All Digital Contents

Category: Uncategorized

KnownHost Review
What Is KnownHost?

KnownHost is a web hosting provider that offers a range of hosting services for websites and applications. Founded in 2005, KnownHost offers shared, VPS (Virtual Private Server), and dedicated hosting plans for users who want reliable and secure hosting for their websites and applications.

KnownHost is known for its high performance, fast servers, and exceptional customer support. They offer a range of hosting plans to suit different needs and budgets, and are particularly popular among users who need reliable and secure hosting for their mission-critical websites and applications.

How Does KnownHost Work?

KnownHost works by providing web hosting services that allow users to store their website files and data on KnownHost’s servers. Here’s a general overview of how KnownHost works:
1. Choose a hosting plan: KnownHost offers a range of hosting plans to suit different needs and budgets, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting plans. Users can choose the plan that best suits their needs and sign up for a hosting account.
2. Set up your hosting account: Once you’ve signed up for a hosting account, KnownHost will provide you with login details for your account. You can use these details to log in to your hosting control panel and set up your website.
3. Install and configure your website: Depending on the hosting plan you’ve chosen, you may need to install a website builder or CMS (content management system) like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal. You can do this from within your hosting control panel.
4. Upload your website files: Once you’ve installed your website builder or CMS, you can upload your website files to your hosting account. You can do this using an FTP client or through your hosting control panel.
5. Customize your website: With your website files uploaded, you can customize your website’s design, layout, and functionality to match your needs and preferences. Depending on the website builder or CMS you’re using, you may have access to a range of customization options.
6. Test and launch your website: Once you’re happy with your website’s design and functionality, you can test it for performance and functionality. Once everything is working as expected, you can launch your website and start promoting it to your audience.
Overall, KnownHost works by providing reliable and secure hosting services that allow users to store their website files and data on KnownHost’s servers. With a range of hosting plans and exceptional customer support, KnownHost can provide a solid foundation for your website or application.

KnownHost Features

KnownHost offers a range of features that make it a popular choice for web hosting. Here are some of the key features of KnownHost:
1. Reliability: KnownHost offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, which means that your website or application will be available and accessible to your users almost all of the time.
2. Security: KnownHost offers a range of security features, including DDoS protection, daily backups, and 24/7 server monitoring. They also provide free SSL certificates with all hosting plans to help secure your website and protect user data.
3. Speed: KnownHost uses high-performance servers and solid-state drives (SSDs) to deliver fast load times and responsive websites.
4. Scalability: KnownHost’s VPS and dedicated hosting plans offer scalability and flexibility, allowing users to easily upgrade or downgrade their hosting resources as their needs change.
5. Customer support: KnownHost provides exceptional customer support, with 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and email. Their support team is knowledgeable and responsive, and can help with a range of issues and questions.
6. Control panel: KnownHost provides cPanel or DirectAdmin control panels, depending on the hosting plan, which make it easy to manage your website files, databases, email accounts, and more.
Overall, KnownHost offers a range of features that make it a reliable and secure web hosting provider. With fast servers, solid-state drives, and a range of security features, KnownHost can provide a solid foundation for your website or application. Additionally, their exceptional customer support and scalability make them a popular choice for users who need reliable and flexible hosting solutions.

KnownHost Web Hosting Services

KnownHost offers a range of web hosting services to suit different needs and budgets. Here’s an overview of their hosting services:
1. Shared hosting: KnownHost’s shared hosting plans are designed for users who need affordable and easy-to-use hosting for their websites. Shared hosting plans come with cPanel, Softaculous one-click installer, and unlimited bandwidth.
2. VPS hosting: KnownHost’s VPS hosting plans are designed for users who need more control and flexibility over their hosting resources. VPS plans come with a choice of control panels (cPanel or DirectAdmin), root access, and a range of customizable options.
3. Managed VPS hosting: KnownHost’s managed VPS hosting plans are designed for users who need a fully managed hosting solution that includes server management, security, and support. Managed VPS plans come with cPanel or DirectAdmin control panel, daily backups, and proactive security measures.
4. Dedicated hosting: KnownHost’s dedicated hosting plans are designed for users who need maximum control and customization over their hosting resources. Dedicated plans come with a range of customizable options, including server hardware, storage, and bandwidth.
5. Managed WordPress hosting: KnownHost’s managed WordPress hosting plans are designed for users who need a fast and secure hosting solution for their WordPress websites. Managed WordPress plans come with pre-installed WordPress, automatic updates, and advanced security features.
Overall, KnownHost offers a range of web hosting services that can suit different needs and budgets. Whether you’re a small business owner, a blogger, or an enterprise-level user, there is a hosting plan that can meet your needs and provide a solid foundation for your website or application.

Why Use KnownHost?

There are several reasons why you might want to consider using KnownHost for your web hosting needs:
1. Reliability: KnownHost offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee, which means that your website or application will be available and accessible to your users almost all of the time. This level of reliability can help to minimize downtime and ensure that your website is always up and running.
2. Security: KnownHost provides a range of security features, including DDoS protection, daily backups, and 24/7 server monitoring. They also provide free SSL certificates with all hosting plans to help secure your website and protect user data. This level of security can help to protect your website from cyber threats and keep your users’ data safe.
3. Speed: KnownHost uses high-performance servers and solid-state drives (SSDs) to deliver fast load times and responsive websites. This can help to improve user experience and keep your visitors engaged with your website.
4. Customer support: KnownHost provides exceptional customer support, with 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and email. Their support team is knowledgeable and responsive, and can help with a range of issues and questions. This level of support can help to minimize downtime and resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
5. Customization: KnownHost offers a range of hosting plans that can be customized to suit your specific needs and preferences. Whether you need shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, or managed WordPress hosting, there is a plan that can meet your needs and provide a solid foundation for your website or application.
Overall, KnownHost is a reliable and secure web hosting provider that offers fast servers, exceptional customer support, and a range of hosting plans to suit different needs and budgets. If you’re looking for a hosting provider that can provide a solid foundation for your website or application, KnownHost is definitely worth considering.

KnownHost Packages

KnownHost offers a range of hosting packages to suit different needs and budgets. Here’s an overview of their packages:
1. Shared hosting: KnownHost offers three shared hosting plans: Basic, Standard, and Professional. Prices start at $3.47 per month for the Basic plan, which includes one domain, unlimited bandwidth, and 5 GB of storage. The Standard plan starts at $6.47 per month and includes unlimited domains, unlimited bandwidth, and 25 GB of storage. The Professional plan starts at $9.97 per month and includes unlimited domains, unlimited bandwidth, and 50 GB of storage.
2. VPS hosting: KnownHost offers six VPS hosting plans: Entry, Basic, Standard, Professional, Premium, and Enterprise. Prices start at $28 per month for the Entry plan, which includes 1 GB of RAM, 25 GB of storage, and 2 TB of bandwidth. The Basic plan starts at $40 per month and includes 2 GB of RAM, 50 GB of storage, and 2.5 TB of bandwidth. The Standard plan starts at $60 per month and includes 4 GB of RAM, 100 GB of storage, and 3 TB of bandwidth. The Professional plan starts at $80 per month and includes 8 GB of RAM, 150 GB of storage, and 4 TB of bandwidth. The Premium plan starts at $120 per month and includes 12 GB of RAM, 200 GB of storage, and 5 TB of bandwidth. The Enterprise plan starts at $180 per month and includes 16 GB of RAM, 300 GB of storage, and 6 TB of bandwidth.
3. Dedicated hosting: KnownHost offers four dedicated hosting plans: Entry, Basic, Standard, and Professional. Prices start at $159 per month for the Entry plan, which includes an Intel Xeon E3-1230v2 processor, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD storage, and 5 TB of bandwidth. The Basic plan starts at $229 per month and includes an Intel Xeon E3-1270v2 processor, 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB SSD storage, and 8 TB of bandwidth. The Standard plan starts at $349 per month and includes an Intel Xeon E5-1620v2 processor, 32 GB of RAM, 1 TB SSD storage, and 10 TB of bandwidth. The Professional plan starts at $479 per month and includes an Intel Xeon E5-2620v2 processor, 64 GB of RAM, 1 TB SSD storage, and 15 TB of bandwidth.
4. Managed WordPress hosting: KnownHost offers three managed WordPress hosting plans: WP Starter, WP Standard, and WP Professional. Prices start at $5.97 per month for the WP Starter plan, which includes one domain, 25 GB of storage, and unlimited bandwidth. The WP Standard plan starts at $9.97 per month and includes five domains, 50 GB of storage, and unlimited bandwidth. The WP Professional plan starts at $18.97 per month and includes 10 domains, 100 GB of storage, and unlimited bandwidth.
Overall, KnownHost offers a range of hosting packages to suit different needs and budgets. Whether you’re a small business owner, a blogger, or an enterprise-level user, there is a hosting package that can meet your needs and provide a solid foundation for your website or application.

KnownHost Pricing

KnownHost offers a range of hosting plans at different price points to suit different needs and budgets. Here’s an overview of their pricing:
1. Shared hosting: KnownHost’s shared hosting plans start at $3.47 per month for the Basic plan, $6.47 per month for the Standard plan, and $9.97 per month for the Professional plan.
2. VPS hosting: KnownHost’s VPS hosting plans start at $28 per month for the Entry plan, $40 per month for the Basic plan, $60 per month for the Standard plan, $80 per month for the Professional plan, $120 per month for the Premium plan, and $180 per month for the Enterprise plan.
3. Dedicated hosting: KnownHost’s dedicated hosting plans start at $159 per month for the Entry plan, $229 per month for the Basic plan, $349 per month for the Standard plan, and $479 per month for the Professional plan.
4. Managed WordPress hosting: KnownHost’s managed WordPress hosting plans start at $5.97 per month for the WP Starter plan, $9.97 per month for the WP Standard plan, and $18.97 per month for the WP Professional plan.
Overall, KnownHost’s pricing is competitive with other web hosting providers, particularly considering their high level of reliability, security, and customer support. Additionally, their hosting plans are customizable and scalable, allowing users to choose the level of resources that best meets their needs and budget.

FAQs

What payment methods does KnownHost accept?

KnownHost accepts payment via credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover), PayPal, and Bitcoin.

