‘unemployment application,’ they focus on ‘unemployment application in Michigan’. The search volume is smaller for local SEO but ranking top 10 is much easier and cheaper.

Benefit 3. Enhance Your User’s Experience

88% of users never return to a website with a bad user experience. And 80% of those people are willing to pay extra for a better user experience. Clearly, good UX is a must for any business now. You should fix this before investing in SEO to ensure that nothing will stop you from getting results.

You can build customer advocacy and long-term revenue with great UI/UX. Work on your site’s structure and navigation. Ensure your webpage is secure and adheres to Google’s SEO requirements. You should also use analytics tools to audit your site regularly. Besides, try to improve mobile-friendliness for your webpage. This also helps you get more benefits of SEO.

Benefit 4. Improve Your Marketing Campaigns

SEO investment aligns well with just about any marketing goal. The primary objectives of most search engine optimization strategies often are to:

• Broaden the audience’s reach
• Raise awareness about new or existing products/services
• Attract new investments
• Increase ROI

SEO for businesses fits all these goals. And if performed well, SEO can even optimize your expenses on paid ads and influencer marketing.

Conclusion

Investing in SEO is essential for any business that wants long-term success. As SEO strategies evolve, the competition gets stiffer. But with an appropriate strategy, you can get the results you want. With solid SEO investment, you can increase your traffic, get loyal customers, and increase revenue.

The post Investing in SEO: Reasons & Benefits for Your Business appeared first on Platform to Showcase Innovative Startups and Tech News.

Sales rep coaching is the process of improving sales managers’ professional skills to improve their performance and drive your company’s sales results. Have you ever used coaching for reps? Do you know its key benefits for boosting your company revenue? In this post, you will get to know all about the importance of coaching for reps and the features of the best sales coaching business software. 

Benefits of Coaching for Reps

The effectiveness of your company’s sales depends on the reps’ potential and the managers’ ability to help them remove the obstacles that prevent them from successful selling. This can be achieved through sales coaching. Coaching sales reps provides your company with plenty of vital advantages. Let us enumerate the key ones. 

• Professional coaching increases employee productivity by almost 90%, while training alone increases productivity by only 22%.
• Coaching increases sales performance, improves team spirit, boosts talent retention, and strengthens team relationships.
• More than 90% of managers with coaching experience confirmed that it is the number one tool for growth and development for every manager.
• Sales coaching platforms help to boost sales performance and build cooperation among your sales teams.
• Special coaching software uses measurable AI-driven insights that help reps take all the necessary steps to achieve the best results in sales.  
• Coaching reps help to master all the necessary techniques for focusing directly on specific deals and guiding sales managers through the sales cycles.  
• Sales coaching increases the job satisfaction of your employees. When they achieve great results in their work, they will be more likely to keep on getting new knowledge and improve their professional skills. 
• Sales rep coaching allows sharing the best practices and techniques that can boost your sales revenue in the best way. Hence, your sales leaders will understand better both your market and potential buyers. 
• Coaching helps significantly reduce conflict in teams and allows them to work in the same direction using available metrics and tools to improve overall performance.
• The main advantage of coaching for reps is that it is a great investment in business development and a significant contribution to the company’s future. As a result, your team will work smoothly and generate regular income. 
• Coaching sales reps allows for overtaking your competitors. It helps to discover new business opportunities, become a leader in your niche, and unlock each rep’s potential.

Key Components of Effective Rep Coaching

Coaching a sales team requires using special encouragement and studying techniques so that the coaching process is effective for your company’s reps. The key components of such coaching are:  

1. Relationship building. Employees must trust their coaches. The latter must be fair and honest, as well as be able to communicate clearly. Reps should understand the coaching objectives and follow the instructions easily.  
2. Providing assessment. It is one of the main components of effective rep coaching. Your managers should feel the difference between their present and the desired performance. Hence, they should be provided with constant feedback that helps to understand the coaching progress objectively. 
3. Analyzing results. While coaching your reps, you should use the appropriate metrics for analyzing sales results. This component will help you get to know which sales skills of your team should be improved first of all.  
4. Teaching new skills. You should teach your reps those skills that matter for your company’s development most of all. You can use various modules to train specific skills, as well as practice conversations and use a role-playing model.  
5. Creating an action plan. This component allows you to monitor the job performance of your reps and evaluate whether the coaching is successful. You should be sure that all sales managers and marketers understand their roles and goals clearly and that they have all the tools for effective work. Only in this case, coaching for reps in your company will be useful and lead your company to success.     

