Find out how RenderAtelier employed Vantage to create an animation for the TESVOLT gigafactory project, meeting deadlines thanks to swift rendering speeds.Summary:RenderAtelier, a Berlin, Germany-based visualization company, was established in 2011.The company was commissioned to create an animation for TESVOLTs gigafactory, which will produce stationary battery storage systems.Alongside its regular workflow using 3ds Max and Corona, RenderAtelier took the opportunity to use Vantageits first in-depth experience with the tool.With a tight deadline, Vantage enabled the team to create quick previews, secure fast storyboard approval, and meet the one-month deadline.In 2011, Dimitri Klein founded RenderAtelier.net to bridge the gap between architectural design and visual storytelling. Since then, the company has grown into a team of 10 professionals working on projects that have won numerous competitions and awards for a client base across Germany and Europe.When it comes to project selection, Dimitri proudly states, There are no impossible tasks for us. He explains that their close collaboration with architects from the early stages of a project allows them to create compelling images and animations for marketing campaigns.After being tasked with visualizing TESVOLTs gigafactory, RenderAtelier saw an opportunity to integrate Vantage into its regular 3ds Max and Corona workflow. Using Vantage allowed the team to generate quick previews and secure quick approval on the storyboard, ensuring they could meet their tight one-month deadline.

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube799kAnyone familiar with the Mario Kart series will tell you that the tracks are the true stars of the show. Sure, gimmicks like two riders in one kart, anti-gravity support, and gliders are all well and good, but they mean little if the tracks themselves aren't particularly fun. Thankfully, Nintendo pretty much has this area wrapped up in a neat little bow.One fan who seemingly knows this all too well is Joseph Herscher, who via his YouTube channel Joseph's Machines has created an automated real-life Mario Kart track on which to race various Lego sets. It's really quite astonishing.Now, Joseph is no stranger to building automated machines heck, his whole channel is focused on this very subject but we can't help but marvel at the ingenuity on display in his latest creation. One of our favourite moments is when Yoshi gets squished by a giant box, his flat remains staining the ground for all to see.It's remarkable, and well worth watching if you're after some inspiration for your own Lego Mario Kart sets.Nintendo and Lego also recently revealed a larger 18+ Mario Kart set that's scheduled to launch on 15th May 2025. It'll cost 149.99, but if you're after something special to display on your shelves at home, you might want to check it out. Pole position on our wishlistsWhat do you make of this creation from Joseph's Machines? Have you tried anything similar? Let us know with a comment.[source youtube.com]Share:02 Nintendo Lifes resident horror fanatic, when hes not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from TOOL to Chuck Berry. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Museum Launches Keychains That Play Your Favourite Console JinglePortable nostalgiaSwitch 2 Predicted To Cost "$400 Or More"It could also be the "biggest console launch ever"

Google has reported the results of an experiment it ran which removed news from search results for 1% of users for 2.5 months in eight* markets in Europe claiming the results show that news is essentially worthless to Googles ad business. The search giant conducted the test because European copyright law requires it to pay news publishers for reusing snippets of their content. But how much is displaying news worth? Google argues that publishers vastly overestimate the value of their journalism to its business; per its report of the tests, the actual value could not be statistically distinguished from zero, either overall or by country.Google will be hoping to use this outcome as leverage in payment negotiations with European publishers. But the tech giant is walking a tricky line, as it has already faced major antitrust fines in France in recent years in relation to news content. In particular, it was fined more than half a billion dollars over its approach to copyright negotiations with publishers, specifically.Germanys competition authority has dialled up scrutiny of elements of Googles behavior around news and forced the company to make changes. So any moves by Google to try to undercut the effect of the EU copyright law by claiming news is worthless could land it in more regulatory hot water. Indeed, the company had initially included users in France in the news ablation tests but abandoned this portion of the experiment after a French court warned it would be fined for breaking a prior agreement with the antitrust authority. Notably, Google also did not run the test in Germany. * Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain

Reinforce 3D, the Spanish developer of structural reinforcement solutions for additive manufacturing, has secured a $1.2 million capital investment to advance its Continuous Fiber Injection Process (CFIP) technology. This funding aims to accelerate the companys growth and expand its innovative technology applications by 2025.The investment round was led by prominent venture capital firms focused on industrial innovation and advanced manufacturing. Reinforce 3D plans to utilize the funds to scale up production, refine its proprietary reinforcement technology, and enhance market penetration across key industries, including aerospace, automotive, and defense.Stock of fibers used in production. Photo via Reinforce 3DAdvancing Structural Reinforcement in Additive ManufacturingReinforce 3D has developed a process that enhances the mechanical properties of 3D printed parts by integrating advanced fiber reinforcement techniques. This method significantly improves the strength, durability, and reliability of printed components, addressing a critical challenge in additive manufacturing.At the core of this advancement is Reinforce 3Ds Continuous Fiber Injection Process (CFIP) technology. CFIP enables in-situ reinforcement of 3D-printed polymer parts with continuous fibers, enhancing their mechanical properties without requiring post-processing steps. By embedding reinforcement fibers directly during the printing process, CFIP ensures superior structural integrity compared to traditional composite manufacturing techniques.The companys technology is particularly valuable for industries requiring high-performance materials, such as aerospace and automotive, where lightweight yet durable components are crucial. By reinforcing printed parts during the manufacturing process, Reinforce 3D provides technology that rivals traditional composite manufacturing techniques.Strategic Growth and Industry ExpansionBlanca Garro, Reinforce 3Ds CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the investment, emphasizing the potential impact of their technology on the broader additive manufacturing sector. We are ready to scale faster, innovate more, and create lasting value for our customers and partners. This round of investment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for us. We are immensely grateful to our investors for their confidence in our vision of creating a more innovative, efficient, and sustainable future. Their support inspires us to reach new heights.The company recently announced a strategic partnership with Spring Srl, a leader in advanced composite manufacturing. This collaboration aims to further refine CFIP technology and expand its applications across various industrial sectors, strengthening Reinforce 3Ds position as a key player in the additive manufacturing landscape.Delta Machine for 3D printing reinforcement. Photo via Reinforce 3D.Reinforcement Technology in Additive ManufacturingWhile CFIP represents a breakthrough in fiber reinforcement for additive manufacturing, other companies have also developed advanced techniques to enhance the strength and durability of 3D-printed components.Markforgeds Continuous Fiber Reinforcement (CFR) technology integrates continuous fibers such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, or Kevlar into polymer matrices during the printing process. This approach produces composite parts that are significantly stronger and stiffer than traditional thermoplastic 3D prints.Anisoprints Composite Fiber Co-extrusion (CFC) technology enables the simultaneous deposition of continuous fibers and thermoplastics, allowing precise control over fiber orientation. The process is particularly beneficial for applications requiring optimized load distribution, such as robotics and structural components in automotive manufacturing, where both strength and flexibility are crucial.Continuous Composites CF3D process combines continuous fiber reinforcements with thermosetting resins using a robotic deposition system. CF3D employs snap-curing thermosetting resins to create near-instant solidification, allowing the fabrication of highly anisotropic composite parts with superior strength-to-weight ratios.Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news.You can also follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Youtube channel to access more exclusive content.Featured image shows CFIP Technology showcased through a tubular cavity. Photo via Reinforce 3D.

