Work.com Guide of the Day

Securely Recycling Computers and Electronics

Jeremy Farber — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

As consumers we've become accustomed to the annual obsolesces of our favorite gadgets and have been left with a dilemma, what to do with the old when its time to bring in the new?

Key Comparisons of Linux vs. Windows Servers

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

For someone who is fairly new to web hosting, choosing the platform you are going to use for your server can be a difficult and even mind-boggling decision.

Equipment Leasing Primer

Tom Williams — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Here are some steps every business should consider when applying for equipment leasing or financing.

Cutting Costs for Venture Funded Start-Ups

Stella Kleiman — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Here is a five step action plan for cost cutting and restructuring in a down economy.

Getting an FEIN (aka Tax ID) for your business.

Mike Piper — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

What is an FEIN? An FEIN is a Federal Employer Identification Number, sometimes referred to as a Tax ID. In essence, an FEIN performs the same role for a business that a social security number performs for an individual.

Marketing Your Business On Local Search Sites

Jodi Gaines Pereira — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

If you haven't joined the ranks of local search networks, there is no better time than the present. Costs are typically very low and results are almost immediate. Here are some tips and resources to help market your business on local search sites.

How to Make PPC Advertising Work for You

Alex C — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is an Internet marketing tool that gives you the ability to target your ads at people searching for products and services online. With increasing popularity of Internet marketing and intensifying competition, very few businesses can afford to ignore the use of pay-per-click advertising.

Use Search Engine Optimization to Bolster Your Site Rankings

Alex C — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

When users search for a specific product, service or information on the Internet, the main aim of all businesses is to make sure that their page appears at least on the first page of search results, if not among the first few results.

4 Free Online Market Research Techniques

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Supplement your market research for free.

Keys to Building a Successful Online Community

Marvin Dreyer — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The convenience and ease of the net has eliminated the need for most people to go out. We now do our shopping through the net. We don't need to fall in line in the bank to perform business functions. In some cases, people even work through the World Wide Web.This however doesn't stop us from being social beings.

Create a Camera Alarm system that works

Frank Godschalk — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

I had an alarm system with detectors and alarm central and all that. While feeling better, the alarm still went off for no reason at all.

The Business Value of Twitter

Maxwell Finn — Mon, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Twittering is quickly gaining verb status, just like Googling did several years ago. Once a companies name becomes used in this manner, it should be taken seriously.

The Business Value of Facebook

Maxwell Finn — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Everyone understands the concept of Facebook, but few business professionals understand how their company can capitalize on utilization of the platform. This article will be your step-by-step guide for unlocking the hidden value of Facebook.

Selecting an SEO/SEM Agency

Danielle Leitch — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

It can become a challenging situation for those marketers not familiar with search engine marketing and website optimization to accurately interview and select the best agency to outsource their online advertising and site optimization program.

Five Biggest Google Adwords Mistakes

Mike Seddon — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Are you getting the most out of Google Adwords or are you already doomed? Even before many people write their first ad, they have already made one of the five killer mistakes that spell disaster for their Adwords campaigns.

What it takes to be a successful remote worker

Jill Adams — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

A question that I often receive is what does it take to be a successful remote worker? From what I have uncovered, and from studies conducted, the following are the most identifiable skills one must possess to be a successful remote worker.

Ways to Increase Traffic on your Blog

Sudhir Vashist — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Where do you get readers and subscribers that are so necessary to make your blog a success?

Forwarding Domain Names

Channing Suhl — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Whether you are building a new online business or looking for new ways to drive more traffic to your current Web site, forwarding domain names (also know as web forwarding or redirecting) could be a smart solution.

How To Use Different Twitter Tools

jymsym — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The popularity of Twitter has created lots of new tools to help us all in a variety of different ways. Here is a list of tools with a short explanation of each one:

Contact Center Primer for Small Business

Andy Green — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Low cost IP technology has brought contact centers to even small businesses.

Functional Email Design

Jodi Gaines Pereira — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

You may be viewing this guide with Internet Explorer (5, 6 , 7 or 8), Firefox, Safari, Opera, AOL or Google Chrome. And if you are reading a guide via email, you may be using one of many email clients such as Outlook, Yahoo!, Gmail, AOL, Hotmail, Thunderbird, eMail Manager, etc.

Building Web Presence for Small Businesses

Mirna Bard — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

While browsing through online forums, I noticed one question being asked over and over: I have a small business so why do I need web presence?

Writing a Case Study

Louis DiToro — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Writing a case study has never been easier. Case studies are great lead generation tools. In fact, they're among the best. They also increase visibility, promote awareness, and boost product credibility.

What Works for Business Contest

Daniel Kehrer — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

A challenging economy calls for innovative problem-solving and resourcefulness. And nobody's better at delivering just that than America's small business owners and entrepreneurial thinkers. That's why Business.com has launched the most inventive small business contest yet.

