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Posts Tagged ‘small business’
Sunday, January 15th, 2012
What’s the biggest threat to many small businesses in 2012? Most small business owners would probably point at their competitors. Others may point to the changes made to search algorithms and the effect it may have on their search rankings. Whilst these are threats that need to be dealt with, the biggest threat could come from hackers.
There has been a gradual shift in fraudulent activity in recent years with hackers slowly switching their focus away from big businesses and on to small businesses. Big business has the time, money and resources to guard against any hack attempts on their data. Small business has neither the time nor money, and in many cases, the know-how, to protect their data. This makes them easy targets for hackers looking for the personal details of customers, particularly credit card data.
Data protection is an area that small businesses will need to deal with in 2012. Any breaches could leave a business wide open to legal proceedings from customers, and we are talking about group claims here, not just one off claims. Protection of data needn’t be a costly exercise. You do need a very secure website, particularly when it comes to securing your data. This will be one area where the cost of protection for your site could outweigh the risks associated with an unprotected website.
A professional website development team can help to ensure your website is safe from hacking. The cost would be minute compared to the cost of a successful group law suit against either yourself or your business. Is your data safe? Could someone hack your website and then proceed to download all the personal details of your customers. If you’re not full protected, talk to a professional webstite development team.
Tags: online fraud, small business, website development, website security
Posted in website development | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012
If you are one of many people out of work and have been out of work for a while, take the initiative and start a small business. It is not as hare-brained as some may think. One, the United States needs more businesses and you need to go to work. Think about the skills you have and utilize them to start your own business.
New business start ups have been steadily declining for several reasons. However, the country needs new business as that is how this country was started, by entrepreneurship and hard work.
Even if it is not your skills, but maybe something in your area that needs a certain product. For instance, if you live in an area that does not have specialty furniture, like rustic furniture. If you know that there are enough people in the surrounding area that would purchase from your store, go for it. It could be any number of things that might be easy start up businesses in your community.
Options for financing include visiting with lenders in your area or applying for a small business loan through the small business administration. They have a number of resources available and can help those wishing to start a new business.
Another consideration is starting your business from home. If it is possible, it will save you thousands of dollars in start up costs alone.
There are a thousand ways you can start your own business. It also beats sitting around waiting for that job interview to call. Take the initiative and be your own salvation. Once you get the business going, you will be glad that you started it.
Tags: Branding, business, local business, small business
Posted in Tools for Small Business | 5 Comments »
Monday, January 2nd, 2012
If you look at several websites, you will see different links that will take you to related content. This is a great way to pull your website into the related content. How do you do it? It’s actually quite simple and you will be amazed at why you have not used links more.
There are a lot of different techniques but the main one is using document sharing sites. On document sharing sites like Scribd, you can upload your documents into a pdf file. They can then be distributed all over the Internet. Create links in the document back to your website. This increases your chances of getting found in the search engines.
At the same time, you can also search for relevant content to add to your website. This is a great way of sharing information and using various ways of getting back to your site.
It’s also important to link to previous content within your own website. You may have written an article or something a couple of years ago. But it is still relevant and will get readers to read that as will.
Link building or link marketing has been around for a while but it is still a very resourceful tool for your online business. You can always visit with consultants to find out which link building technique or sites that are best suited to your needs.
One thing to remember, where you get back links is more important than what you do. Be sure to use multiple sources to get the best exposure.
Tags: content, internet marketing, link building, links, online marketing, small business
Posted in Small Business Internet Marketing | 5 Comments »
Saturday, December 31st, 2011
For small businesses, making more sales is what keeps your doors open. We have talked about a lot of ways to boost your business and get your name out there. It’s been mentioned a couple of times, but mailing lists are one of the most important marketing tools you will have.
It’s important to keep mailing lists up to date with current postal addresses and email addresses. You may only use this list to send out newsletters or flyers every once in a while.
Think about ramping up your mailing list by adding new customers to the list and using it for more than a newsletter. You could make several templates of how-to tips, products, or did-you-know facts. Whatever your business is, use that business for all kinds of ideas you can use in a mailing list.
Most regular customers will expect your mailings as they are used to getting them, but new customers like the feeling of a welcome letter maybe coupled with a discount coupon in appreciation of their business. It makes them feel like you value them, which you do. You just need to do something to reinforce that feeling.
