Consumers trust other consumers. When shopping for a product, people are much more likely to be swayed by positive reviews by real people like them than they are by the positive things store owners have to say. And that only makes sense — store owners are obviously biased toward their products, and are trying to make a sale on top of that. Other customers, though, are viewed as much more objective.

Normally, however, consumers don’t have access to other consumers’ opinions, and may have doubts about whether a product will work for them. That’s why testimonials are so valuable: They give customers the reassurance they need that your products will work for them, and you can hand-pick whose testimonials to use in your marketing materials and whose to leave, ensuring that consumers get a positive impression of your products. Read on to learn some great tips for finding and using customer testimonials.

1. Collect testimonials from current customers. Asking current customers for feedback is always a smart move. Offer slips of paper and pens for customers to write out their feedback after or while shopping, and be sure to ask for the customers’ contact info. Some companies include a box to check if customers will allow you to use their comments on your website or printed materials (don’t say the word “marketing” or you’ll turn many people off). Others choose to contact customers whose testimonials they’d like to use and ask them individually if that’s okay. Although this second method is more work, you may get better results than with a checkbox.

2. Ask experts or celebrities for testimonials. For some products or stores, expert opinions are the most effective testimonials you could get. If you’re hoping to have an expert or celebrity endorse your product, send several people the product for free — ask for permission first for larger or more expensive products — and politely ask for the person’s opinion. Do not expect that you’ll hear back, and if you do, don’t expect an endorsement once they’ve tried the product. Getting positive expert testimonials may take a few tries.

3. Include customer testimonials on your website and other marketing materials. Your website is wealth of information about the products you carry, and including testimonials is just plain smart: Without the space limitations of printed materials, there’s no reason not to include testimonials, and they may well make the difference between a sale and closed page. However, it’s also great practice to include at least two or three testimonials in written marketing materials — despite space limitations. Testimonials are so persuasive that it’s worth taking up space even on brief marketing materials to include testimonials. Include a headshot of customers if possible, both online and on printed materials. For websites, some companies choose to include rotating testimonials like a banner across the top of the site, while others have a separate page specifically for testimonials.

4. Remember that online reviews are testimonials too. You may not get to pick and choose what customers say publicly about your business, but reviews online are just as valuable as the customer testimonials you put on your website. Make sure your business is listed on as many review sites as possible, and monitor what customers are saying and respond when necessary. Know the rules for the individual sites, too — some review sites let business owners choose which reviews to take down and which to allow, while others take reviews down only in the event of obvious fakes or other violations of terms of service. It’s not such a bad thing to not be able to take down negative reviews, though — just as customers may trust reviews on review sites more than hand-picked testimonials on your website, customers may also trust review sites where owners can’t take down negative reviews over those where owners can filter out negative information.

About the Author:

Valerie is a writer for RetailPackaging.com.

Finding new and exciting ways to improve the quality of life in your home is what being a homeowner is all about. It’s these home improvement projects that help a person transition a house into a home and, while painting and carpeting and plumbing are all great things you can work on around the house, safety and security are just as important.

There are a lot of different situations that can happen in a home. While no one expects you to be able to anticipate every possible eventuality, you ought to at least see about changing and improving the way you do things around the home.

Improving Fire Safety

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), more than 3,500 Americans die each year because of fire and more than four times that many are severely injured. The reason the number is so high is because of the number of different ways a fire can occur:

• Faulty Smoke Detectors
• Overloaded Electrical Sockets
• Poor Housekeeping and Grounds keeping

You should check your smoke detectors once a month to make sure that both the battery life and the detector itself are working. Most detectors come with buttons you can press to test the unit. If the battery is flat, make sure to replace it as soon as possible and don’t hesitate to replace a faulty unit.

As for electrical sockets, they teach you this kind of thing as early as elementary school – don’t overload the outlet. If you have more than one appliance to an outlet, look for ways to evenly distribute the power like a power strip or surge protector. And if you notice any wires plugged into an outlet that are hot, unplug them immediately.