Workplace Safety for Industry

Matthew Kane — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Safe workers are productive workers. Keeping a workplace safe positively effects employees productivity and a business' bottom line. It is crucial in this day and age to keep workers on the job safe from injury whether it be in a plant or on a jobsite.

Driving Leads Back to Your Web Site

Amanda Schwarz — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800

It takes a significant marketing investment - both in time and money - to get potential customers to visit your Web site for the first time. But what happens when that customer visits, then leaves without completing the desired action (a purchase or a registration, for example)? How do you make sure they come back?

Getting a Business Line of Credit

Daniel Kehrer — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

A business line of credit - ready cash anytime you need it - is a marvelous and flexible financial tool to help a small business grow and keep you in control.

Sales Compensation Plans that Work

Daniel Kehrer — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

A great sales team - and the right compensation plan to keep sales people motivated - is critical to helping a business grow and prosper. What's more, competition for top sales people is intense, and having a well-designed sales management program to attract and keep sales talent can spell the difference between success and failure.

Sales Compensation Plans that Work

Daniel Kehrer — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Cutting Costs for Venture Funded Startups

Stella Kleiman — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

In my many years as an executive in Silicon Valley, I've experienced the hard choices that have to be made for companies to survive. I've lived through everything from multiple rounds of lay offs...

Starting a Gift Basket Business

Judy Artunian — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Gifts may be associated with holidays, but that doesn't mean a gift basket business has to be a seasonal. In fact, gift baskets for new babies are the industry's number-one seller. The corporate market can also be counted on for year-round gift-giving.

Starting a Food Business

Evelyn Jacobson — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Whether you're ready to sell your secret barbecue rub or your family's famous brownies, getting into the food manufacturing business isn't easy. Depending on what you want to make and sell, different products like canned food, baked goods or refrigerated products have different regulations.

Starting a Travel-Related Business

Betty W. Stark — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Sometimes all it takes to be bitten by the travel bug is a top-of-the-world experience on a personal vacation. Before you know it, you're telling anyone who'll listen that you love to travel and you've heard that the best (and cheapest) way to do it is to get into the travel business yourself.

Finding and Using a Virtual Office Assistant

Toni Klym McLellan — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Business is booming for virtual office assistants - with good reason. Virtual assistants (VAs) don't have to be in your office. They work from anywhere, providing a range of personalized support that can cost far less than hiring someone to be at your beck and call.

Meeting Workers' Comp Requirements

Chris Caggiano — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Workers' compensation insurance covers employees who are injured or become sick during work activities. Most states require businesses to have coverage. Because each state has different policies and procedures, it's important to investigate requirements in every state in which your employees live, work, or travel.

Landing a Venture Capital Deal

Amy Gesenhues — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Today's VC investors want solid information from the companies they choose to invest in than in the frenzied days of the Internet bubble. And remember that VC firms typically look to cash out in three to five years...

SBA Loans

Irwin Speizer — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

It takes money to start and grow a small business, and one of the best ways to get a loan at an attractive interest rate is through one of the small business loan programs sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Developing New Products and Services

Diane Benson Harrington — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

If your sales force is still stellar but customers are dwindling and new competitors keep cropping up, it's a sure sign you need to bring something new to the table. Follow these steps to introduce new products and/or services, and turn your interesting ideas into a better bottom line.

How to Protect Yourself from Franchise Scams

John Walsh — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Buying a franchise offers a relatively cost-effective and smooth entrance into business ownership; separating viable opportunities from snake-oil salesman is the key to a successful venture.

Putting a Business Plan Into Action

Judith Earley — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Your business plan represents your vision for the future. Effective implementation could mean the difference between an expensive hobby or a thriving business.

Operating A Business Incubator

Christopher Gates — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

A business incubator cannot simply be another rental property. The Canastota Business Center incubator went from mediocrity to success in a couple of years.

Business Plan Basics: A Simple Formula for Highly Successful Startups

svstartup — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

A well-crafted business plan is far more than just a written document - it forms the cornerstone of your business. It can help you grow more effectively, with greater focus and reduced risk. It is also a useful marketing tool for raising capital or recruiting partners, advisors, or key hires.

Buying and Selling a Business

Pete Patel — Thu, 9 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Are you trying to sell your business or perhaps even buy a business?

Evaluating a Small Business for Sale

Elaine Grant — Wed, 8 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Determining the value of a privately held small business for sale is far trickier than figuring out the value of a new home. One reason why: Business owners have every reason to keep profits looking low at tax time and many reasons to inflate the value when it comes time to sell.

Business Brokers

John Fuller — Tue, 7 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Selling a business you've spent years to build or taking the huge risk of buying one will be the most important transaction you will ever make, so many choose to work with business brokers. The broker's fee is typically 5 percent to 10 percent of the purchase price, either paid by the buyer or the seller.