Does KnownHost offer a money-back guarantee?

Yes, KnownHost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all hosting plans except for dedicated hosting plans.

Does KnownHost provide domain registration services?

No, KnownHost does not provide domain registration services. However, you can register a domain through a third-party registrar and use it with your KnownHost hosting account.

Does KnownHost offer migration services?

Yes, KnownHost offers free migration services for new customers who are transferring their website from another hosting provider.

What level of customer support does KnownHost provide?

KnownHost provides exceptional customer support, with 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and email. Their support team is knowledgeable and responsive, and can help with a range of issues and questions.

Is KnownHost suitable for beginners?

Yes, KnownHost is suitable for beginners, particularly for their shared hosting and managed WordPress hosting plans. These plans are easy to set up and use, and come with a range of tools and features to help beginners build and manage their websites.

Does KnownHost offer a control panel?

Yes, KnownHost offers cPanel or DirectAdmin control panels, depending on the hosting plan. These control panels make it easy to manage your website files, databases, email accounts, and more.
March 30, 2023
GoTo Meeting Review : Online Meeting Software
Who is GoToMeeting for?

GoToMeeting is suitable for any business or individual that regularly hosts audio or video meetings, training sessions, presentations, and conference calls. It’s especially convenient for those who remotely manage staff, regularly work from home, or work with a global workforce.

Its pricing tiers are attractive for small to midsize organizations, and it includes many attractive features for the price you pay. They also offer an enterprise version, with custom prices and feature packages.

However, It doesn’t offer a free version, which might be off-putting to smaller businesses or sole proprietors looking for an inexpensive video conferencing solution.

GoToMeeting features

GoToMeeting includes a ton of useful and well thought out features that help small, medium, and enterprise level businesses connect with coworkers, customers, and prospects.

Audio and video conferencing

All GoToMeeting plans come with an unlimited number of audio conferencing calls, and offers the option of toll-free numbers for over 50 countries, eliminating long-distance fees for participants.

GoToMeeting also provides HD video conferencing, and supports up to 25 participant videos on screen, which is handy for project planning or all hands/town hall sessions. The clever thing about GoToMeeting’s video conferencing feature is that it adjusts to each participant’s available bandwidth.

With a Business or Enterprise plan, users can record and store an unlimited amount of meetings and automatically transcribe recorded meetings (English only).

You also get personal meeting rooms and dial-out functionality, which means that instead of sending out invite links, users can add up to five participants to a meeting by calling them through GoToMeeting.

Screen sharing

GoToMeeting’s screen share feature lets you present real-time documents, presentations, and more. Meeting participants don’t need to download the app to access the screen sharing capability because it functions within a Chrome web browser.

Participants can plan and collaborate easily. The feature even offers presenter switching, so that users can pass control, and multiple people can share their screens if necessary. Users can share their entire monitor or just an individual app, page, or document.

Meeting transcriptions

GoToMeeting automatically transcribes recorded meetings with its Smart Assistant. This provides on-screen text for individuals who watch the meeting once it’s over and allows them to search for keywords.

This is a great feature for those who only need to watch a part of the meeting (which you can identify by timestamp) and provides users with more accessibility.

Commuter mode

This feature helps users who attend conference calls while commuting. Enable commuter mode and adjust the app to streamline and simplify the interface — your screen will turn into a color-coded audio/mute button. Disable screen and video sharing, and you can save up to 90% on your mobile data consumption.

Drawings and annotations

GoToMeeting offers drawing and annotation, but that’s not its strongest feature. Users can annotate in different colors, using a thin pen line.

Besides that, you can only use a laser pointer and highlighter, and instead of being able to erase a small area, you have to erase all annotations. GoToMeeting also makes it easy for participants to co-annotate.

GoToMeeting ease of use

GoToMeeting’s interface isn’t as clean and modern as other video conferencing solutions, but it is simple and straightforward to use. Hosting a GoToMeeting web-based conference is easy, and because it’s web-based, users don’t need to download any software — though there is a desktop and mobile app available.

Meetings are easy and fast to access with unique meeting links. Meetings open automatically in any web browser when you enter the meeting ID.

The software is available in several languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Italian, and German. This multilingual aspect appeals to organizations who work with remote employees or contractors from other countries. Select a language, and the interface updates instantly.

GoToMeeting pricing

GoToMeeting offers three pricing tiers, but no free version. Plans and pricing are based on the number of meeting participants each tier supports.

Each plan offers a well-rounded feature set, which includes:
- HD video
- Screen sharing
- Web audio
- Phone dial in
- Unlimited number of meetings
- No meeting time limits
- Business messaging
- Personal meeting room
- Meeting room lock
GoToMeeting’s Professional plan costs $14/month per organizer, or $12/month per organizer billed annually. The plan supports up to 150 meeting participants. GoToMeeting’s Business plan costs $19/per month per organizer, or $16/month billed annually. The Business plan supports up to 250 meeting participants.

Enterprise GoToMeeting pricing plans are custom made for larger businesses, and organizations must call their sales team for a quote. GoToMeeting supports a maximum of 3,000 meeting participants with any enterprise plan.

GoToMeeting support

GoToMeeting offers phone support, but it’s difficult to find on the customer support page. You have to first type in a question or query in a search box, which brings up a variety of potential solutions, links, and videos.

At the bottom of this information, you’ll find two links: Ask our community, which takes you to GoToMeeting’s user forums, and Call support.

Click Call support, and you’re prompted to enter your email address so support representatives can have your information on hand before answering your call. You have the option to skip this step, which will bring up two support numbers for your region — a toll free and a long distance option.

That’s a lot of hoops to jump through to access phone support, which is a frustrating user experience. However, phone support is accessible 24/7, with local numbers for all countries the solution operates in. There’s also an in-depth knowledge base, FAQ, user forum, and other step-by-step guides.

Benefits of GoToMeeting

GoToMeeting is easy to use and offers a commendable user experience on top of an impressive laundry list of features. Prices are reasonable, and each plan’s standard list of features is well thought out and generous.

Its multi-national toll-free numbers are a pull for users working with a global workforce, and each meeting requires a meeting ID upon entry, making it a safe and secure solution for businesses. If you want to attract top talent, you need high caliber tools like this to support them.

A solid video conferencing tool with lots to offer users

GoToMeeting is a simple and effective solution if you need an audio or video conferencing tool that offers more than the bare minimum. While its features are not as granular as some of its competitors, it packs a serious punch with unique features such as its commuter mode.

Even better, the solution offers affordable plans for small, medium, and enterprise organizations. Its unlimited number of meetings with no meeting time limits is a huge plus.

FAQs

Is there a free version of GoToMeeting?

GoToMeeting offers no free plan, but it offers a 14-day free trial.

What other apps integrate with GoToMeeting?

It integrates with Salesforce, Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, HipChat, and Slack.

How much does GoToMeeting cost?

GoToMeeting’s Professional plan costs $14/month per organizer, or $12 billed annually.

GoToMeeting’s Business plan costs $19/month per organizer, or $16/month per organizer billed annually.

Enterprise GoToMeeting pricing plans are custom made for larger businesses, and you need to call their sales team for a quote.
December 29, 2022
Canada Goose Jackets Review
About Canada Goose

Canada Goose is a Canadian outerwear company that is known for their high-quality, down-filled coats. The brand carries premium high-performance outerwear for men, women, and children. Their line includes parkas, waterproof jackets, vests, toques, and other outerwear accessories, designed for function, style, and practicality.

In 2004, Canada Goose made its film debut in The Day After Tomorrow and National Treasure. The well-known brand has almost 700k followers on Facebook and Instagram.

This Canada Goose jackets review will take an in-depth look at the brand, best selling products, customer opinions, plus more, to help you decide if Canada Goose is the right fit for you.

Overview of Canada Goose

Canada Goose is a brand with over 60 years of history, first starting in a Toronto-based warehouse under the name Metro Sportswear Ltd. As generations passed, the brand evolved by incorporating fresh ideas and true Canadian spirit.

It all started when Sam Tick immigrated to Canada and began Metro Sportswear Ltd., selling wool vests, raincoats, and snowmobile suits. His son-in-law, David Reiss, changed the brand’s name to Snow Goose, after introducing a volume-based, down-filling machine to their outerwear manufacturing process.

In 1980, the brand created the Expedition Parka, aka Big Red, for scientists working at Antarctica’s McMurdo station. Jump to the year 2000 when Canada Goose partnered with Lance Mackey, who won the Iditarod and The Yukon Quest dog sled races four times each, all while sporting the infamous Canada Goose parka.

The brand has since partnered with Polar Bears International to support the conservation of polar bear habitats. They offer a transparent approach with providing customers detailed information on the steps they are taking to help combat global warming and other major eco-issues.

Their goals for sustainability include reducing greenhouse gas emissions and refining their sourcing practices to use more responsible raw materials. Canada Goose also recently pledged to only use recycled fur materials beginning in 2022. All details of their goals and initiatives are provided on their website so that the company can be held accountable for their promises.

In 2016, the brand opened two flagship stores in the vibrant and bustling cities of Toronto and New York City. Canada Goose headquarters are located in Toronto.

This Canada Goose jackets review will now highlight some important pros and cons of the brand.

Pros
- Sustainability Pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and use more responsible raw materials
- Made in North America
- An extensive selection of parkas, and jackets for a range of temperatures and seasons
- Parkas have smart, functional features like thumb holes, and backpack straps
- Thoughtfully designed elements like chin guard and cinch waist, to keep you warm
- Developed and designed to keep you warm in extreme temperatures while looking stylish
- Partnered with Polar Bears International to support the conservation of polar bear habitats
- Flexible pay-by-installment option with Klarna
Cons
- Premium prices compared to other outerwear brands
Canada Goose creates outerwear for all seasons, from parkas designed to withstand conditions in the Arctic, to hiking jackets, knitwear and fleece, hats, gloves, and more. While their collection is made for different weather types, their main focus is on extreme-weather wear.

This Canada Goose jackets review will feature some of the company’s bestselling pieces for men and women.

Canada Goose Women Review

From ground-breaking jackets to essential headwear, Canada Goose designs attractive outerwear in classic neutrals and rich colors that provide superior warmth.