And as far as the yard and the house are concerned, you are going to want to make sure you store and consolidate combustibles in a safe location. Things like old newspapers and gasoline cans for the lawnmower should be stored somewhere safe and, preferably, away from the home. If you have brush or debris in your yard, you should take care to clean that up. Dead leaves, branches, twigs, pine needles – all it takes is one careless driver passing through to toss a cigarette butt out the window and set it all on fire.

Improving Home Security

As for home security, there are lots of things you can improve on here. If your front door is made of some old wood and paneling, you might want to look into a slab door. A lot of home intrusions, believe it or not, happen through the front door and slabs are a whole lot harder to break through.

Another thing that can make the home safer is some exterior lighting. They sell lots of these at most of the major hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. Some even come with motion detectors that can shine a light on any trespasser be it man or beast. And if you’re serious about home security, there are plenty of sites and services that can answer any questions you might have about a security system. In addition to the obvious benefits that these systems provide, some of them can also improve the value of your home and there are plenty of sites out there that talk about this home security value.

Just remember that home improvement entails more than just the physical change of your property. When you work to improve a home, you are working to improve the quality of living and that should include safety and security.

Granite table tops are just beautiful to look at wherever they’re placed. In varying colors, patterns and sparkle, granite gives out a natural appeal that’s simply elegant and classy. It’s easy to enhance the look of an old room by adding a granite table top. You also get a durable piece of furniture that can be passed on from one generation to the next.

Reasons Why You Should Choose a Granite Table Top

•  They’re absolutely strong and durable. Granite is a type of natural stone that can stay for centuries with minimal maintenance. A table made of granite is able to withstand extreme heat from very hot pots and also won’t break or easily get scratched.

•   Natural beauty is also another advantage of a granite table top. The look of granite suits both classic and contemporary style homes. It will look great for your kitchen island most especially when fabulous island lighting is installed.

•   Granite surfaces are also easy to maintain. Wiping the table clean everyday is all you need to do for daily maintenance. Granite won’t easily catch stains and dust when the table top is coated with sealant.

Decorating Ideas with a Granite Table

Use a granite table top and enjoy its natural style and ease of maintenance. Let it serve as your formal dining room table and bring in aesthetic value into the room. You can choose from different colors. Black looks fantastic with white chairs while rose colored versions will look awesome with wooden chairs.

Decorate your patio with a granite table. The table can serve as a gaming area when you’re playing a game of chess or cards with your buddies. It can also be an area for serving food and drinks for guests. Add a nice plant on top of the table to make granite look friendlier and warmer. A bonsai plant for instance is great in integrating an Asian inspired theme for your veranda.

Use granite for your coffee table in the living room. Add beautiful candle displays on top of the table, as well as a nice floral arrangement. Complement the table with a cushioned couch with throw pillows. As a natural stone, granite has a tendency to bring about a cold feel; thus, adding soft and graceful details creates balance and texture for the home.

Granite Table Top – It’s Definitely worth Having

Furniture that’s long lasting definitely brings a lot of joy. It is great to see a lovely looking table when you wake up in the morning and then when you come home from work later in the day. Granite table tops give less of a hassle while being visually interesting on their own. These tables bring so many benefits that make them definitely worth having.

“To have and to hold from this day forward” are famous lines from a traditional wedding vow. If you are bound for an altar date pretty soon, early preparation is necessary. If the date and venue has already been set, make sure you have the wedding invitation kits ready so everything will run smoothly on your wedding day. Wedding invitations contain an important announcement of a couple’s union and information as to when and where the wedding will take place, where the reception will be held and dress code required. Having the details printed clearly minimizes confusion among your guests and gives them more time to prepare for your big day.

Preparing the Wedding Invitation Kits

A wedding invitation kit comprises the invitation card and envelope, reply card and envelope, reception card, direction card, tag, ribbons, printing templates, sample sheets and adhesive. The invitation usually appears blank with just the design on the border for you to fill in the prints at the center according to your preference. This do-it-yourself project allows the couple to provide the right design at a minimum cost. They can choose from a wide range of styles and colors of invitation cards and have them printed professionally or print it themselves to save cost. They can likewise add their initials embossed on the invitation and envelope for a personal touch. Learn how to do the embossing print by visiting www.custom-embosser.com.