The single most important thing you can do in building a business is to build customer confidence in you and they will come back. Customer loyalty goes a long way in making a business a success. Mailing lists help you do that. You may not see a regular customer but once every month or so. Let them know about special sales that they might be missing in between their visits.
Think about your mailing list. Clean up any discrepancies and ramp it up for the coming year and you will be surprised at how much it will help you and your business.
For ideas or help with setting up mailing lists, visit a small business consultant who can get you on the right track.
Tags: advertising, business, e-mail marketing, internet marketing, small business
Posted in Tools for Small Business | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, December 28th, 2011
Due to the current job market crisis, more people are working from home than ever before. There are a lot of opportunities to work from home or to work for someone else from home. Whatever you choose, you will still have a small business working from home. What have others found out about balancing home life with your job sitting on the kitchen table?
Anyone can have a small business out of your home. Once you have the basic business set up out of the way, you then need to consider to balance the two. A small business still needs to operate as a small business and family still needs to be family.
Be sure to set yourself boundaries. It is very easy to get lost in your work on the computer or the phone. But, don’t lose sight that it’s still a job. You need to make a schedule for the business. This way you still have your home life.
For example, let’s say you want to work your business from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Then, set an alarm that will remind you when 2 p.m. rolls around. No matter what, stop as soon as you can, close up shop and return to your “home,” even though you are still in your home.
It needs to be just like a regular job. When your time is up, you go home. You also need to make sure you take breaks to stretch your legs and back and to just step away from the computer for a few minutes.
And, remember, don’t feel guilty. Rest assured, the emails, the voice mails and any other related work tasks will still be there the next morning when you return to “work”.
You too can be successful operating a small business out of your home. Look at it this way, you will have the freedom to be your own boss, have your own business and still make money.
Tags: business, search engine optimization, small business
Posted in Tools for Small Business | 5 Comments »
Tuesday, December 27th, 2011
You have your brand new website up and running. It looks fantastic and you have a lot of great products listed along with article or blogging content. Are you wondering what else you could do to enhance your website?
Consider doing various videos or podcasts about you, your business, what your products are and other ways. The general online public loves short podcasts on just about anything.
For instance, maybe your website business is providing a service. Whatever the service is, you could have short videos on tips and tricks of the trade to help someone do something instead of always hiring to have it done.
You can also have a how-to section for people who like to have do-it-yourself projects. Look at it as giving away freebies. Everyone loves freebies and if you give your customers something, they will be sure to give back by purchasing something from your website.
It’s also a great way for SEO. Podcasts and YouTube videos will get you moved up in the search rankings faster than without them, thats for sure.
If you are not sure how to go about making videos, there are a lot of self-help videos online. See there! You are even using them now! A world of information is right at your fingertips so why not use it to optimize your business presence on the internet.
With a new year upon us, now is the perfect time to try something new. You will be surprised at how effective videos are on your marketing campaign. You can even attach them to your marketing emails for an even bigger response.
Tags: advertising, google, online marketing, small business, YouTube
Posted in Video Marketing | 2 Comments »
Monday, December 26th, 2011
The year 2012 is going to be a good year! A positive outlook goes a long way in making your small business grow. The coming year will be new; it’s time for a new look and a new way of doing things.
The first thing to consider is employees. If you have employees and you are growing, think about if and how many new employees you need. Figure out a new budget which includes employees and any upgrades or repairs that need to be done.
It’s also an excellent time to make a new marketing plan, some fine tuning to your website and possibly new business cards. Consider how you want to advertise your business such as online, radio, television, newspapers and the simple newsletters or e-letters.
New technological advances need to be considered as well. Implement a plan for texting, email campaigns, phone apps or video chat. There are now so many ways to stay in contact with clients, suppliers or employees. These new ideas are just the ticket to jump start your small business right into 2012.
Since you are now thinking of all kinds of things you can do or start in the coming year, be sure to organize your files and get tax information ready. That dreaded time of the year is not far off. At the same time, clean up all the old email addresses you keep telling yourself you need to update. Even if it is winter, get the mind set for spring cleaning.
And don’t forget to add social media to your new marketing plan. It’s such a simple and free way to get your business noticed and out to the public, using social media. Word of mouth goes a long, long way in bringing in business.