The brand designs with a modern take on classic outerwear, combining new-age, smart elements like sleeves with thumb holes, and interior backpack straps, stylish fur ruff, and chin guard.

While their collection is expensive, the jackets can be purchased with installment payments through Klarna. This Canada Goose jackets review showcases some of the most coveted styles for women:

Canada Goose Kenton Parka Black Label Review

Designed for daily wear in cold climates, the Kenton Parka Black Label will help you to explore the world at your own pace, without having to run inside to get warm. This long and stylish piece features duck down that can withstand temperatures down to -20℃.

This parka has a durable, water-resistant outer material containing cotton. If you become too warm in this jacket, you can use the snap-open side vents for ventilation and increased moveability.

The ribbed lining fits snugly under your arms and securely along the sleeves, with thumbholes to create a comfortable and secure fit. The parka has a two-way zipper, with a storm flap underneath to keep the harsh elements away from your warm body.

The Kenton Parka Black Label features a removable fur ruff, attached to a removable and adjustable down-filled hood. On the back of the hood, there is a reflective webbing for visibility in dark conditions. The parka also contains a chin guard lined with tricot fabric to ensure that brisk winds won’t shock you around this vulnerable spot.

The Kenton Parka Black Label has four exterior double stacked, fleece-lined pockets, and three interior pockets. This cozy bestseller is available in 8 trendy colors for $1295.

Canada Goose Rossclair Parka Review

The Rossclair Parka provides a feminine silhouette with its interior waist drawcord. Of course, providing an A-line shape is not all this protective parka does. Cinching at the waist prevents icy drafts from blowing up into your torso, helping you feel secure and confident enough to brave the elements.

The slim fit, midlength parka is made from Canada Goose’s Arctic Tech fabric, which adds durability and warmth. Interior backpack straps allow you to carry your jacket hands-free. Other convenient features include a duck down interior, two-way adjustable down-filled hood with removable fur ruff, and a chin guard.

The recessed rib-knit cuffs add warmth around your wrists, and the jacket has a longer hem in the back for added coverage. The front of the jacket has a placket with a military-style button closure over a two-way zipper. There are two exterior fleece-lined pockets and two interior pockets.

Brave the elements in temperatures of -10 to -20℃ in this minimalist, modish parka for $1095. You can choose between 8 different colors to suit your own taste.

Canada Goose Freestyle Vest Review

This flattering vest is warmer than it looks. The Freestyle Vest is a great piece for fall and winter, providing warmth in temperatures ranging from 5 to -5℃.

This Canada Goose vest is well-insulated with duck down, and the durable cotton exterior can protect wearers from light wind and rain. The vest features a suede tricot-lined collar and a storm flap over the front zipper for extra wind protection.

There are two exterior pockets, and one interior pocket on this trend-setting Freestyle Vest that retails for $500. Try this vest in one of the 11 bold colors, paired with a white long sleeve shirt and black baseball cap or beanie for a casual, coveted look.

Canada Goose Arctic Disc Toque Review

The warm and breathable Arctic Disc Toque comes in 9 different colors to keep your head happy in chilly conditions. The 100% Merino Wool is double-layered, moisture-wicking, thermoregulating, and cozy.

This toque has the iconic Canada Goose logo, so all your friends can see that you’ve got style. You can flip the bottom part for a shorter style, or wear it more like a slouchy beanie.

Pull this laidback piece on as an everyday favorite or for hitting the slopes. The Arctic Disk Toque comes in 9 solid shades for $125.

Canada Goose Men Review

Canada Goose’s classically designed menswear is a must-have for Canadian winters, whether you’re a city-dweller, live in the Prairies, or by the coast. The masculine silhouettes can work in different environments for an urban or country aesthetic.

This Canada Goose jackets review will feature the brand’s most popular menswear, including their parkas, vests, and toques.

Canada Goose Expedition Parka Review

The Expedition Parka was designed for the coldest of temperatures, performance-tested at the South Pole by the National Science Foundation division of Polar Research. Whoa.

From the frozen urban jungle to uncharted ice fields, this duck down–filled jacket can handle nearly everything in the dead of winter. The parka contains a hideaway nylon, elasticized snow skirt for added warmth in temperatures -30℃ and below.

Available in 7 different colors, this men’s parka features a removable fur ruff on an adjustable down-filled hood, recessed ribbed cuffs, and a placket velcro closure on the front, covering a two-way zipper. The Expedition Parka has six exterior pockets, and two interior pockets.

Other notable specs on the Expedition Parka include a webbing grab-strap at the upper back for easy storage and carrying, plus an inner draw-cord at the waist to keep cool breezes out.

This heavy duty, nothing-can-faze-you, not-even-Arctic-temperatures Expedition Parka retails for $1,395.

Canada Goose Black Label Sherridon Parka Review

Despite its slim profile, this jacket packs a down-filled punch. You can take the Sherridon Parka Black Label from windy city walks to treks in 12-inch snow. It’s carefully thought-out design keeps you warm in temperatures of -15 to -25℃.

Clever features like cuff reflective details can be hidden away when not needed. The removable hood is adjustable in two different ways; it forms the brim’s wire shaping, or secure the brim away from your face with snaps.

The elbows on this jacket are reinforced with Cordura fabric, and the articulated sleeves come out around your wrist with thumb holes for more security and movement. This parka has interior backpack straps to slide your arms into, just in case you need to carry your jacket instead.

The Sherridon Parka Black Label is available in six different colors, containing six exterior pockets and three interior pockets, with snap closures on the front over a two-way zipper. This extremely warm and fashionable Canada Goose jacket is $1,295.

Canada Goose Men’s Crofton Down Vest Review

Versatile and lightweight, the Men’s Crofton Down Vest is seriously popular for a reason. It’s designed to withstand high winds, light rain, and snow, even though it’s completely packable and rolls up into its own interior front pocket.

Perfect for travel and withstanding temperatures of 5 to -5℃, this slim fit, hip-length vest features an ultra-light, down-filled channel for warmth. A down-filled collar with a chin guard pairs with a storm flap underneath the two-way front zipper for extra protection from the elements.

Available in navy or black, the Crofton Down Vest has a 100% recycled nylon outer, so you can feel good while looking good. It has a stylish sheen that we’re really into as well. The vest has two exterior pockets and one interior pocket. Get this packable Canada Goose Vest for $495.

Canada Goose Large Disc Thermal Toque Review

The Disc Thermal Toque can be worn on the coldest of days during outdoor activities, like boarding or walking the dog. It has a comfy, laidback look, with an attractive fit. The toque is made from triple-layer Merino Wool for high quality and performance. It’s

This versatile toque is thermoregulating, moisture-wicking, odor suppressing, and provides UV protection. Thermal pockets retain heat and are made from a blend of wool, nylon, and elastane.

This fresh and functional toque is available in black, iron grey, white, and navy. Although it’s made in Italy, the Large Disc Thermal Toque is all Canadian vibes, priced at $250.

Canada Goose Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

Positive customer reviews cite the jackets’ high-level protection, helpful customer service, and quick shipping. You’ll find more details and customer quotes below in the Canada Goose jackets reviews.

On the Canada Goose website, many customers praise the jackets’ superior warmth. I wore this jacket in a severe ice storm…I was so impressed how fast it dried. I’ve never been cold in this jacket,” noted one satisfied buyer. Another customer notes that Canada Goose jackets are necessary for those who live in “lower Canadian cities.”

Take a look at how the jackets featured in this Canada Goose review perform on the website:
- Rossclair Parka: 4.4/5 stars among 439 reviews
- Kenton Parka: 4.5/5 stars out of 90 reviews
- Sherridon Parka: 4.5/5 stars out of 41 reviews
- Expedition Parka: 4.5/5 stars from 154 reviews
Positive reviews are echoed on TrustPilot, like this one: “we bought a new jacket each for the winter, both arrived slick on time…Very warm…No issues at all…Jackets are expensive, but that’s the price you pay for brands like this.”

Several reviews across sites defend the price of their jackets and make very good points about their value. One customer posted on the Canada Goose Reddit thread: “Is that price really that extreme for something you’ll wear every day for four months of the year? People spend way more than that on macbooks, ipads…”

Is Canada Goose Worth It?

Canada Goose jackets stir up quite a bit of controversy on the internet. There are those who believe they can buy quality jackets for a fraction of the price, and then there are those who are extremely loyal and would not choose another brand.

For people who work outside or spend a lot of time outdoors, Canada Goose jackets are an important aspect of what makes customers be able to do what they do.

We love their involvement in polar bear habitat conservation and the fact that their ultra-warm jackets are performance-tested in the South Pole. All though they still use fur from trappers, Canada Goose is planning a 2022 phase-out for recycled alternatives.

The brand is highly popular, even in areas that may not necessarily need Arctic-level protection, yet Canada Goose offers a variety of jackets to suit different temperatures. They are designed with function, style, and practicality in mind, and it’s up to the customer to choose which one suits their needs.

This leads customers to ask, is Canada Goose worth the money? Being warm is essential to staying alive, and given the majority of reviews are positive, we think this brand is worth the money.

Canada Goose Promotions & Discounts

There are currently no Canada Goose promotions listed on their website. If you would like to stay informed about an upcoming Canada Goose sale, subscribe to their newsletter.

You can also visit the Canada Goose Outlet in Toronto for deals on less current jackets.

Where to Buy Canada Goose

Cold weather enthusiasts can purchase their outwear directly from CanadaGoose.com, or from their flagship stores located in Toronto and New York City.

Canada Goose products are also available at Harry Rosen, Sporting Life, Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom, Altitude Sports, and many other retailers across North America.

FAQ

Does Canada Goose kill animals?

Canada Goose jackets provide superior warmth by using goose down and coyote fur. The company currently buys fur from trappers, but they’re phasing this out for recycled fur in 2022.

Can Canada Goose coats get wet?

Canada Goose coats feature a water-repellent finish so they have the ability to withstand wetness from rain and snow.

Does Canada Goose ever go on sale?

You may be able to find certain retailers that offer sales on Canada Goose products. However, inspect the item carefully to ensure you’re buying authentic merchandise.

What size Canada Goose should I purchase?