German multinational engineering and technology company Bosch has launched a new metal additive manufacturing facility at its Nuremberg plant, investing nearly 6 million.At the heart of the facility is a Nikon SLM Solutions NXG XII 600 metal 3D printer, which the company says will play a key role in producing complex metal parts more efficiently. With this addition, the automotive giant sees itself as the first Tier-1 automotive supplier in Europe to operate a facility in this performance class.The new setup is part of Boschs ongoing effort to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities in Germany. At full capacity, the new facility can manufacture up to 10,000 kilograms of metal parts annually, with production speeds reaching 1,000 cm/h.According to Technical Plant Manager Jrg Luntz, the main goal is to reduce time-to-market by moving faster than traditional manufacturing methods allow. Even today, only a few companies can produce technology on an industrial scale the way Bosch does. Were now going one step further, taking volume production in metal 3D printing to the automotive level.3D printed steering gear box. Photo via Bosch.Flexible production and faster turnaround timesOne of the benefits of the new system is its flexibility. The printer can produce unfinished parts directly from digital files, eliminating the need for tooling. It also minimizes raw material waste, which Weichsel pointed out contributes to more sustainable production practices. In addition, the setup allows Bosch to adapt quickly to changes in batch size while keeping the entire process in-house.The machine is capable of producing a wide range of parts, from components used in hydrogen applications and electric vehicle motor housings to e-axle parts and engine blocks for racing. Using twelve lasers, the printer fuses metal powder layer by layer according to computer-aided design files.Compared to earlier systems, it operates up to five times faster and can handle geometries that would be challenging, or even impossible, with traditional milling. For example, the ability to print curved or internal channels offers clear advantages for complex component design.Bosch remains committed to Germany as an industrial location and is investing large sums of money here. By introducing new technologies in our plants, we are securing considerable sales potential, said Klaus Mder, member of the Bosch Mobility sector board responsible for operations.A case in point is engine block manufacturing. Traditionally, this process can stretch over three years, with mold-making alone requiring up to 18 months. With 3D printing, Bosch can bypass that step entirely. The design data goes straight to the machine, and a finished engine block can be produced in just a few days, a shift that significantly shortens the development timeline.At the plant level, expectations are high. Alexander Weichsel, Commercial Plant Manager in Nuremberg, noted that the facility is designed to make metal part production both faster and more productive, factors he believes will enhance Boschs competitiveness.Beyond automotive, the company also sees opportunities in areas such as energy and aviation.New Nikon SLM Solutions NXG XII 600 3D printer at Nuremberg plant. Photo via Bosch.Metal AM advantage in automotive sectorMetal 3D printing is increasingly being used in automotive production to streamline workflows, reduce costs, and enable complex part designs not possible with traditional methods.Earlier this month it was announced that Japanese automotive manufacturer Honda is exploring how laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) 3D printing could enhance manufacturing across its automotive, motorsports, aerospace, and wheelchair racing divisions. The company highlighted benefits such as faster production, lower costs, and shorter lead times.According to the company, metal 3D printing is already part of its workflow, with LPBF systems from Nikon SLM Solutions used to create complex components like pistons and turbine housings for Oracle Red Bull Racings F1 cars, as well as lightweight, custom-fit aluminum handlebars for racing wheelchairs. Simulation tools and real-time monitoring further improved part accuracy and overall manufacturing precision.Back in 2023, Europes largest carmaker Volkswagen Group acquired a second MetalFAB 3D printer from Netherlands-based Additive Industries to expand its metal additive manufacturing capabilities. The company cited the systems automation, modularity, and efficiency-enhancing tools as key factors in the decision.Its first MetalFAB unit had already contributed to significant cost and lead time reductions. Back in 2018, Volkswagen opened a dedicated 3D printing center, and more recently, partnered with HP and Siemens to further scale production. At its Wolfsburg plant, the company aimed to manufacture up to 100,000 3D printed automotive components annually by 2025.What3D printing trendsshould you watch out for in 2025?How is thefuture of 3D printingshaping up?To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Featured image shows 3D printed steering gear box. Photo via Bosch.Ada ShaikhnagWith a background in journalism, Ada has a keen interest in frontier technology and its application in the wider world. Ada reports on aspects of 3D printing ranging from aerospace and automotive to medical and dental.