Do-It-Yourself Wedding Invitation Kits

Preparations for the wedding day are both exciting and stressful for most brides to be. As the big day gets nearer, preparations for the gown, bridal cake, giveaways, flowers and decorations should have been set. The wedding invitation must be prepared in advance so you have more time to customize the design according to your preference. If you want to make your own invitation, the best way to save time and get better results is by using the do-it-yourself wedding invitation kits. These kits include all the materials needed to create your invites at a cost that comes reasonably priced. After you have purchased the invitation kit, follow these simple steps to get started:

•  Download one of the available templates to layout the prints and design of your invites so you get them just right. Extra blank sheets are provided so you can test the prints before the final produce.
•  Choose the font on the computer and play around with several font sizes to test how the prints will look on the actual invitation card.
•  Select the final template printing from all test prints you have conducted.
•  Make sure you have read the text carefully and got all the details correct.
•  Once a choice is made, the final text should be printed on the actual invitation card.

Now that the wedding invitations are ready to be sent out to guests, you can now relax knowing that everything is all set for your big day. The wedding invitations will mark the greatest moment of your life.

Tired of seeing the grout lines of your tiles dull and faded? If you are, then a coat of grout stain may just be what you need to bring back the look and shine of your grout lines. Grout stains are also known as grout colorants and sealants. They come in different forms and colors and can be bought in cans, pens and bottles with top nozzles. What’s great about them is that they can handle most of the problems that you may have encountered with your existing grout. Cracked, discolored, dirty and ugly looking grout can be enhanced by covering them with the right kind of grout colorant. Even grout that doesn’t match the color of your tiles can be coated with the right shade of grout sealant. If you feel like you need change and cleanliness for your tiled floors, countertops and backsplashes, then grout stains are just awesome at what they do, and that is, to provide cleaner and more attractive tiled areas.

Grout Stains for Epoxy Grout

Epoxy grout is known for its durability and impervious qualities. When this type of grout is already in place, it may be very difficult to remove since it is highly resistant to damage. If you feel that the epoxy grout you picked is out of place in terms of color, you can remedy the situation by adding grout colorant that matches the exact shade of your tiles. This not only creates style but you also make your epoxy grout even more long lasting. Check out www.epoxygrouthq.com for a more detailed outline about epoxy grout and its benefits.

Grout Stains are Suitable for Different Types of Tiles

Whether you have the most expensive tiles on the market or got yourself tiles for less, grout stains can serve well for different types of tiles. There are grout stains that are specifically made for ceramic tiles but there are also those that suit porcelain and natural stone tiles. Grout stains can also be used when you have Saltillo tiles installed. Saltillo tiles are extremely porous and may require occasional resealing. For ease and convenience on your part, you can apply the grout stains together with your Saltillo tile sealant. This lets you do the resealing and grout coloring in one process rather than doing it separately. www.saltillotile.org is a great website to visit for more information on Saltillo tiles.

Another type of tile that you can use grout stains with is the quarry tile. Known for its durability and impervious qualities, quarry tiles are just great for both homes and commercial establishments. They’re not only durable but they’re also very inexpensive. You essentially get durability at an affordable price. Who doesn’t want that right? Together with a good quarry tile sealer and grout colorant, quarry tile flooring becomes even more impervious. Now, that’s definitely real value for money.

For more information about tiles, most particularly tiles for less, read the article found on Tiles For Less HQ. This should give you more insight about tiles and the importance of grout in their overall functionality.

When Should You Apply Grout Stains

Grout stains are needed when you have the following:

•  Discolored grout
•  Grout with hard to remove stains
•  Cracked grout
•  Grout that doesn’t match the tile color

Enhance the look of your grout today with easy to use grout stains. You essentially bring back its original appearance or enhance it further by choosing a better color. A grout stain is just great for grout that needs rework and an improved look.