Most Canada Goose jackets and parkas are designed with a slim fit, though there are others. Consult the size charts below to determine your ideal fit:

How long does Canada Goose take to restock?

Canada Goose stocks their items as quickly as they can on their website. Some customers report it takes approximately 1 week.

Do all Canada Goose jackets come in a box?

All Canada Goose jackets are packaged in a box, so they’re a great option for gifting.

Will Canada Goose replace my coat?

The Canada Goose Warranty states that their products are protected against defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product.

If your coat fails due to a manufacturing defect, the brand will repair it free of charge, or replace it. The warranty does not cover repairs due to negligence, daily wear and tear, and accidents you may have experienced.

How long does Canada Goose take to ship?

The brand offers free standard shipping on every Canada Goose order. If you choose Express Shipping, it’s a flat rate of $20, with Next Day Shipping being $30.

For Standard Shipping, allow 4-6 business days for delivery. For Express, allow 2-3 business days. For Next Day shipping, orders placed before 1pm EST Monday to Thursday will be delivered at the end of the next business day.

To track your order, use your Canada Goose login online and click Track Order. This Canada Goose jackets review notes that all orders require a signature upon delivery when the carrier delivers your Canada Goose shipping box.

If you need to undergo the Canada Goose cancel process for any reason, contact their customer care team at ce@canadagoose .com.

What is Canada Goose’s Return Policy?

The Canada Goose return policy states that to qualify for a return, your items must be unwashed, unworn, with the original tags still attached, and you must start your return within 30 days of purchase.

If you’d like to return your item in-store, you can do so to any store that is in the same country you purchased your item from. For in-store returns, make sure you bring the order confirmation and receipt, along with the original form of payment used to make the purchase.

If you do not have the original form of payment, Canada Goose will issue a gift card. Orders purchased through PayPal cannot be returned in-store. Exchanges can only be done in-store.

If you would like to process an online return, head to the Canada Goose Return Page, enter your order number and email, and follow the instructed steps. If your product meets the return conditions, Canada Goose will send you a complimentary return label.

Follow the instructions on your return label. This Canada Goose jackets review notes that the brand does not accept returns without a Canada Goose return label.

Your return will be processed in 1-2 days, and if it meets the return criteria, you will see your refund credited back to your original form of payment within 5-7 business days.
June 8, 2022
Darn Tough Socks Review
About Darn Tough

Darn Tough is a family owned and operated company that sells durable, weather-performing socks. Three generations and counting, Darn Tough’s founders are experts on all things sock related. Their promise is simple: to provide their customers with socks to last a lifetime. This Darn Tough socks review takes an in-depth look at the brand and its products to help customers make an informed purchase decision.

Overview of Darn Tough

Founded in 2004 by the Cabot family, Darn Tough has spent the past 16 years creating weather-performing socks in Northfield, Vermont. With Vermont’s rainy, snowy, and all around changeable climate, the Cabots are no stranger to the elements socks have to endure. Maybe that’s why they seem to do such a great job creating them.

With a family of avid skiers, snowboarders, hikers, bikers, and runners (whew, I’m tired just thinking that), the Cabots are not afraid to put their product to the real test. Darn Tough socks are worn outside in Vermont’s cold temperatures, designed and manufactured with that in mind. The journey these socks go on guarantees they’re ready for their final destination: you.

Our Darn Tough socks review revealed that the brand only uses merino wool that has been sustainably and ethically sourced. On top of that, they work with the Responsible Wool Standard to protect animal welfare by using sustainable farming practices. Not only is merino wool comfortable, but it also makes for the warmest Darn Tough socks possible.

Although Darn Tough began in 2004, the Cabot family has been in the sock business for over 40 years. Their socks are created in their family-owned mill in Vermont. Why don’t they outsource their business to make it cheaper? It’s simple, really. Darn Tough prides themselves on creating the highest quality socks and to do so, they need to oversee their day-to-day operations.

In this Darn Tough socks review, you’ll find all you need to know (and probably more) about this family-owned company. We’ve condensed all that information down into a few easy points, just in case.

Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- Sustainably sourced materials
- Family owned and operated
- USA made
- Wide variety of colors, styles, lengths
- Free returns and exchanges
- Amazing reviews
- Available online and in stores
Cons
- Higher than average sock prices
If you want to learn more about Darn Tough socks, like how to wash them and where to buy them, keep on reading this Darn Tough socks review.

Socks Designed For Activity

Darn Tough offers customers the ability to browse their sock catalogue based on activity. Whether you’re looking for socks to wear hiking, biking or running, you can find the best darn tough socks for you. For all the categories and socks offered, keep reading this Darn Tough socks review.

Hike/Trek

If you’re lacing up to go on a long hike, you definitely need a pair of socks that you can count on. Darn Tough hiking socks might just be that. Their cushioned sole and performance fit are some of the key features that allow these socks to endure a rigorous trail.

Run

If you’re a runner, then you know how important light-weight socks are. You don’t want to feel weighed down while you’re getting in those 10,000 steps, do you? Darn Tough running socks weigh only 13 grams and are still durable as ever.

Bike

Chances are that while cycling, your socks will be covered by tights or shoe covers. You don’t need anything flashy, which is why Darn Tough keeps it simple. With their ultra-light and moisture-wicking material, these socks will keep you pedalling all day.

Athletic

Darn Tough athletic socks are designed with two things in mind: performance and protection. With a sculpted heel, arch support, and featuring highly breathable mesh paneling, these athletic socks are ready to help you achieve your goal.

Snow

In this case, the name says it all: Darn Tough snow socks will keep your feet warm on even the coldest days. But don’t worry about them being too warm. Their merino wool fabric is breathable and odour repellent. Grab a pair and hit the ski slopes if you want to see for yourself.

Lifestyle

Darn Tough lifestyle socks are ready for your daily routine. Wear them in the car, to the office, then all the way back home. Need to make a pit stop? No problem. These lifestyle socks promise to give you non-stop comfort, all day long.

Hunting

At Darn Tough, they know that weather can be unpredictable. A sunny day can end in rain, and their hunting socks are designed to take you from one condition to the other, easily. High density and ribbed knitting makes these socks the perfect partner for those days spent in the woods.

Work

The people at Darn Tough are no stranger to hard work. And neither are these socks. They’re designed to withstand even the toughest working conditions. Cushioned for ultra comfort, they hold up even under steel-toe boots. Long work day ahead? Meet your new coworkers.

Darn Tough Socks Womens Review

Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Sock

The Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Sock is one of Darn Tough’s bestselling hiker socks for women. With a comfortable fit and durable design, these socks are a buyer favorite. Mid-level cushioning keeps your feet happy on those tougher terrains.

Thick merino wool ensures your feet remain blister free, while keeping them cool, dry, and free of any stinky smells. These socks come in a range of colors. With bright blues and pinks, no one said hiking couldn’t be stylish and exhilarating. The Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Sock sells for $23.

Hunter Over-the-Calf Extra Cushion Sock

The Hunter Over-the-Calf Extra Cushion Sock is, shockingly enough, for hunters. The high length ensures your legs are just as warm as your feet for those extra cold days. Going hunting in the summer? Don’t sweat it. Your feet will stay dry with this breathable, fast-wicking merino wool fabric. Cushioned and antimicrobial, your feet have to thank you for these.

Coming in two colors, charcoal and forest, we can’t be the only ones surprised these aren’t available in camouflage, right? These women’s hiking socks sell for $30.

Garden Crew Light Sock

Not only are these Garden Crew Light Socks cute to look at, but this Darn Tough lifestyle sock is designed to keep you going from day to night. Stylish, comfortable, and completely seamless, these socks appear to be a great fit for those days you want to lounge at home or run a million errands.

The floral design on these Garden Crew socks are both whimsical and fun, coming in a range of colors to fit your everyday wardrobe. Go bold with the plum color pictured above, or more subtle with a medium gray. Wear them as you rediscover your garden in the spring, with a dress, or another casual outfit. These Garden Crew socks are priced at $21.

Darn Tough Socks Mens Review

Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Sock

Darn Tough’s Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Sock is their best selling men’s hiker sock. With their mid-high length, you don’t have to worry about those heavy-duty boots cutting into your legs anymore. Their cushioned sole keeps your feet comfortable during those long days hitting the trails. Antimicrobial and moisture wicking fabric means your feet are dry and odourless in all weather conditions.

Available in seven neutral colors, these socks sell for $23. If you’re a hiker, you may just have to put these “world’s best hiking socks” to the test. This quote doesn’t come from our Darn Tough socks review, it came straight from the founders!

The Standard Crew Light Cushion Sock

From Darn Tough’s lifestyle collection, the Standard Crew Light Cushion Sock is known for its versatility. A light-cushioned sole means maximum comfort for feet, no matter what the day has in store for you.

With a seamless design and fine gauge knitting, throw these on with your favorite loafers or trendy sneakers because they promise to be comfortable all day long. The rest is up to you. The Standard Crew Light Cushion Sock is available in black, charcoal, medium gray and navy for $22.

Vertex No Show Tab Ultra-Light Cushion Sock

The Vertex No Show Tab Ultra-Light Cushion Sock is one of Darn Tough’s many running socks. Runners know that light-weight fabrics are key, and this ultra-light cushion promises to keep you comfortable and running faster than ever.

The no-show cut means they’re invisible beneath your shoes, and moisture-wicking merino wool keeps your feet both cool and warm, whatever the weather demands. Available in four different colors, these no show socks sell for $17. Time to lace on up and give ‘em a try.

Darn Tough Socks Vermont Review

The Darn Tough Vermont collection is an ode to the casual style the people of Vermont wear all day, every day. This collection pays tribute to Vermont’s cold weather and the socks that help them get through it. The Vermont Casual collection features five pairs of women’s lifestyle socks.

Good Witch Crew Light Socks

Named after a witch’s signature striped stockings, Darn Tough’s Good Witch Crew Light lifestyle socks are equal parts cool and comfortable. Don’t let this amusing design fool you, though. Like all of Darn Tough’s socks, these are weather performing, lightweight and have a snug, comfortable fit.

Made from merino wool, these socks are sure to keep your feet warm and dry. Wherever, whenever. The Good Witch Crew Light Sock comes in five fun colors that are sure to add a little flare to your outfit, priced at $21.