As its name tells you, customer relationship management, or CRM, software provides tools that businesses of any size can use to deal with customer relationships and interactions. Areas covered by CRM packages can include communication management and tracking; marketing assistance; lead and deal tracking; and financial analysis -- all of which help businesses grow and optimize their sales channels.If you run a small business that needs a platform for managing sales leads and growth, investing in CRM software is an excellent idea. CRM suites not only provide a central platform for monitoring customer interactions, sales, and deals, they can also be used to automate some time-consuming processes, freeing you up to focus on your business' core needs.What is the best small-business CRM software right now?The best CRM software for small businesses is HubSpot. HubSpot is an excellent way to enter the CRM market without spending a single dollar, and though the free plan is limited, you can unlock sales, lead generation, and customer support packages with a paid upgrade once you're comfortable.ZDNET has kept an eye on the customer relationship management market for years, and we extensively research and compare vendors when we compile our recommendation lists. Read on to discover the best CRM software solutions for small businesses in 2025. Sort by All The best small-business CRM software of 2025 Show less View now at HubSpot If you're looking for a way to implement a CRM as the next stage of your growing business, many people will point you toward HubSpot.This CRM starts you off with a free plan, and when we say free, this means you don't have to hand over any payment card details. Just enter an email address, go through the verification process, and let HubSpot know if you're new to CRM software, and away you go.What I particularly like about this CRM is that it'll tailor your learning experience based on your priorities -- whether you want to automate marketing schemes, generate sales leads, build a website, or improve your customer support system.You'll find that the basic, free CRM can be used for tasks such as contact management and email marketing. But you'll need to pay to access the sales dashboard, helpdesk suite, surveys, or customer portal.Paid plans begin at $15/user/month for starter plans. However, subscription to the next level costs $90/user/month if you want to upgrade to Service Hub Professional. HubSpot's enterprise plan, Service Hub Enterprise, is $150/user/month.HubSpot is a good option if you're just entering the CRM world, with many smaller outfits reporting that they're happy with the system. However, some also note that the costs can quickly escalate if you want advanced features.Hubspot features:Different workspaces | Website help | Dashboards | Contact sync | Tutorials | App marketplace | Free plan, 14-day Pro trial Pros Workflow automation Website help Clean dashboard Cons Can become costly Reports of poor customer service If you're looking for a way to implement a CRM as the next stage of your growing business, many people will point you toward HubSpot.This CRM starts you off with a free plan, and when we say free, this means you don't have to hand over any payment card details. Just enter an email address, go through the verification process, and let HubSpot know if you're new to CRM software, and away you go.What I particularly like about this CRM is that it'll tailor your learning experience based on your priorities -- whether you want to automate marketing schemes, generate sales leads, build a website, or improve your customer support system.You'll find that the basic, free CRM can be used for tasks such as contact management and email marketing. But you'll need to pay to access the sales dashboard, helpdesk suite, surveys, or customer portal.Paid plans begin at $15/user/month for starter plans. However, subscription to the next level costs $90/user/month if you want to upgrade to Service Hub Professional. HubSpot's enterprise plan, Service Hub Enterprise, is $150/user/month.HubSpot is a good option if you're just entering the CRM world, with many smaller outfits reporting that they're happy with the system. However, some also note that the costs can quickly escalate if you want advanced features.Hubspot features:Different workspaces | Website help | Dashboards | Contact sync | Tutorials | App marketplace | Free plan, 14-day Pro trial Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Zoho Zoho is another excellent option, with affordable plans for small businesses looking to explore the benefits of CRM software.Zoho not only provides users with an extensive range of functions and customization options, but it also places automation and orchestration at the heart of its software. Users can capture leads and automate sales and support tasks with ease, not to mention that predictive analytics is also available.If you want a sales-focused option for your small business, you should consider Zoho CRM. By using CommandCenter, you can track customer journeys and sales processes, giving you insight into any issues or sticking points and allowing you to improve customer experiences and outcomes.Prices start at $14/seat/month. The entry-level Zoho CRM plan includes email campaigns, forecasting, and workflow management features. Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate subscriptions -- priced at $23, $40, and $52/seat/month, respectively -- offer advanced tools including the Zia AI assistant, orchestration, custom functions, analytics, and business insights. There's also a limited, free plan available.Zoho CRM reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with many small-business owners considering it a game changer.Zoho CRM features:Sales automation | Orchestration | User portals | Customization | Microsoft 365 integration| Analytics | Forecasting | AI assistant | Free plan, 15-day trial Pros Excellent range of tools No contract locks Reasonable pricing Cons AI assistant limited to advanced plans Zoho is another excellent option, with affordable plans for small businesses looking to explore the benefits of CRM software.Zoho not only provides users with an extensive range of functions and customization options, but it also places automation and orchestration at the heart of its software. Users can capture leads and automate sales and support tasks with ease, not to mention that predictive analytics is also available.If you want a sales-focused option for your small business, you should consider Zoho CRM. By using CommandCenter, you can track customer journeys and sales processes, giving you insight into any issues or sticking points and allowing you to improve customer experiences and outcomes.Prices start at $14/seat/month. The entry-level Zoho CRM plan includes email campaigns, forecasting, and workflow management features. Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate subscriptions -- priced at $23, $40, and $52/seat/month, respectively -- offer advanced tools including the Zia AI assistant, orchestration, custom functions, analytics, and business insights. There's also a limited, free plan available.Zoho CRM reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with many small-business owners considering it a game changer.Zoho CRM features:Sales automation | Orchestration | User portals | Customization | Microsoft 365 integration| Analytics | Forecasting | AI assistant | Free plan, 15-day trial Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Monday.com Monday.com could be the right CRM software for you if your focus is on workflow organization and management.I've used Monday previously as a contractor, and I've found that it's very easy to learn and useful for daily task organization. The platform uses "boards" to manage tasks and assignments, making it easy to keep track of employee activities. I like this option, as small businesses can start with workflows and then adopt the full CRM if they choose, expanding board usage and diving into sales and lead generation, customer onboarding, marketing activities, outreach programs, and