The sparkling colors of led rope light often remind us of the Christmas season. It is widely used as holiday decorations to highlight the occasion. It also functions to add colorful lights in your backyard, to outline the side of a building or to create an artistic display outdoors. Its common uses indoors include illuminating the edges of tray ceilings, outlining the sides of counters and stairs. It is a very popular lighting option for residential and commercial purposes worldwide. The main reason for its popularity can be attributed to the fact that led rope light is very versatile. You can shape and cut it to fit any area and splice it with other pieces to create a longer version. You can also slice it if you want a color combination that matches your decor.

What is a Led Rope Light?

Led rope light is a type of ornamental lighting that uses small light emitting diode or LED bulbs, stringed together in a wire and encased in a plastic tube to produce light strings. The number of wires utilized depends on the expected outcome. Two wires are normally used to make the bulbs flash or dim. Using three wires offer more functionality including flashing, dimming and chasing light features. The LED bulbs appear in different colors created by the bulb itself. When you switch on the rope light, the colors will show brightly, but once you switch it off, it comes out colorless. This is considered a great advantage by many because it remains less noticeable when not in use.

Advantages of Led Rope Lights

1.  Led rope lights are available in several varieties and colors like red, blue, green, yellow and many other attractive shades.
2.  Compared to fluorescent lights, led bulbs are durable and can last more than ten years without needing any replacement.
3.  Led rope lights have less power consumption than ordinary bulb which makes them more efficient for use at home and for commercial purposes.
4.  These bulbs emit lesser amount of heat when lit than with an ordinary bulb.
5.  Led rope light promotes the green advantage because it does not produce any harmful elements that can affect the environment.
6.  These string lights are strong and do not break easily unlike incandescent bulbs.

Led Rope Light Shining Through

Led rope lights are used in various places like parking lots, supermarkets, streets, industries and many others. These lights are easy to install and only takes seconds to light up once it is switched on. Repeatedly switching the light on and off does not affect the quality and durability of the bulb. The lights work well in all types of weather to bring beauty and functionality for both indoor and outdoor use.. It is the perfect solution if you want to add some special effects or colorful attraction to your home or business.

Wood plaques are special ornaments that commemorate a certain event in your life or display the achievement you have done to the community. Such plaques are often custom made to get exactly what you want for a wide array of occasions like weddings, anniversaries, graduation, employment recognitions and memorials among others. Most of the wooden plaques are hung on walls to spruce up the office, living room and other rooms in your home. The natural ambiance of wood gives the wooden name plaque an edge over other materials used such stone, marble and synthetic plastic. Discover more excellent supplies and go to waterproofflooringhq.com for details.

Wooden plaques are made from high quality wood like oak, maple and cherry. The wood is carefully carved, treated and finished with a durable varnish to make them long lasting. The plaques are usually engraved with personalized inscriptions or meaningful quotes that give a sense of distinction to one’s personal space. They are often used for company events where employees are presented with awards of recognition. These plaques could come in any form and may appear in shapes of square, rectangle and oval as being the most common.

What to Look for in a Wood Plaque

Picking out the best wood plaque can be a daunting task as there are many types of wood selections in various shades to choose from that could match your personal style. To help you end up with the right item, here are few simple steps you need to follow:

•  An important factor in your choice of plaque is the way the wood is engraved. The engraving style should be suited to the setting of the place you will hang this decor. If the plaque will serve as a home decoration, a laid back word styling maybe used but for awarding purposes, you can go for a more fancy version.
•  The type of wood you select depends on the color of stain used. If you don’t want to spend much on expensive hardwoods, you can opt for cheaper wood plaques in pine which is less durable and has much lighter natural shade. You can just add a bit of touch by using an oak colored stain to make it more versatile and appealing.
•  Once you have chosen the right wood and color stain you want, you can start choosing the appropriate font and design to carve the name and message into the plaque.
•  Just think about what you are going to match the plaques to and what you personally want for a certain space.

Customizing Your Own Wooden Plaques

Custom wood plaques are fantastic gifts suited for wide variety of occasions. The ability to customize the design and words on the plaque adds a personal touch that makes your gift stand out from the rest. The aesthetic appeal of the plaque displays your good taste to impress the receiver. The recipient likewise will be proud to show off his achievements in front of the other guests. Wooden name plaques also cost less and are, therefore, perfect gifts that anyone will surely treasure.