Pebbles Crew Light Cushion Socks

Darn Tough women’s Pebbles Crew Light Cushion lifestyle socks feature a whimsical pebble design that takes you right back to the beach. These socks have a thin layer of cushioning on the soles, making them ideal for everyday, casual wear.

The crew length hugs your calf and fits snug enough that you don’t have to worry about your socks falling down to your ankles during the day. Playful and patterned, this design is great for anyone trying to upgrade their sock drawer. The Pebbles Crew Light Socks are available in eclipse, taupe and black for $22.

Are Darn Tough Socks Worth It?

While writing this Darn Tough socks review, I have to admit that I was kind of blown away. And by “kind of” I mean this company knocked my socks off, pun definitely intended. I was amazed by the amount of care that goes into the creation of these socks. From reading through their website, you truly get a good feel for how much this company cares about their socks and customers.

To be fair, I’ve spent the majority of my life wearing cotton socks from Walmart and I’ve never had a single problem. But, if you’re someone that lives a more active lifestyle and finds yourself regularly hiking, running, or any other activity that puts your feet through a lot, then I definitely think Darn Tough socks are for you.

To get at the heart of this Darn Tough socks review, my favorite feature is their colourful patterns and designs. You wouldn’t necessarily think that heavy-duty socks could come in bold, eye-catching colors, yet Darn Tough delivers on that. Their socks are both weather performing and original, which is a win-win for me.

Darn Tough Socks Review: What Do Customers Have to Say?

When it comes to Darn Tough socks, customers have a lot of compliments to give. And by a lot, I mean hundreds upon hundreds of five-star reviews. Verified buyers cannot seem to get enough of these high performance socks.

Their men’s Hiker Micro Crew Cushion socks have nearly 800 reviews with an average of 5/5 stars. Pretty impressive, right? One verified buyer puts it this way in his Darn Tough socks review: “Most comfortable and durable socks I’ve ever owned.”

The women’s Hunter Over-the-Calf Extra Cushion socks are one of their best sellers. With over 200 five-star reviews, one verified buyer writes: “Best socks ever! I was on a Hotshot firefighting crew and wore these socks everyday for 6 months. They lasted me the entire season -which was one of Utah’s busiest fire seasons in recent memory…”

Darn Tough makes the promise that their socks are the world’s greatest and the best you’ll ever own. After reading these reviews, it appears they actually might not be exaggerating.

Darn Tough Promotions & Discounts

When you join the Darn Tough email list, they’ll choose one winner a month to get seven pairs of socks for free. This promotion ends in the month of July after six winners have been chosen.

Darn Tough socks military and first responders discount gives customers 20% off their purchase.

Looking for coupons and clearance in this Darn Tough socks review?
- Darn Tough socks coupon: Currently, Darn Tough does not offer any coupon codes. This is probably because they already provide free shipping for most orders.
- Darn Tough socks clearance: Darn Tough socks don’t appear to go on clearance or have any sales. This is most likely because of their lifetime warranty.
Where to Buy Darn Tough Socks

It seems that Darn Tough socks can be purchased anywhere. Along with their online store, Darn Tough socks can be found on these major online retailers:
- Darn Tough Socks Amazon: Darn Tough socks are sold on Amazon but you need to be careful, there are knock offs being sold, too. The authorized sellers are: Dearborn Supply, Gear Coop, Outdoor Gear Exchange (GearX), Go Bros, Lone Cone, Pike To Peak, Shoe Annex, Sole Provisions, Outdoor Equipped, Zappos, and Marathon Sports.
- REI Darn Tough Socks: Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) sells Darn Tough socks on their online store and their retail stores in the United States.
If you prefer to do your shopping in person, no problem. Darn Tough socks are sold at many stores in both the USA and Canada. They can be purchased at Walmart, Sporting Life, REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and virtually any store that sells footwear and athletic gear.

To find a store near you that isn’t listed in this Darn Tough socks review, their website has a store locator where you can enter your address to find locations nearby.

FAQ

How to Wash Darn Tough Socks

Merino wool is known for being a little bit annoying to wash. Luckily for you, Darn Tough socks washing routine is fairly simple, since they are made from a blend of merino wool and other fabrics. Simply follow these steps listed in this Darn Tough socks review:
1. Turn your socksinside out
2. Machine washin warm water on the gentle cycle
3. Tumblr dry on low heat
Your Darn Tough socks care routine is as easy as that. But, there are two important things to remember: never dry clean your socks and never use bleach.

Darn Tough Socks Sizing

Darn Tough women’s socks are available in sizes small, medium and large. Their men’s socks are available in small, medium, large, extra large and extra-extra large.

Darn Tough provides a sizing chart to help customers find their perfect fit. For your convenience, we’ve included it in this Darn Tough socks review:

Darn Tough Shipping Policy

Darn Tough’s online store only ships to US addresses. Orders ship within one business day or, if placed before 2pm EST on a weekday, the order ships the same day.

For customers that order two or more pairs of socks, shipping is free. For orders of only one pair of socks, shipping costs $6. If you want your order to arrive as fast as possible, Darn Tough offers expedited shipping for an extra cost.

Although Darn Tough does not ship internationally, their socks are sold at retailers that do. If you live outside the USA and want to order a pair, check out these retailers:
- Rei.com
- Lifetimesock.com
- Backcountry.com
- Vermontcountrystore.com
Darn Tough Return Policy

Darn Tough socks return policy offers free 90 day returns or exchanges for all pairs of socks purchased from their online store. If you ordered the wrong size or want a different color, you can ship them back for free and have a new pair sent to your door, also for free.

Darn Tough Socks Warranty

The Darn Tough socks guarantee is that they’ll last you a lifetime. But, on the off chance they don’t, there’s no need to worry. Darn Tough socks lifetime warranty ensures that you can return your socks for a brand new pair, whenever.
June 7, 2022
Dreamstime Review

Our Review:

I have to admit a few years ago (2006) I thought these guys were a bit of a cowboy start-up without much chance of success, wrong was I! Dreamstime was a little later on the scene (2004) than some of the other major microstock sites but has now made up any ground that might have lost them, with more than 49 million images as of Nov 2016.

I now receive a quite good income (but not exceptional I admit), with downloads of most of my photos, including those that have not sold on other sites. Recently sales have dropped off a little, mostly likely due to my somewhat poor acceptance rate at dreamstime, I’m not certain that acceptance rate (the ratio of your upload photos that are accepted compared to those rejected) affects the frequency that your photos appear in the search results of image buyers, but something has led to a drop in my overall sales despite regular new uploads. It might be your acceptance rate over all time or just that of the past few months. The statistics section of the site gives you a view of everything you might need to know. Be careful what you upload to dreamstime.

Royalties

Dreamstime sell basic images at a very reasonable price which I’m sure has contributed to their success. As a bonus to contributors the cost of more popular images increases in tiers as the number of downloads increases.

Royalty rates on dreamstime are tiered according to how popular an image is. Popular images earn 45% royalty reducing down to 20% for less popular ‘Level 0’ images. Despite the change from the previous 50% flat rate this still offers one of the best royalty rates for microstock photographers whose photos sell frequently. Exclusive photos from non-exclusive photographers attract an extra 2-5.5%. Exclusive photographers are always rewarded 60% royalty on sales and $0.20 for each new accepted image.

Dreamstime Tips

Although I personally upload the same title, description and keywords to each microstock site, dreamstime place a high emphasis on the image title in their search engine. More than 25-30 keywords and your image may appear in more searches but will have a lower ‘rank’ (dreamstime secret sauce) and hence not rate as highly. Interestingly dreamstime rank each image individually, the overall upload quality of you as a photographer does not weight an individual image, so one good image can sell well from a batch of many bad ones. I’m not suggesting that you upload more images to dreamstime, although the effect might not be as pronounced I feel you could still make small gains by pruning non sellers from your portfolio – perhaps because your low selling images no longer show up as “more similar stock images”. source (video interview on youtube)

Conclusion

I recommend this site to upload your whole image portfolio to, it should be included in your top five. They offer an excellent royalty rate to volume sellers, multiple language and European sales office base provides additional spread to your image portfolio. Dreamstime does appear to have been struggling over the past couple of years with competition growing and being ovetraken by canstockphoto but they continue to work well for me, just behind Fotoila in my 2015 earnings comparison.

October 3, 2021
Tubebuddy Review: Grow Your YouTube Channel FAST
YouTube is the second biggest search engine worldwide, but it might be one of the hardest platforms to crack in terms of content rankings, so if you’re struggling to work out how to optimize each video you post, it might be time to consider TubeBuddy.

TubeBuddy is a great way to streamline your video uploads, manage your comments, and generate search-optimized content all in one place.

It’s one free extension for YouTube that offers all this in one handy dropdown.

We’re going to run through the free TubeBuddy extension in this guide so you’ll know:
- How TubeBuddy optimizes your YouTube videos
- Essential functions and how it works
- Whether TubeBuddy is worth it
- How much TubeBuddy licenses cost
How TubeBuddy Optimizes Your YouTube Videos

TubeBuddy is a free browser extension and iOS mobile app that integrates with your YouTube. It is fully compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

TubeBuddy acts as an enhanced YouTube extension to help you streamline and manage your YouTube content easily. It enables you to optimize content by viewing key analytics on tags and titles so you can improve the searchability of your content.

TubeBuddy is particularly useful if you’re looking for ways to grow your YouTube channel by using trending topics for your titles and tags.

TubeBuddy Key Functions

The free extension of TubeBuddy has multiple functions that you can use to manage your content. To register with TubeBuddy, you will need to install the extension directly from their website.

The TubeBuddy navigator will appear on the top right-hand side of your YouTube page as a black drop-down menu. To ensure it is fully integrated with your YouTube channel, you need to register on the TubeBuddy website and add your YouTube channel to the online portal.

You will then need to sign in to your YouTube channel from YouTube to get the above drop-down menu to appear.

The TubeBuddy drop-down allows you to navigate across YouTube to your dashboard, videos, playlists, comments, and real-time analytics easily and quickly. It also optimizes your existing YouTube capabilities in the ways listed below.