sales forecasting.You can also purchase AI "credits" that let you assign AI to complete tasks for you, including assigning employee projects, analyzing risks, creating summaries, and performing data capture.If you're interested, you can use Monday.com's workflow management setup for free, as long as you don't need more than two seats. If, however, you'd like to use it to handle team collaboration and assignments, prices start from $9/seat/month if you just want boards, or $12/user/month for the full CRM.Customers say Monday.com provides excellent management features but that customer support is lackluster.Monday.com features:Workflow dashboards | Task assignment| AI | Automation| Sales forecasting | Lead capture | Free plan Pros Easy to learn Reasonable pricing AI option Robust data management Cons Lack of support Automation limits on some plans Monday.com could be the right CRM software for you if your focus is on workflow organization and management.I've used Monday previously as a contractor, and I've found that it's very easy to learn and useful for daily task organization. The platform uses "boards" to manage tasks and assignments, making it easy to keep track of employee activities. I like this option, as small businesses can start with workflows and then adopt the full CRM if they choose, expanding board usage and diving into sales and lead generation, customer onboarding, marketing activities, outreach programs, and sales forecasting.You can also purchase AI "credits" that let you assign AI to complete tasks for you, including assigning employee projects, analyzing risks, creating summaries, and performing data capture.If you're interested, you can use Monday.com's workflow management setup for free, as long as you don't need more than two seats. If, however, you'd like to use it to handle team collaboration and assignments, prices start from $9/seat/month if you just want boards, or $12/user/month for the full CRM.Customers say Monday.com provides excellent management features but that customer support is lackluster.Monday.com features:Workflow dashboards | Task assignment| AI | Automation| Sales forecasting | Lead capture | Free plan Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Less Annoying CRM Less Annoying CRM is a CRM best suited for small businesses that need a clean, clutter-free CRM experience for daily task and sales management.Less Annoying CRM doesn't limit its customers based on plan. Thus, from the beginning you'll have access to unlimited contact and sales pipeline field entry, task assignments, agendas, calendars, event handling, lead data, and more.The CRM also supports third-party integrations with popular software including Google Calendar, Mailchimp, JustCall, and Xapp.ai.This vendor has adopted an interesting pricing structure -- and one many small businesses will appreciate. You pay a fixed $15/user/month (plus tax) for unlimited pipelines, 25GB of storage per user, and full access to the software suite. However, once you need more than 10 seats, you'll need to contact the company to discuss an upgrade.Customers of Less Annoying CRM say it's an excellent platform for simplifying management, but some note that businesses may outgrow it rather quickly.Less Annoying CRM features:Daily task management|Pipeline entry | Team management | Mobile support | 2FA | Third-party integration| Free trial Pros Excellent pricing approach Great for new projects Easy to learn Cons You might outgrow it quickly Limited third-party app list Less Annoying CRM is a CRM best suited for small businesses that need a clean, clutter-free CRM experience for daily task and sales management.Less Annoying CRM doesn't limit its customers based on plan. Thus, from the beginning you'll have access to unlimited contact and sales pipeline field entry, task assignments, agendas, calendars, event handling, lead data, and more.The CRM also supports third-party integrations with popular software including Google Calendar, Mailchimp, JustCall, and Xapp.ai.This vendor has adopted an interesting pricing structure -- and one many small businesses will appreciate. You pay a fixed $15/user/month (plus tax) for unlimited pipelines, 25GB of storage per user, and full access to the software suite. However, once you need more than 10 seats, you'll need to contact the company to discuss an upgrade.Customers of Less Annoying CRM say it's an excellent platform for simplifying management, but some note that businesses may outgrow it rather quickly.Less Annoying CRM features:Daily task management|Pipeline entry | Team management | Mobile support | 2FA | Third-party integration| Free trial Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Salesmate Salesmate CRM is another top choice for small businesses, especially if you're focused on analytics and data analysis.Used by over 8,500 organizations worldwide, the Salesmate CRM offers a range of CRM services, but it shines when it comes to data management and analysis. Teams can create their own custom dashboards and take advantage of hundreds of widgets to display information relevant to their projects. It's also possible to implement custom modules to generate reports based on business datasets.You have three tiers to choose from: Basic, Pro, and Business. Though the Basic plan ($23/seat/month) comes with features such as deal pipeline management, email sync, and contact management, the Pro plan is a better choice for emerging businesses. It's more expensive, at $39/seat/month, but you'll have access to quotes management; tickets; team inboxes and management functions; and custom dashboards.The Business plan, priced at $63/user/month, offers advanced features such as service level agreement creation, SSO, and advanced goal management.Salesmate CRM customers like the platform for small and medium-sized businesses, but some say formatting functions could be improved.Salesmate CRM features:Advanced analytics | Team management| Third-party integrations| Mobile support | Sales, marketing automation | Sandy AI | Free trial Pros Advanced analytics Goal management Cons Limited customer feedback Learning curve Salesmate CRM is another top choice for small businesses, especially if you're focused on analytics and data analysis.Used by over 8,500 organizations worldwide, the Salesmate CRM offers a range of CRM services, but it shines when it comes to data management and analysis. Teams can create their own custom dashboards and take advantage of hundreds of widgets to display information relevant to their projects. It's also possible to implement custom modules to generate reports based on business datasets.You have three tiers to choose from: Basic, Pro, and Business. Though the Basic plan ($23/seat/month) comes with features such as deal pipeline management, email sync, and contact management, the Pro plan is a better choice for emerging businesses. It's more expensive, at $39/seat/month, but you'll have access to quotes management; tickets; team inboxes and management functions; and custom dashboards.The Business plan, priced at $63/user/month, offers advanced features such as service level agreement creation, SSO, and advanced goal management.Salesmate CRM customers like the platform for small and medium-sized businesses, but some say formatting functions could be improved.Salesmate CRM features:Advanced analytics | Team management| Third-party integrations| Mobile support | Sales, marketing automation | Sandy AI | Free trial Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best small-business CRM software? While you're deciding on the right CRM for your business, you might want to focus on the cost, third-party integrations, or other features. To help you choose, we've listed some of the most important factors:Small-business CRM providerCostUser-friendly?Third-party integration?AI?HubSpotFree; $15/user/month+YesYesYes, Breeze Copilot, on some plansZoho CRMFree; $14/user/month+Learning curveYesYes, Zia, on some plansMonday.comFree; $12/user/month+YesYes, custom appsYes, credits, on some plansLess Annoying CRMFree; $15/user/month+YesYesThird-party integrationSalesmate