Sales Coaching Software: Features and Capabilities

Sales coaching software provides teams with great instruments for the most efficient process of improving their professional skills. Such software must be the number one priority for sales managers who want to achieve great results and get more wins. Sales coaching software provided by Revenue Grid and other developers helps configure and manage the sales process. It assists to implement the necessary changes in sales strategy, help your reps to follow the instructions and go in the right direction, and evaluates the impact of coaching. 

Hence, using such software will help to get rid of unproductive verbal coaching, decrease sales cycles, and boost your reps’ performance significantly. A reliable sales coaching software should provide you with the following features: 

• Integrations with your CRM systems;
• Sales call/meeting recording and transcription;
• Deal/account health metrics;
• Performance tracking;
• Text-based coaching; 
• Integrations with online meeting and calendar software;
• Meeting intelligence;
• Speaker identification;
• Product comparison; 
• Role-playing simulations; 
• Screen recording; 
• Goal setting and feedback; 
• Flexible AI-driven recommendations;
• Cloud storage for call recordings.

Consequently, software for sales coaching offers great tools for managers for sales performance monitoring, setting proper goals, and tracking sales progress. Thus, sales coaching platforms allow companies to enhance revenue and develop efficiently. This type of coaching will also raise the self-esteem and motivation of your employees, which will have a positive impact on their overall performance and good mood.  

Summary

Sales coaching helps managers conquer challenges and improve their professional skills. To crown it all, coaching for reps can be an effective tool for driving team results and boosting the overall performance of your company. You can use Revenue Grid sales coaching software to enhance your revenues and coach your sales team in the best way. 

The post The Importance of Coaching for Reps: How It Can Boost Performance and Drive Results appeared first on Platform to Showcase Innovative Startups and Tech News.

Section 508 is an update to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which required that all federal agency programs, activities, and content be made accessible to people with disabilities. Signed in 1998 by U.S. President Bill Clinton, Section 508 added information technology and electronic communications such as websites to those requirements. Whether you’re specifically working on 508 compliance or not, companies like accessiBe offer a suite of solutions to help you achieve greater web accessibility.

What is Section 508 Compliance?

What section 508 means: All websites, web assets, and information technology processes operated by U.S. federal agencies and departments must comply with web accessibility standards, and ensure that their communications are accessible to people with disabilities.

Who section 508 affects: All federal agencies and departments must adhere to 508 compliance. These agencies are required to complete regular reports to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the General Services Administration (GSA) to ensure continued compliance.

What are the Requirements for Section 508 Compliance?

Section 508 requires broad accessibility considerations across a number of areas, including:

• Content creation;
• Design and development;
• Website testing;
• Training, policy, and management;
• Buying and sourcing accessible products and services.

In terms of creating web content, section 508 compliance follows the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, with the same expectations that all copy, design, and user experiences are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Since WCAG 2.1 is the current standard, federal agencies can choose to align to that if they prefer—compliance to 2.1 also ensures compliance with 2.0.

To ensure 508 compliance, federal agencies need to test their websites through one of three means:

• Automated testing, through software tools that scan and evaluate web content;
• Manual testing, with web content professionals or potential users repeatedly testing the site themselves with a consistent process;
• Hybrid testing, which is a combination of both automated and manual testing.

Federal agencies can also participate in the Interagency Trusted Tester program, which promotes consistent, cost-effective testing methods to increase accuracy and reduce agency expenses.

What are the Benefits of Section 508 Compliance?

Complying with section 508 isn’t just a matter of federal law. As with web accessibility in general, it carries many other benefits, including:

• Sound, well-developed websites that run faster and are less prone to bugs and crashes;
• User experiences that are consistent, logical, and easy to navigate;
• On-page copy that is clear, direct, and easy to understand for all reading levels;
• Assets and rich media that are usable by everyone, thanks to alt-text and metadata.

It also ensures that digital content is available to a much wider audience, so the federal government is able to provide critical products and services to all residents, whether they’re disabled or not.

Section 508 compliance is a crucial law for all federal government departments and agencies, requiring that they provide accessible websites and digital experiences for all users, in accordance with WCAG 2.0. While most other organizations don’t need to worry about specific 508 requirements, they should still seek to follow current web accessibility standards for their and their customers’ benefit.

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