Save Time With Video Uploads and Playlists

TubeBuddy allows you to upload multiple videos at once, with integrated templates for tags and titles to save time when publishing. You can create template cards to quickly upload videos in one go (particularly useful for uploading a series) and add videos to a playlist quickly during upload to encourage your subscribers to binge-watch multiple videos.

You can simply click ‘Add Card Templates’ to apply your templates to multiple video uploads. You can also update your tags and descriptions individually or in bulk for existing videos using the Videos link on the TubeBuddy menu.

Engage With Your Audience Comment Management

TubeBuddy enhances the existing YouTube comments function as it allows you to filter comments into a higher number of categories, including:
- Comments you haven’t responded to
- Comments from new subscribers
- Comments from your Patreons
- Comments that need a follow-up
It allows you to manage interactions with your subscribers comprehensively, so you’re prioritizing and engaging with the members of the audience you need to. You can also create canned responses to save time when responding to messages.

Generate SEO-Friendly Ideas With Keyword Explorer

Perhaps the best function of TubeBuddy is allowing you to quickly see what is trending on YouTube with the Keyword Explorer function.

Say you were looking to get your first 1,000 YouTube subscribers with valuable content. If you want to generate trend-hitting content tags type a keyword into the Explorer search bar:

And it will also suggest other popular keywords as you type them in (like ’TubeBuddy review’ or ‘TubeBuddy for youtube’). Once you’ve typed in your keyword, a list of analytics will appear for that keyword search you’ve just completed:

As you can see here, you do have to upgrade to a Pro license to see more than three frequent video searches or video tags. It is, however, beneficial for assessing how SEO-friendly your keywords are.

Here, for instance, TubeBuddy is too large a search term, so we can narrow down our success in the search rankings by changing the title to something closer to How To Use TubeBuddy.

Let’s analyze how successful this title is: ‘How To Use TubeBuddy for YouTube 2020.’

As you can see this is far more successful as an overall keyword score. This tool is particularly useful if you’re new to YouTube and not quite sure how to begin growing your subscriber base.

Analyze The Competition With Videolytics And Channelytics

With Keyword Explorer, you can also browse the results on YouTube to see what sorts of videos appear. Click on the Results tab next to the Summary pane, just below the keyword search bar.

Currently, the following videos are available:

If you click on the top video, you can also receive the stats for that specific video, which is an excellent way to track your YouTube competitors’ success. If you click through to their video, on the right-hand side you will see their ‘Videolytics’ for this video’s metrics and you can also click through to view their ‘Channelytics’ which gives you the stats for their channel specifically:

If you’re trying to mimic the success of a competitor, you can see which tags they are frequently using, and even copy them to save for use later.

Keyword Explorer is by far the most useful tool for generating SEO-friendly content ideas for your own YouTube videos.

Is TubeBuddy Worth It?

TubeBuddy is a free extension and is worth it. Many users feel that it saves them time and helps them generate successful content without the need to upgrade to Pro.

It might be slightly frustrating to have limited Keyword Explorer viewing options (only three items appear at a time outside of Pro). Still, given that it is entirely free, it’s worth installing.

TubeBuddy is also easy to cancel from the TubeBuddy website once you log in:

To date, there have also been no security breaches reported through using TubeBuddy, and many creators use it daily to upload and manage their content. It is also YouTube certified.

The biggest drawbacks of TubeBuddy are that it only works on one channel at a time, so you’ll have to buy a subscription for multiple channels. Also, many of the features like scheduled uploads are only available with the Pro content.

The app is currently not available on Android.

How Much Do TubeBuddy Licenses Cost?

There are three packages available with TubeBuddy: Pro, Star, and Legend.
- Pro: For $9 a month, you get access to most of the productivity and video optimization tools. You do not have the option to schedule content and complete bulk actions for large video uploads.
- Star: For $19 a month, you’re granted access to all of the bulk processing options available for video management, like scheduling bulk uploads and managing when content publishes.
- Legend: $49 a month grants you access to all the tools, like cross-channel SEO optimization, translation tools, and further competitor analysis.
The larger packages are only worth it if you have a large subscriber base, or are looking to make money from your channel. Non-profits, annual purchasers, and those with less than 1,000 subscribers also receive certain discounts across certain packages.

Final Musings On TubeBuddy

TubeBuddy is essentially a free upgrade for YouTube, so you can template your uploads, manage your comments, and generate SEO-friendly content ideas. For a free browser extension, it’s one of the best out there and worth checking out.

Keyword Explorer makes it completely worthwhile, and with a Pro package discount, it is worth investing in if you want to grow your channel and have less than 1,000 subscribers.

The more expensive TubeBuddy packages? We’ll leave you to decide.
October 3, 2020
Intego assessment
Intego – a multifunctional security software for your macOS

Intego is a security solution for macOS and Mac OS X computers and protects against various threats such as adware, spyware, Trojans, scareware, but also against online scams and phishing attempts. Intego developers have been in the security industry since 1997 and have plenty of experience to provide comprehensive protection when choosing to purchase Mac Internet Security X9 or Mac Premium Bundle X9, which are available at an affordable price .

In addition to the essential protection against malware, Integos Mac Internet Security is equipped with an arsenal of additional protection functions, including anti-spam, anti-phishing, data protection, a firewall and data backup. Any suspicious or malicious components that get inside the macOS computer will undoubtedly be terminated immediately.

In this Intego review, we’ll try to explain why you might need Intego’s Mac Internet Security Suite, how it protects your device, how much it costs, and what benefits it offers.

Intego for the best protection against malware and numerous other types of viruses

The Intego antivirus has been around for years, although many Mac users have believed that this platform does not require additional security tools as it is already protected by the built-in defense mechanisms. Macs are actually considered to be more secure when compared to devices with Windows as their operating system. Apple devices take advantage of features like Gatekeeper (prevents the installation of unauthorized software) and XProtect – which were initially sufficient to combat all of the unwanted software trying to get into Mac computers.

However, with the growing popularity of Apple products, it has caught the interest of cyber criminals. According to the latest statistics in Malwarebyte’s State of Malware report, Mac threats grew faster than Windows malware in 2019. Among the new threats is the rise in malware droppers like OSX / Shlayer , which incidentally was found on 10% of Macs running Kaspersky security software. Trojans are extremely persistent and can bypass the built-in protection mechanisms by using a cryptographic digital signature.

Without tools like Intego, further Mac infections can occur, personal data can be passed on to unknown parties (cyber criminals) and financial losses can be suffered due to malware functions that allow attackers to log every keystroke on the keyboard. In other words, Intego Mac Internet Security is an essential tool in protecting against online threats.

Intego Overview: Origin and Intelligence of Malware Threats

Intego is currently one of the leading security companies developing anti-malware products for macOS. Founded in 1997 as a private company by CEO Laurent Marteau, it currently has headquarters in Seattle and additional offices in Washington, Austin, and overseas in Paris and Nagano. The company’s motto is:

The security of your Mac is our top priority

Over the years, Intego virus protection has built a positive reputation among users – Intego software runs on more than 2 million devices worldwide and protects its users from online threats. But that’s not the only contribution the company has made in the more than 20 years of its existence – Intego researchers like Joshua Long, Kirk McElhearn, Victor Agreda, Jr., and many others publish their research and regularly describe how various threats are handled on the company’s security blog.

If you’re looking for an application built on the knowledge of experts in the field, Intego for Mac is the application for you.

Make the right choice with Intego

Before you install Intego Mac Internet Security, you should decide what level of protection you need. There are two different options that you can choose from – Mac Internet Security X9 or Mac Premium Bundle X9.
- If you want comprehensive protection with features like organizing your desktop, quick access to files, removing unnecessary duplicate files, and other optimization features, you should choose the Mac Premium Bundle X9. Prices for the bundle may vary as the company regularly offers discounts on its products – currently the bundle costs € 69.99 for a year / Mac.
- Mac Internet Security X9 is the basic package and is great value for money – it is currently only $ 39.99 and includes all the features needed to protect Macs from all the bad guys on the internet, including unknown apps and devices, phishing -Campaigns and network interventions.
It’s also great that you don’t have to buy the package right away, as you are entitled to a 30-day trial period. If you are unsatisfied after or while using the application, you can uninstall Intego immediately. All you have to do is register online and download the installer for the 30-day trial period. Once you’ve purchased Intego for Mac and are a registered user, you will also receive free technical support by phone, email, or web form.

How to Install Intego and Its Features

Intego is easy to install – it only takes a few minutes. Simply start the installation program and follow the instructions on the screen. Once the installation is complete, you will be asked to choose between three different protection modes: simple , standard and strong .

Which option you choose depends a lot on your preferences. For example, if you know that you visit high-risk websites frequently or your system is already infected with a Mac virus, it is advisable to choose the maximum level of protection. However, Standard should be sufficient for most normal computer users.

Once you have selected your security level, a convenient overlay gives you detailed information about each of Intego’s features. If you are already familiar with these functions, you can easily deactivate the overlay with a click of the mouse. You are finally ready for your first scan!

Mac Internet Security X9’s antivirus protects against all types of threats

There are numerous anti-malware products out there, and while many of them are great security solutions, some are less secure and act as malware themselves. Applications such as Advanced Mac Cleaner or Mac Tweak, for example, advertise anti-virus functions, but are in reality nothing more than useless programs that worry their users with false positive scan results in order to induce them to buy the software.

We therefore strongly recommend that you rely on tests carried out by independent laboratories – they test the capabilities of various antivirus programs and rate the tools based on protection, usability, and performance. Intego virus protection has been tested by many laboratories, including AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, which confirmed that the application was able to identify 100% of the malware tested and render it harmless.

You can count on the following Intego modules to protect you at all times:
- ContentBarrier
- NetBarrier
- VirusBarrier
The software is able to protect against drive-by downloads, malicious social media links, phishing emails and infected USB sticks, both against Windows and Mac malware. As soon as threats are found on the system, Intego Mac Internet Security quarantines and removes them. Should any type of system damage occur during this process, the program will repair it immediately.

In addition to protecting the system from malicious software, Intego is also able to stop most potentially unwanted programs downloaded from unofficial sources such as torrent sites. We would like to point out that adware was the leading type of Mac malware and threats of this type have only increased in recent years.