CRM$23/user/month+Learning curveYesSandy AI (Pro plan+) Show more Which is the right small-business CRM software for you? Choose this CRM software for small businesses...If you want or need...HubSpotThe best small-business CRM software overall. You can learn the basics with a free plan before exploring sales, customer support tools, reporting, and more.Zoho CRMA CRM with a focus on sales. Zoho provides a vast suite of tools to improve customer experiences and outcomes.Monday.comA CRM for workflow management. You can use this CRM to easily (or automatically) assign employee tasks and boost workforce productivity.Less Annoying CRMA fixed-fee CRM for daily tasks. At $15/month/user, Less Annoying CRM is perfect for teams of 10 or fewer for sales and employee management.Salesmate CRMA data analyticsfocused CRM. If you want data insights and detailed reporting, Salesmate CRM could be your best option. Show more How did I choose these providers of small-business CRM software? Choosing the right CRM software provider can be a challenging prospect for small businesses, and an investment of time and money. So while deciding on the best CRM software providers of 2025 for SMBs, I looked at the following factors:Usability: It's important for small businesses that may be new to the world of CRM or may previously have relied only on limited, free options, that their next investment has a clean, uncluttered interface and isn't too complicated to learn.Scalability: It's also crucial that CRM providers allow small businesses to scale up their CRM over time to meet changing needs and demands. Therefore, each option on our recommended list is scalable.Customization: It's useful if CRM solutions allow for a high level of customization. It might not be that important for small businesses at the start, but it's still a feature I want to see.Features: Speaking of features, modern CRM providers must also have an extensive portfolio of features and services. These may include analytics, mobile app support, automation, and orchestration tools.Support: When setting up a new business, or when you're on the way to expansion, investing in new tools can be daunting. It's important that CRM providers have a range of channels customers can use for support.Customer experiences: I've extensively researched the customer experiences and feedback associated with each of the CRM software providers I recommend for small businesses.Cost: Small businesses often need to maintain a tight leash on their spending, at least in the first few years. Though CRM software can be a valuable tool for growth, it must also be an investment that represents good value for money, and so I've included a range of solutions suitable for different budgets. Show more Small-business CRM software FAQs Is CRM worth it for small businesses? The answer is typically yes.CRM software can help kickstart business growth by centralizing and organizing sales leads, marketing, analytics, and customer communications. When your business is growing, you'll want to focus on promoting that growth in a sustainable way, and CRM is not only invaluable in managing leads but can also be used to automate otherwise time-consuming processes.However, if you're just starting out and you're new to CRM software, you might want to opt for a free or budget-friendly option to begin with, and then scale up over time. Show more What is the best free CRM software for small businesses? There are plenty of excellent free CRM options out there, though you should manage expectations and accept certain limitations. Some of the best free CRM solutions to consider are HubSpot CRM and Zoho CRM. Show more Is QuickBooks a CRM? No, QuickBooks isn't customer relationship management software. QuickBooks is used by countless organizations worldwide, but for a very different purpose: It's accounting software that your tax manager or accountant will be thankful you use. You can, however, integrate QuickBooks with a variety of dedicated CRM platforms. Show more Does Google have a CRM? Google doesn't have a native CRM platform, but the company does provide valuable business tools used by countless organizations across the globe. The Google Workspace suite includes productivity-boosting apps and collaborative tools including Docs and Sheets, and many software solutions provided by CRM vendors are integrable. You can check out the Google Marketplace to research sales and CRM apps. Show more Other CRM software worth consideringLooking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites withZDNET Recommends. Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

If you're starting a business or want to showcase your work to prospective clients, you need a website. Thankfully, you don't need to know how to code to launch a professional-looking site on your own. A good website builder guides you through the process of designing and publishing everything from a blog or portfolio to a full online store.What's the best website builder right now?At ZDNET, we've tested a wide range of website builders to find the best options for different needs and business types. Wix is our top pick for most users, with plenty of options to customize your design; integrate apps and media; and build out marketing and e-commerce tools to promote and sell goods and services. Squarespace is a close competitor for users who value good design, and Shopify can't be beat if you have a large online store. Sort by All The best website builders of 2025 Show less View now at Wix Wix is a widely used and highly popular website builder, and with good reason: The platform is flexible, with lots of design options and features. You can get started with Wix for free, though your website will have a Wix-branded subdomain and Wix ads. The $17-per-month Light plan comes with 2GB of storage space, a free custom domain for one year, and limited marketing tools -- an option for freelancers or business owners who don't sell products or services online, though this certainly isn't the cheapest choice if you aren't bringing in revenue. The Core plan ($29 per month, billed annually) adds e-commerce and online payment features, while the Business ($36 per month) and Business Elite ($159 per month) tiers come with more robust e-commerce, marketing, and storage features.Also: How to set up Bitwarden for personal and work use - and why you should keep them separateIn testing, I used the AI chat assistant to generate design elements, themes, and text by answering a few questions about my business and services. The content and visuals were lackluster, but this feature may be useful if you don't know where to start or want to get your site up quickly. Wix has more than 900 templates if you want to design your website manually, and it's easy to add, drag, drop, and delete page elements and hundreds of embedded apps as well as upload your own media. Alternatively, you can book design and development services through Wix Professionals. One downside: You can't change templates once you've started your design. Instead, you'll have to create a new site.Wix guarantees 99.99% uptime and has caching on by default for faster loading. Wix sites also include SSL certificates and use HTTPS. Finally, Wix offers 24/7 customer support in English via phone and chatbot.Wix features:900+ templates| SSl certification| Google Workspace integration| Wix Professional design services| 24/7 customer support| 14-day money-back guarantee Security 8 Features 8 Price 6 Pros Free and paid plans Extensive library of templates and apps Cons Can't change templates without building a new site Limited storage on lower tiers Wix Best website builder overall 3.8 / 5 Score Wix is a widely used and highly popular website builder, and with good reason: The platform is flexible, with lots of design options and features. You can get started with Wix for free, though your website will have a Wix-branded subdomain and Wix ads. The $17-per-month Light plan comes with 2GB of storage space, a free custom domain for one year, and limited marketing tools -- an option for freelancers or business owners who