Tags: advertising, business, e-mail marketing, facebook, internet marketing, small business
Posted in Tools for Small Business | 1 Comment »
Friday, December 23rd, 2011
With the economy and the job market in the shape that they’re in, more and more people are learning to start their own small work from home business. The work from home business has been growing by leaps and bounds. No longer is it just about selling candles or crafts online. Many top businesses are hiring people to telecommute and others are building a business based on their expertise.
Many companies are now hiring contractors to work from home. That includes secretarial positions, writing jobs and email support specialists. In addition, computer website design, management and troubleshooting positions are available.
Instead of worrying where your next job is, take the initiative and start building your small business on the Internet. Start a website to market your expertise and start looking at job boards for available positions that are needing just what you have to offer. It may be slow going at first but many people are now earning a decent income simply by trying something new and becoming a success at it.
As with any job, there are good ones and bad ones. But, there are truly legitimate positions to be found on the Internet. A good rule of thumb is that if a website expects you to pay something up front, then it’s probably not going to be financially successful for you.
Build your website and brand. Use the social media to get your message and availability out there. Also, check out sites such as Odesk.com, Indeed.com and many others. Many are free to sign up for and search for available positions. Once you build your brand and name recognition, the days of worrying about a “job” will become distant.
Keep in mind that the pay structure is a little bit different working on the Internet, but when you compare the money saved by not driving to a job, money for meals, fuel and upkeep on your vehicle, you will basically be making the same as a traditional job. Check out the Internet today and look for something that you are good at. It beats sitting around worrying. You will at least know you are trying.
Tags: Branding, small business, Social Media, telecommuting, website development, work from home
Posted in Small Business Internet Marketing | 18 Comments »
Monday, December 19th, 2011
It’s in the shoppers’ hands this holiday season to help the economy. As the holidays fast approach so too does the end of the year. The Federal Reserve is stating that spending is on a slight rise because of the holiday season, which is good news, even if it is small.
Overall though, wages have fallen, therefore net worth is less as well. The big question is, what’s being spent on holiday gifts is affordable or are people just using their savings in order to even have a Christmas? Is this the lull before the storm?
No one seems to know for sure which way the economy will go for 2012. However, holiday sales have increased this holiday season over last year.
Small businesses should have a great ending to the year as far as sales go. This is just what they need as they move into the new year, increased sales. One thing is certain, times may be shaky at the moment, but consumers are determined to have an enjoyable holiday and are going all out in order to get it.
Now is a very important time to increase your exposure on the internet. Do a quick mass email about any last minute Christmas sales you have. Get those customers coming in the door. Additionally, use your social media like Facebook and Twitter to list any last minute “must haves”. Anything you can do to draw potential customers in the door will help you.
The holidays are not over yet. The end of the year is not here yet. Do what you can to boost those sales so your overall year will be much better than you thought.
Tags: advertising, internet marketing, SEO, small business, Social Media
Posted in Small Business Finance | 3 Comments »
Monday, December 12th, 2011
We have been hearing a lot lately about Facebook. What it means to individuals as well as businesses. Most of us understand basically what Facebook is. It is a way to stay connected with family and friends and to keep current on events in their lives. That is correct. What a lot of us don’t understand is how it will actually help businesses just by staying connected with friends.
In nearly every aspect in our lives we depend on the references or opinions of others that we do trust in order to make informed and responsible decisions. This can be something as simple as where to eat to what companies we will trust our personal information on the internet.
That information is what drives the search engines to small businesses. It’s like the old saying “what goes around, comes around.”
For instance, you are chatting with a family member on Facebook. You may be telling them that you need a new roof replaced. They may have used a company from your area that they were very impressed with themselves. They give you the name, but they don’t have any other information. After you get off Facebook, because you trust that family member, you are going to do a search for that particular company, right? Right. That is just one way Facebooking and Search Engines can work together.
Social Media marketing is only going to grow. Make sure your business stays on track by using social media sites to build your business. Start a fan page. It’s just like word of mouth, but it will be word of friends and family. The family and friends of fans of your page will look at your page. Because they trust their family and friends, they will like your page as well. Your audience will only grow. And getting bigger means more sales for your business.
Tags: advertising, Branding, business, facebook, publicity, search, search engine optimization, small business, Social Media
Posted in Social Media | 3 Comments »
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