For additional security, you can also use NetBarrier – an effective firewall that prevents attackers from accessing your network. It has three different modes: public hotspot , work and home . Advanced users can independently change permissions and grant exceptions. However, the default settings are perfect for the less IT-savvy user.

Additional functions from Intego virus protection

Intego’s antivirus program is packed with various features that are not just about protecting against malware. Several more features are included in the application’s premium suite, including:
- Personal Backup is a feature that makes it easy to back up your most important files. While ransomware is not yet widespread on the Mac, some file-locking copies have been discovered – KeRanger, Patcher, and others. If you get infected with one of these viruses, you can say goodbye to your files forever – backups are the only salvation in such cases.
- Mac Washing Machine is another great feature. It cleans up macOS systems of junk, file duplicates, caches, downloads, logs and other useless files. All of these actions can also be performed manually using the functions built into macOS. However, Intego enables everything in just a few clicks – quickly and efficiently.
Intego Assessment: Final Thoughts

With this Intego review, we want to raise awareness among macOS users, as many are still convinced that no additional security measures are required. While Macs are sophisticated and contain many unique security features, it is important to remember that cyber criminals are always one step ahead and able to figure out how to bypass these built-in defenses.

Therefore, to stay safe online, equip your Mac with professional anti-malware. Intego not only gives you complete protection against threats, but also gives you access to other features to help clean your system and improve performance and speed. If for some reason you don’t like Intego, you can uninstall it in just a few clicks, so don’t hesitate to try the security tool.
October 3, 2020
Depositphotos Review – A High-Quality Image & Video Archive

Depositphotos is a royalty-free stock image website that has over 100 million images, vectors, and videos, in its archives.

These digital products can be used to create logos, to improve the look of blog posts, to create professional flyers and brochures, and more.

If you use the internet regularly, you have probably seen content being used that originated from Depositphotos; be it a banner for an eCommerce store or stock footage in a YouTube video.

Let’s take a closer look at what Depositphotos offers.

What Do Depositphotos Offer?

Founded by Dmitry Sergeev in 2009, Depositphotos is headquarted in Floria and has offices around the world in places like New York, Milan, an Moscow.

Within just a few months of its launch the service reached the milestone of hosting one million files. In just three years that total had grown over ten million files and the following year that figure doubled.

Depositphotos offers royalty-free images, vectors, and videos.

Just to clarify, royalty-free does not mean content is free to download. It means that when you do purchase an item, you are not charged every time you use it. You pay once and can use it as many times as you wish.

The quality on offer is extremely high with most pictures being available in resolutions that are several thousand pixels in width and height. You can, of course, download images and vectors at a lower resolution.

Videos are available in 240p, 480p, 720p, 1080p, and 4K. Higher resolutions, such as 1080p and 4K, are more expensive to purchase than 240p and 480p.

The selection of vectors is incredible too. There are icons, logos, backgrounds, illustrations, infographics, brochure templates, and more.

Finding Your Perfect Image or Video

Depositphotos has simplified the process of finding the right image or video. All you have to do is enter your keywords into the search bar on the home page or in your account area (if signed in).

If you wish, you can filter results to only show images, vectors, or videos.

The search results page is superb.

At the top of the page is a list of related keywords and search terms. This is useful as it helps you narrow your search down to a more specific term. It may also give you some ideas for other images and videos you had not considered.

The main content area shows search results. These can be sorted by best match, popular, newest, and undiscovered. The newest and undiscovered options can be utilised if you are searching for an item that has not been used by many others.

Down the left-hand side of the page is a list of filters to allow you to be more specific about what you want. The level of detail in this area is unbelievable. You can specify whether an image or video should be indoors, outdoors, isolated, what orientation it should be, what category, and what image size.

Keywords can be excluded too and you can define the colour you want to search for. What stood out for me was the people filter. You can set how many people should be in an image or video, whether their face is shown, what age they should be, their gender, and their ethenticity.

The filter menu on the left-hand side page can be expanded. This is a more practical way to use filters as it shows all filtering options at once.

When you click on an item, a pop up will appear that displays more information about it. A list of the available resolution and sizes is shown.

Navigation buttons at the left and right of the box allow you to skip to other items. At the bottom of the box you will also see similar items and items from the same series.

When you select a video, you will be shown the available resolutions and the frame rate which the video uses.

Make sure you check the resolution and frame rate of each item so that it works with the video you are creating; since some older videos are not available in 1080p or 4K.

Thankfully, if you are searching for a particular quality of video, you can do so easily. In the filter menu at the left-hand side of the page there is an option to search all videos or to search 720p, 1080p, and 4K videos.

Alternatively, you can amend your search term. For example, if I wanted a 4K video of the world which was recorded at 60 frames per second, you could use “World 4K 60 fps”.

When you choose to download any item, you will be prompted to sign up to Depositphotos. This only takes a few seconds to do.

Once you are logged in, your shopping cart will list any images, vectors, or videos, that you requested to download.

You can continue searching within the account area too.

I found the whole experience of searching for images and videos to be simple.

I do encourage you, however, to take advantage or the filtering system. With over 100 million files on offer, the sheer volume of items is overwhelming.

If you keep narrowing your search down, you are more likely to find exactly what you want.

Browsing With Your Phone

A mobile app is available for Depositphotos on iOS and Android.

If you are browsing for content using your phone or tablet, you will probably find the process of searching for items more enjoyable with the app.

The Cost of Using Depositphotos

When you are logged in you will see pricing boxes that state that you can download images from €0.16 per image and videos from €11.39 per video.

I found it bizarre for prices to be stated in euros here as the main subscription page states prices in dollars. Even when I changed my location and timezone to the USA, euros were still displayed. It even promotes plans in dollars directly underneath the part where it quotes euros.

I believe this is a quirk of their location detection script as on the main subscription page, I can only change to euros or pounds when signed in.

The prices stated in the account area are an effective price as you can only purchase items individually if you are purchasing an extended license for an image or video. You instead need to sign up for one of their subscription plans.

For images and vectors, you have three different pricing options available to you. Photos of any size can be downloaded in each plan.

The first option is a monthly subscription. You can get 75 images per month for $69, 150 images for $99, and 750 images for $199. The yearly price for these plans are $699, $999, and $1,999, respectively. Therefore, paying yearly drops the effective monthly price down to $58.25, $83.25, and $166.58. In other words, if you pay yearly you get two months free.

The flexible plan is available for $29 per month or $299 per year. The yearly option drops the effective monthly price down to $24.92. You can download up to 30 images per month under this plan. Any additional images are charged at $1 each.

The last option is to download on demand. You are not tied into a subscription when you pay this way and can download images at any time within the year. It costs $49 for 10 images, $99 for 25 images, and $299 for 100 images.

For images or print runs over 500,000, you should buy the extended license. This costs $89 for 10 images, $359 for 25 images, and $1,599 for 100 images.

Unfortunately, there are no monthly plans for video content. This could be a little frustrating for some people as pricing is based on video quality; which may not suit those of you who are looking for videos of variable quality for different videos.

For one video it costs $19 for a 240p video, $39 for 480p, $59 for 720p, $69 for 1080p, and $169. The effective price of each video goes down when you buy a package of five or twenty-five videos.

Should you wish to earn money from Depositphotos, you may want to consider their referral program to get a 15% commission; however their affiliate program pays significantly more so I would recommend signing up for that instead.

Final Thoughts

From a usability point of view, Depositphotos is a joy to use. It is easy to navigate and the filtering options help you refine your search further.

I was also impressed with the quality of images and videos. Each photo and vector is available in high resolutions so you never need to accept any limitations for designs and articles.

HD and 4K videos are available in abundance too, however I am not sure why 240p and 480p videos are even offered in 2019. They should really make 720p the minimum video resolution and/or drop the prices of older SD videos.

As always, price is subjective.

From an image and vector point of view, I believe pricing is fair. At $29, the flexible plan is a great option for bloggers as it works out just less than $1 an image, however you can always pay on demand if you wish.

Videos cost more. Some of you may be curious as to why anyone would pay $69 for a 1080p video and $169 for a 4K video, however to busiensses these videos could save them a ton of money. For example, a business may have to spend thousands of dollars to hire someone to record the footage they need for a promotion, tutorial, or ad campaign. By buying a pre-made video they can save time and money.

Of course, you always have to review what you need and what you can afford to pay.

If you are looking for a cheap alternative to Depositphotos, check out the company’s other service Crello. It is a front-end design tool that makes creating unique designs and videos simple. Be sure to read my full review for a better understanding of what Crello can do.

Thanks for reading.

October 3, 2020
LiveChat Review: Easily Add Live Chat to Your WordPress Site
In this review, I’ll be taking a look at LiveChat from the perspective of a WordPress site owner. While LiveChat is technically a standalone SaaS, they have their own WordPress plugin that makes it super simple to set your WordPress site up with LiveChat.

To that end, I’ll be reviewing two things:
- The actual LiveChat service
- How easy it is to get LiveChat up and running on WordPress
Spoiler alert – it’s crazy simple to integrate with WordPress and the interface is pretty dang slick. But more on that later…

LiveChat Review: The Feature List

Because LiveChat is a standalone SaaS rather than a WordPress plugin, it boasts an impressive feature list. I won’t list every single thing, but here are the highlights:
- Custom chat window designs
- Automatic personalized greetings
- Ticket form in case your live chat is unavailable when someone sends a message
- Canned responses to save time
- Chat transfer if you’re using multiple agents
- Web, mobile and desktop apps so you can chat with visitors no matter where you are
- Detailed statistics and a real-time dashboard overview
- Plenty of helpful features for teams
- Post-chat ratings and surveys to see how effective your support is
And if you want, you can even go further and track your visitors to gather additional customer data.

Alright…let’s dig.

Hands-on With LiveChat and WordPress

My first port of call is to install the LiveChat plugin and see what happens. After activating it, I get an option to create a new LiveChat account directly from my WordPress dashboard. That’s nice…will save me a couple of clicks:

With that out of the way, my next step is to Sign in to web application:

Clicking that takes me over to LiveChat’s website, which I assume is where I’ll actually configure my live chat box.