don't sell products or services online, though this certainly isn't the cheapest choice if you aren't bringing in revenue. The Core plan ($29 per month, billed annually) adds e-commerce and online payment features, while the Business ($36 per month) and Business Elite ($159 per month) tiers come with more robust e-commerce, marketing, and storage features.Also: How to set up Bitwarden for personal and work use - and why you should keep them separateIn testing, I used the AI chat assistant to generate design elements, themes, and text by answering a few questions about my business and services. The content and visuals were lackluster, but this feature may be useful if you don't know where to start or want to get your site up quickly. Wix has more than 900 templates if you want to design your website manually, and it's easy to add, drag, drop, and delete page elements and hundreds of embedded apps as well as upload your own media. Alternatively, you can book design and development services through Wix Professionals. One downside: You can't change templates once you've started your design. Instead, you'll have to create a new site.Wix guarantees 99.99% uptime and has caching on by default for faster loading. Wix sites also include SSL certificates and use HTTPS. Finally, Wix offers 24/7 customer support in English via phone and chatbot.Wix features:900+ templates| SSl certification| Google Workspace integration| Wix Professional design services| 24/7 customer support| 14-day money-back guarantee Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Squarespace Squarespace runs a very close second behind Wix -- it's an excellent choice for building beautiful websites for everyone from freelancers who need a portfolio to small businesses selling products and services. Squarespace plans start at $16 per month, billed annually, which includes a custom domain for one year and basic e-commerce and payment features. Higher tiers -- Core ($23 per month), Plus ($39 per month), and Advanced ($99 per month) -- come with more e-commerce functionality and progressively lower payment processing and transaction fees, as well as a year of Google Workspace. All tiers have unlimited bandwidth and storage. There's no free plan, but Squarespace does offer a 14-day trial period.Also: Why I use virtual cards for online purchases - and you should tooIn testing, I used Squarespace AI for the initial site design and to generate and refine text. The tool is more collaborative than a chatbot, which led to a more visually appealing site than what I got with Wix's AI builder. It was also easier to add and edit page elements and text. If you create your site manually, Squarespace has fewer templates than some other site builders, but this makes the choice less overwhelming. Plus, you can change templates anytime without starting your site from scratch. Overall, Squarespace's interface is clean and easy to navigate and produces a beautifully designed website.In terms of performance and security, Squarespace has 99.9% uptime and page caching, and your site includes an SSL certificate and HIPAA-compliant scheduling via Acuity if needed. Squarespace doesn't have phone support, but you can connect with customer service 24/7 via email and chat (only live during specific hours).Squarespace features:SSL certificate| HIPPA-compliant scheduling with Acuity| AI site builder| Squarespace Design services| 14-day free trial Pros Visually stunning designs E-commerce payment features on all plans Unlimited bandwidth and storage on all plans Cons No phone support; limited live chat hours No completely free tier Squarespace runs a very close second behind Wix -- it's an excellent choice for building beautiful websites for everyone from freelancers who need a portfolio to small businesses selling products and services. Squarespace plans start at $16 per month, billed annually, which includes a custom domain for one year and basic e-commerce and payment features. Higher tiers -- Core ($23 per month), Plus ($39 per month), and Advanced ($99 per month) -- come with more e-commerce functionality and progressively lower payment processing and transaction fees, as well as a year of Google Workspace. All tiers have unlimited bandwidth and storage. There's no free plan, but Squarespace does offer a 14-day trial period.Also: Why I use virtual cards for online purchases - and you should tooIn testing, I used Squarespace AI for the initial site design and to generate and refine text. The tool is more collaborative than a chatbot, which led to a more visually appealing site than what I got with Wix's AI builder. It was also easier to add and edit page elements and text. If you create your site manually, Squarespace has fewer templates than some other site builders, but this makes the choice less overwhelming. Plus, you can change templates anytime without starting your site from scratch. Overall, Squarespace's interface is clean and easy to navigate and produces a beautifully designed website.In terms of performance and security, Squarespace has 99.9% uptime and page caching, and your site includes an SSL certificate and HIPAA-compliant scheduling via Acuity if needed. Squarespace doesn't have phone support, but you can connect with customer service 24/7 via email and chat (only live during specific hours).Squarespace features:SSL certificate| HIPPA-compliant scheduling with Acuity| AI site builder| Squarespace Design services| 14-day free trial Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Shopify If you have a business with product inventory or that sells goods and services, Shopify should be on your radar. The platform makes it easy to build a digital storefront for customers, whether they're buying in person, online, or via social or digital marketplaces. Shopify plans start at $29 per month, billed annually, with additional tiers at $79 and $299 per month. A more expensive plan comes with lower processing fees, greater shipping discounts, and additional staff accounts, so if you have a higher sales volume and more inventory, the savings could easily offset the increased annual fee. There's also a $5-per-month Starter subscription for users who sell products via social, such as Instagram or WhatsApp. Shopify doesn't have a fully free tier, but it does offer a three-day free trial followed by one month for $1, so you can try it out before you commit.Also: If you want your Amazon affiliate links to count, don't do thisShopify's website builder isn't as intuitive to use or as easy to customize as some other platforms, and though there are nearly 240 themes to choose from, only a handful are free. There is a guided setup wizard for adding products, designing your storefront, and setting up payments and shipping, as well as basic AI tools for generating text and media for your site. If you need additional support to get up and running, you can hire a professional through Shopify's partner directory. All plans have unlimited bandwidth and storage, page caching, and an SSL certificate, as well as robust marketing and e-commerce features for both in-person and online sales, such as inventory tracking, point of sale, abandoned cart recovery, and email marketing. Shopify promises 99.99% uptime and 24/7 customer support via live chat if any issues arise.Shopify features:SSL certificate| 99.99% uptime| Basic AI tools| 24/7 customer chat support| Three-day free trial Pros Robust e-commerce features on all plans Significant shopping discounts Email marketing tools Cons Not as intuitive as other platforms If you have a business with product inventory or that sells goods and services, Shopify should be on your radar. The platform makes it easy to build a digital storefront for customers, whether they're buying in person, online, or via social or digital marketplaces. Shopify plans start at $29 per month, billed annually, with additional tiers at $79 and $299 per month. A more expensive plan comes with lower processing fees, greater shipping discounts, and additional staff accounts, so if you have a higher sales volume and more inventory, the savings could easily