At this point, your live chat is actually already up and running on the front-end of your site:

That literally couldn’t be simpler. LiveChat even pulled in my gravatar to add an image. The above screenshot is exactly how my site looks after just creating an account. I haven’t configured anything yet.

As far as ease of use goes, the integration really couldn’t have been any simpler.

Configuring Your LiveChat Box

As I mentioned, you’ll configure all of your chat box’s settings at LiveChat’s website, not inside your WordPress dashboard.

To access those settings, you can use the same credentials you used to create your LiveChat account when you signed up inside your WordPress dashboard. Then, you head to the settings tab and you can choose your:
- Theme
- Language
- Pre-chat survey (if any)
- Post-chat survey (if any)
- Queue message
- Ticket form
For Theme, you can change the layout and colors, as well as add custom CSS if you’d like:

In Language, you can choose your overall language as well as customize the various prompts:

In Pre-chat survey, you can set up an optional pre-chat questionnaire that visitors will have to fill out before chatting with you:

Post-chat survey, as you might expect, lets you do the same thing for after your chat session:

The Queued visitors tab lets you customize the message that appears when all of your agents are busy:

And finally, the Ticket form tab lets you decide whether or not to allow visitors to leave a message if they use your live chat window during off hours. If you enable this option, you can also customize the form that visitors will fill out in that situation:

All in all, it’s pretty dang simple. And the nice thing is that any changes you make here will get automatically pushed to your WordPress site. You don’t need to redo the integration or anything.

Agent Tools for More Productivity

Another nice thing you can configure are your Agent Tools. These make you more productive by allowing you to add:
- Canned responses
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Tags
For example, you could create a canned response and assign that canned response to a shortcut so that you can use it in live chat by just pressing using #shortcut:

Responding to Live Chat Messages

Configuring your live chat window is pretty dang simple. But how can you actually respond to messages once they start rolling in?

You have three options:
- The LiveChat website
- A desktop app
- A mobile app
Here’s how simple it is to use the website interface. Just head to the Chats tab. Then, whenever a new chat comes in, it will immediately pop up on the website. No need to refresh or anything. LiveChat even plays a voice message to alert you of the new chat (in case you’re in a different tab):

You can even see more information about the person who you’re chatting with like:
- Where they’re located
- Which page they’re on
- How long they’ve been on both that page and your website as a whole
And if you get multiple chat messages, you can see an overview of all your different chats:

If you need more functionality, you can click on the More tab to be able to:
- End the chat
- Transfer the chat
- Create a ticket from the chat
- Upload files
- Ban the visitor (in case of abuse)
Viewing Chat Analytics

Last thing I’ll show you for now! LiveChat also includes this nifty Reports tab that lets you view how you’ve done recently. You can quickly see:
- # of queued visitors
- Achieved goals
- Satisfaction (from post-chat surveys)
- Lots of other pertinent data
You can even view these data points in real-time on a big dashboard:

If you’re running a team, this will be super useful to see how you’re doing. Even if you’re just solo, you can still get valuable data from the regular Reports tab.

How Much Does LiveChat Cost?

Moment of truth – how much is all of this going to cost you? Well, it depends on the number of agents you have and what features you need.

Plans start at $19 per month per agent when billed month-to-month. That plan has a limited chat history, though. To get unlimited chat history, you’ll need the plan that costs $36 per month per agent.

If you’re willing to pay annually, you can also save some cash that way.

With all of these plans, you can get a 30-day free trial. No credit card required.

Wrapping Things Up

LiveChat integrates seamlessly with WordPress. Seriously – there’s nothing to configure. Just install the plugin, create an account, and go. Configuring things in the LiveChat is intuitive and well-designed. They include plenty of helpful onboarding tips to make getting started.

As for the actual live chat system, I liked the canned responses and shortcuts. And the actual interface for dealing with chats is pleasant. I didn’t try the desktop or mobile apps. But if they’re similar to the cloud interface, I imagine they’re well-designed as well.

I’ve only personally used a couple live chat services (Zopim and Olark being the others). But of those that I’ve tried, LiveChat is the nicest (though it is also a tiny bit more expensive than those alternatives).

So if you’re in the market for a live chat tool that integrates easily with WordPress, give LiveChat a look. Its easy setup and 30-day free trial mean you won’t be out any time or money for giving it a go.
October 3, 2020
StackPath review

It may only be three years old, but StackPath has built an extensive product range by acquiring a host of other big internet players: MaxCDN, Highwinds, the VPN service Encrypt, and the web security specialists Fireblade and Staminus.

The company has spent the past year or two extending and integrating these technologies, and the end result is a set of four web services: monitoring, managed DNS, a powerful web application firewall, and the subject of this review, a content delivery network (CDN).

StackPath’s network is relatively small and focused on Western locations, with perhaps 13 locations in North America and nine in Europe (the website doesn’t give consistent figures, so it’s hard to say for sure). These are joined by four in Asia (Tokyo, Manila, Seoul and Singapore), as well as two each in Brazil and Australia.

Features include smart origin shield support to give you a handy intermediate layer of caching. Instead of every edge location hammering your origin with requests for new and updated content, this is cached first by a single location, and served to the rest of the network from there.

Speedy cache purging enables deleting the content from your entire CDN within milliseconds, ensuring all your visitors will see the latest version of your website, wherever they are.

StackPath’s EdgeSSL gives you a free wildcard SSL, and serves SSL direct from its edge locations, reducing the CPU load on your origin server.

Pricing is refreshingly simple, especially if you’ve ever explored the nightmare that is AWS. A flat $10 (£7.69) a month gets you support for unlimited websites and requests, and 1TB of bandwidth. Additional bandwidth is available for $0.04/GB up to an extra 100TB, and $0.03 for 100TB to 1PB. It’s charged at the same rate for all locations, and there are no annoying hidden extras. Features like origin shield and DDoS protection are included for free.

Ramping up to the $20 (£15.38) a month Edge Delivery plan gets you unlimited EdgeRules to precisely customize how the CDN works, and adds basic support for StackPath’s web application firewall, managed DNS and service monitoring.

Further combinations of products – or ‘stacks’, as StackPath calls them – are available, and the company plans to add more in future.

All plans come with 24/7 support and a 100% uptime guarantee, and you can try out the service free for a month, no payment details required.

Setup StackPath

Setting up a StackPath account is quick and easy, at least initially. Forget the usual bulky signup forms, just enter your email address and you’re immediately browsing StackPath’s available services.

We opted for the CDN, and the website redirected us to the very brief setup process.

After asking for our website domain, we were prompted to choose the origin from where StackPath would be pulling content. This will normally be the web server, and StackPath automatically detects the IP address and best protocol (HTTP or HTTPS), but you can also direct the service to Amazon S3 or a Google Cloud Storage bucket.

We clicked Continue, the website created our website and generated a CNAME target in the form z7d4w7j9.stackpathcdn.com. Add that as a CNAME record to the DNS records for a domain, and StackPath handles everything else, caching content, picking up requests from visitors, then automatically serving the relevant files from the fastest possible location.

It really can be as simple as that. We hadn’t been asked for our name, our telephone number or payment details, or even to verify our email address. But our CDN was activated, online and ready to use, at least for our free trial month

If you’d like more control, a Settings panel gives you some handy tools. You’re able to define how long the CDN will keep your content before it checks your origin for file changes (minimum is 30 minutes, maximum is 8 days.) If that’s a problem, you can purge specific files from the cache or instantly clear everything. Performance tweaks include HTTP/2 and GZip compression support, and more advanced extras include CORS header support, query string options (how to handle ‘?example=this’ queries) and host header control.

Although we aren’t covering them in this review, StackPath’s web application firewall, monitoring and managed DNS services are available from the same control panel, just a click away.

Overall, StackPath can’t match the extreme configurability of services like CloudFront. It’s vastly easier to use, though, and there’s enough power here for most applications.

Performance

Assessing CDN performance can be very difficult. Speeds vary considerably depending on location, and a service that is only average in Europe or the US might be a leader in Asia.

CDNPerf can offer some useful clues, as it provides a simple view of Cedexis’ user monitoring data covering billions of CDN tests.

As we write, StackPath’s worldwide performance looks unexceptional, with the company ranking 13th out of 18 contenders. Drill down into the details, though, and you’ll find much better results in some areas. We checked the North America results and found StackPath ranked fifth, ahead of big names such as Azure, AWS, Cloudflare and Akamai.

Configurability can be another important aspect of a service, as customizing a service to suit your needs may sometimes bring performance benefits. The interface doesn’t seem to offer very much on this front, though, apart from a few tweaks we’ve mentioned already (HTTP/2, GZip support).

Website talk of StackPath’s EdgeRules system seems more promising, with rules which allow you to ‘customize your asset delivery, security measures, SEO, and mobile experience to your needs.’ Sounds good, especially as it goes on to explain that ‘EdgeRules are included with every CDN package at no additional charge. At StackPath, control comes standard.’

Unfortunately, this isn’t entirely true. EdgeRules aren’t included in the baseline $10 (£7.50) a month CDN package, and you’ll need at least the $20 (£15) a month Edge Delivery Pro plan to access them. That’s still good value and the EdgeRules are certainly worth having, but we would be even happier if the marketing side of the website didn’t make promises that the pricing page can’t keep.

We completed our review by taking a look at StackPath’s support system. This starts with the web knowledgebase, which looks good, but has little depth. A CDN Setup area scores for covering how to set up the service with multiple popular apps, but the CDN Configuration section has only nine articles, most of which provide the bare minimum of information. And although, for instance, the main website refers you to the support pages for details on EdgeRules, we couldn’t find a single mention of them in the knowledgebase.

Fortunately, StackPath scores much better with real, live, human support, with agents available 24/7 via phone, ticket and live chat. We tried the chat option, were talking to an agent within three minutes and had an accurate answer to our product question almost immediately. Combine that with up-to-date information about network status being readily available on the StackPath site and you should be able to quickly understand and resolve any network issues which might crop up.

Final verdict

We would like more locations, but StackPath is easy to set up and manage, with quality reporting and simple integration with StackPath’s Web Application Firewall and DNS products. If you’re a CDN newcomer, sign up for the monthly trial and check it out for yourself.

April 25, 2020