offset the increased annual fee. There's also a $5-per-month Starter subscription for users who sell products via social, such as Instagram or WhatsApp. Shopify doesn't have a fully free tier, but it does offer a three-day free trial followed by one month for $1, so you can try it out before you commit.Also: If you want your Amazon affiliate links to count, don't do thisShopify's website builder isn't as intuitive to use or as easy to customize as some other platforms, and though there are nearly 240 themes to choose from, only a handful are free. There is a guided setup wizard for adding products, designing your storefront, and setting up payments and shipping, as well as basic AI tools for generating text and media for your site. If you need additional support to get up and running, you can hire a professional through Shopify's partner directory. All plans have unlimited bandwidth and storage, page caching, and an SSL certificate, as well as robust marketing and e-commerce features for both in-person and online sales, such as inventory tracking, point of sale, abandoned cart recovery, and email marketing. Shopify promises 99.99% uptime and 24/7 customer support via live chat if any issues arise.Shopify features:SSL certificate| 99.99% uptime| Basic AI tools| 24/7 customer chat support| Three-day free trial Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Weebly Weebly and Square Online are two related alternatives for business owners looking for a no-cost (or low-cost) website builder with e-commerce and marketing features. Weebly was acquired in 2018 by Square, the payment processor, and free plan users can sell an unlimited number of items via secure online checkout, with additional features like in-store pickup and inventory management as well as email and chat support.Confusingly, signing up with Weebly actually requires you to create a Square account, and you'll be routed to the Square website builder. If you previously had a Weebly site, you can still use the Weebly editor, but new users will default to the Square interface. Alternatively, you can sign up for Square Online's free plan, which will get you to a similar endpoint. Note that there are very limited template and customization options available for free sites via either account type.Weebly's free tier does have a few other important limitations: You get just 500MB of storage and can't connect to or add a custom domain. For that, you'll need to upgrade to the $10-per-month Personal plan. Your site will also show Square ads unless you have a Professional or Performance subscription ($12 or $26 per month, respectively). On the Square Online side, the free plan doesn't appear to have any storage limits, but the $29-per-month Plus plan and $79-per-month Premium plan come with a lot more features.Weebly/Square online features:Custom domains on paid plans| SSL certificate| Chat and email customer support Pros Free tier with e-commerce features Square integration Cons Limited design themes Low storage on free Weebly plan Weebly and Square Online are two related alternatives for business owners looking for a no-cost (or low-cost) website builder with e-commerce and marketing features. Weebly was acquired in 2018 by Square, the payment processor, and free plan users can sell an unlimited number of items via secure online checkout, with additional features like in-store pickup and inventory management as well as email and chat support.Confusingly, signing up with Weebly actually requires you to create a Square account, and you'll be routed to the Square website builder. If you previously had a Weebly site, you can still use the Weebly editor, but new users will default to the Square interface. Alternatively, you can sign up for Square Online's free plan, which will get you to a similar endpoint. Note that there are very limited template and customization options available for free sites via either account type.Weebly's free tier does have a few other important limitations: You get just 500MB of storage and can't connect to or add a custom domain. For that, you'll need to upgrade to the $10-per-month Personal plan. Your site will also show Square ads unless you have a Professional or Performance subscription ($12 or $26 per month, respectively). On the Square Online side, the free plan doesn't appear to have any storage limits, but the $29-per-month Plus plan and $79-per-month Premium plan come with a lot more features.Weebly/Square online features:Custom domains on paid plans| SSL certificate| Chat and email customer support Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at GoDaddy GoDaddy is known for its domain registration and hosting services, but its website builder is also worthy of consideration -- especially if you've never made a website before. You can get started for free with a GoDaddy subdomain, or you can upgrade to the $10-per-month (billed annually) Basic plan to get a custom domain and basic email marketing. The Premium plan, priced at $15 per month, comes with the ability to accept online payments and appointment booking as well as email marketing features, or you can choose the Commerce plan ($21 per month) for GoDaddy's full e-commerce suite. GoDaddy offers a seven-day free trial of its premium features, and you don't lose your work if you let the trial expire before upgrading to a paid tier.Review:GoDaddyGetting the basics of your website in place is easy with GoDaddy Airo, the platform's AI tool. From there, you can go through a guided setup wizard to get oriented to the interface. Though there aren't as many template or customization options as you get with some other website builders, it's easy to add and edit on-page elements either manually or with AI support. GoDaddy also has design, SEO, and marketing services for hire.GoDaddy promises 99.9% uptime, and you get 24/7 access to customer support via phone, text, and chat, a potential selling point for new users.GoDaddy features:99.9% uptime| SSL certificate| AI site builder| 24/7 customer support| Seven-day free trial Security 8 Features 8 Price 8 Pros Free tier and budget-friendly paid plans Easy-to-navigate user interface Comprehensive customer support Cons E-commerce available only on the most expensive plan GoDaddy Best website builder for beginners 3.9 / 5 Score GoDaddy is known for its domain registration and hosting services, but its website builder is also worthy of consideration -- especially if you've never made a website before. You can get started for free with a GoDaddy subdomain, or you can upgrade to the $10-per-month (billed annually) Basic plan to get a custom domain and basic email marketing. The Premium plan, priced at $15 per month, comes with the ability to accept online payments and appointment booking as well as email marketing features, or you can choose the Commerce plan ($21 per month) for GoDaddy's full e-commerce suite. GoDaddy offers a seven-day free trial of its premium features, and you don't lose your work if you let the trial expire before upgrading to a paid tier.Review:GoDaddyGetting the basics of your website in place is easy with GoDaddy Airo, the platform's AI tool. From there, you can go through a guided setup wizard to get oriented to the interface. Though there aren't as many template or customization options as you get with some other website builders, it's easy to add and edit on-page elements either manually or with AI support. GoDaddy also has design, SEO, and marketing services for hire.GoDaddy promises 99.9% uptime, and you get 24/7 access to customer support via phone, text, and chat, a potential selling point for new users.GoDaddy features:99.9% uptime| SSL certificate| AI site builder| 24/7 customer support| Seven-day free trial Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best web builder? Wix is our top pick for building a website, with its extensive options for customization, user-friendly platform, and phone support. Here's how the best website builders compare:Website builderFree plan?Free trial?Cost per month (first year, billed annually)Customer supportKey featureWixx (14-day money-back guarantee)$17$15924/7 phone + chatTemplate and customization optionsSquarespacex14 days$16$9924/7 email + chatCollaborative AI builderShopifyx3 days$29$29924/7 chatDiscounted payment processing and shipping feesWeebly/Square Online14 days$10$79Chat + emailSquare integrationGoDaddy7 days$10$2124/7 phone, text, chatCustomer support Show more Which is the right website builder for you? Choose this website builderIf you wantWixAn all-around solid website builder with a range of price points and customization options.SquarespaceA design-forward website builder for showcasing portfolios and blogs.ShopifyA platform with robust e-commerce and marketing tools for your online shop.Weebly/Square OnlineA free option for selling products and services with Square integration.GoDaddyA beginner- and budget-friendly website builder. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a website builder When selecting a website builder, you'll first want to determine the purpose of your website. An online store with hundreds of physical products in inventory will need a different solution than a freelance design portfolio or blog. You may also consider the following factors:Pricing: You can build a website for free if you don't mind some limitations (like a branded subdomain), but premium plans are available at a range of price points depending on functionality and features.Features: Basic website builder plans allow you to put together a simple website to showcase your business or your work, while others come with more robust e-commerce and marketing features to reach customers and drive sales.Design: Some website builders have hundreds of templates and apps to customize your site and set it apart, while others have more limited options. If you aren't sure what you want your site to look like or need to get it up and running quickly, consider platforms with good AI tools.Customer support: If your website is your business, you'll want quick access to customer support when you need it in the event anything goes wrong (or you need help with setup or maintenance questions). Show more How we test website builders To find the best website builders, we identified the tools and services available and compared their features, costs, and overall experience as well as user feedback. We also conducted hands-on testing to determine ease of use. Show more FAQs on website builders What's the average cost of building a website? The cost of building a website varies widely based on the features and customization included in your plan. There are a handful of website builders available for free, though you'll typically be limited to a subdomain address and visible branding. E-commerce and marketing tools may require an upgrade to a more expensive plan. The basic plans for our top website builders range from $3 to $29 per month for the first year (and may increase upon renewal). Of course, you'll pay even more if you hire an agency for design and development. Show more Should I use a website builder? A website builder is a relatively quick and cost-effective way to get your website up and running. Website builders allow you to create professional pages without paying for custom design and development or needing to learn how to code. Some website builders offer more robust e-commerce and marketing integration and AI tools as well as design, development, and optimization support for an additional fee. Show more What's the most beginner-friendly website builder? GoDaddy is our pick for beginners, thanks to its clean and easy-to-navigate interface, helpful AI tools, competitive pricing, and 24/7 customer support options. Plus, you can get started with GoDaddy for free. Show more Are there alternative website builders worth considering? If none of our recommendations are quite what you're looking for, there are a number of other website builders to check out: Show more Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

No matter how grown-up we are, arguments with parents can make us feel like a child again. Here are four reasons why we unconsciously step back into our childhood roles.

WTF?! Even as generative AI becomes more widespread, the systems remain prone to hallucinations. Advising people to put glue on pizza and eat rocks is one thing, but ChatGPT falsely telling a man he had spent 21 years in prison for killing his two sons is a lot more serious. Norwegian national Arve Hjalmar Holmen contacted the Norwegian Data Protection Authority after he decided to see what ChatGPT knew about him.The chatbot responded in its usual confident manner, falsely stating that Holmen had murdered two of his sons and attempted to kill his third son. It added that he was sentenced to 21 years in prison for these fake crimes.While the story was entirely fabricated, there were elements of Holmen's life that ChatGPT got right, including the number and gender of his children, their approximate ages, and the name of his hometown, making the false claims about murder all the more sinister.Holmen says he has never been accused nor convicted of any crime and is a conscientious citizen.Holmen contacted privacy rights group Noyb about the hallucination. It carried out research to ensure ChatGPT wasn't getting Holmen mixed up with someone else, possibly with a similar name. The group also checked newspaper archives, but there was nothing obvious to suggest why the chatbot was making up this gruesome tale. // Related StoriesChatGPT's LLM has since been updated, so it no longer repeats the story when asked about Holmen. But Noyb, which has clashed with OpenAI in the past over ChatGPT providing false information about people, still filed a complaint with the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, Datatilsynet.According to the complaint, OpenAI violated GDPR rules that state companies processing personal data must ensure it is accurate. If these details aren't accurate, it must be corrected or deleted. However, Noyb argues that as ChatGPT feeds user data back into the system for training purposes, there is no way to be certain the incorrect data has been completely removed from the LLM's dataset.Noyb also claims that ChatGPT does not comply with Article 15 of GDPR, which means there is no guarantee that you can recall or see every piece of data about an individual that has been fed into a dataset. "This fact understandably still causes distress and fear for the complainant, [Holmen]," wrote Noyb.Noyb is asking the Datatilsynet to order OpenAI to delete the defamatory data about Holmen and fine-tune its model to eliminate inaccurate results about individuals, which would be no simple task.Right now, OpenAI's method of covering its back in these situations is limited to a tiny disclaimer at the bottom of ChatGPT's page that states, "ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info," like whether someone is a double murderer.

Love crossword puzzles but dont have all day to sit and solve a full-sized puzzle in your daily newspaper? Thats what The Mini is for!A bite-sized version of the New York Times well-known crossword puzzle, The Mini is a quick and easy way to test your crossword skills daily in a lot less time (the average puzzle takes most players just over a minute to solve). While The Mini is smaller and simpler than a normal crossword, it isnt always easy. Tripping up on one clue can be the difference between a personal best completion time and an embarrassing solve attempt.Recommended VideosJust like ourWordle hints and Connections hints, were here to help with The Mini today if youre stuck and need a little help.Please enable Javascript to view this contentBelow are the answers for the NYT Mini crossword today.New York TimesAcrossAnd stuff like that: Abbr. ETCHooray! WAHOO ARROWThings counted by some smartwatches STEPS___ So Fine, subject of the famous plagiarism case against My Sweet Lord HESDownWhat you might come down to after having your head in the clouds EARTHWith the circled letters, a literal depiction of what you need to win tic-tac-toe? THREEChicken dwellings COOPSIs no longer WASCries of pain OWSEditors Recommendations