Selecting a Business Legal Structure

John Riddle — Mon, 6 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

When forming a new business, you need to decide on a legal structure. Will you be a sole proprietor - the most common form of business ownership? Or will you form a corporation or some other more complex entity? The structure you ultimately choose greatly affects your business...

Business Banking for Startups

Cherie L. Berkley — Fri, 3 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

A first step to establishing your small business is setting up a business bank account. Many new and part-time small business owners are guilty of using their personal checking account to handle transactions. But that just won't cut it for a variety of reasons and can make tracking money confusing, especially at tax time.

Small Business Sense

Kanika Wilkerson — Thu, 2 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

No one ever said starting a business would be easy, but once you make the decision to start one, it;s all you can think about. The following five simple rules can help you build a solid foundation for success regardless of how big or small your business idea.

Finding and Working with a Business Mentor

Constance Gustke — Wed, 1 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Sometimes, as a business owner, you can feel like you have no one to turn to for help. You can't always approach your employees for help with big decisions - and they're not likely to have the experience to help you find the right answers. What you can do is develop a relationship with a business mentor.

Selecting the Right Startup Technology

Jennifer Mattern — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

There's no getting around it: To run a successful business in the Digital Age, you have to rely on ever-changing technology, from your computers to your phone system.

Clearing Your Head Before Starting Your Business

William Keyser — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Answering your own questions on fundamentals about yourself and your business before you get going, will save you a lot of time and trouble after you open up shop.

Making the Most of a Bad Location

Geoff Kohl — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Some locations seem to be cursed - like the corner where Four Brothers Pizza and Tap tried to make it happen in 1995. By 1998, the four brothers were gone and all that was left were four lawyers trying to straighten up the assets on a failed restaurant.

Overcoming your Fears of Launching a Business

Carmina Perez — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Have you ever had a dream, hobby or just plain crazy idea you wanted to turn into a business? Well you're not alone - some 10 million American adults are involved in the process of starting nearly six million potential new businesses at any given time, according to a national study of entrepreneurship by the Kauffman Foundation.

Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Topher Liddle — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

As an employer, you have a responsibility to maintain a workplace that is free of sexual harassment. Not only is this your legal obligation, it is good business sense.

IT Consulting Business Client Attraction Secrets

Joshua Feinberg — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Owners of IT consulting businesses usually have very valuable technical skills. Yet these same IT consultants often fall short when it comes to business know-how, and specifically how to attract clients. This lack of marketing and sales knowledge can be a huge problem for IT consulting businesses.

10 Ways to Drive Massive Traffic to Your Website

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Targeted traffic is the lifeblood of any successful business. In this article, I'm going to show you how to get laser-targeted traffic in just a few simple steps.

A Compatible E-Commerce Solution for Your SEO Campaign

Scott Buresh — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The most ambitious Internet retailers, hoping to emulate the style and online influence of Amazon.com and other recognized brands, tend to aim for sprawling electronic retail websites that may look pretty but accomplish little else.

Social Media Monitoring

Marianne Hynd — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Earlier this week, United Airlines' stock fell dramatically due to an error in republishing an old article citing United filed for bankruptcy. The bad news, though years old, spread like wildfire along the Internet, temporarily causing the airline's stocks to plummet.

Writing a Successful Business Plan : Steps 6-10

Edward Rogoff — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Starting a business and creating an effective business plan both require a great deal of thought before you set pen to paper or fingers to the computer keyboard. To guide you through this process, I have identified ten Action Steps to consider...Steps 6-10.

Writing a Successful Business Plan : Steps 1-5

Edward Rogoff — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Web content: Writing for usability

Haley Nelson — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

One of the biggest challenges for anybody writing Web content is balancing usability with search engine optimization (SEO) criteria. Part of you wants to write compelling, thought-provoking copy that users will love. The other part wants to fill your content up with keywords, using all the SEO tricks you can think of.

Improve 6 "Marketing Elements" of Your Small Business Website

Ed Taylor — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

As the Internet has become the starting point, and often completion point, for nearly every type of purchase, website marketing elements have become increasingly important, even vital, to the success of many small businesses.

Web 2.0 Recruiting

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Many recruiters are still confused as to what Web 2.0 really is and how they can incorporate it into their recruitment process. Yet once recruiters understand the new Web 2.0 world, they can leverage emerging social media tools and gain a competitive advantage.

Hiring a Ghost Blogger

Greg Brown — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The boom in so-called Web 2.0 technologies, led by easy-to-use Web publishing tools like blogs, has created a bind for executives and business owners. Customers and partners expect them to be front-and-center nearly all the time via the Web. It can turn into a trap, one perhaps best fixed by farming out much of the work.

Finding an Internet Business Idea

Jeff Foster — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Web 2.0 refers to the second generation of Internet-based services - applications that online businesses use and they are revolutionizing the way online business is done.

Application Service Providers (ASPs)

Frances Sharpe — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Buying software and software upgrades for your business can put a serious dent in your budget. So can outsourcing key tasks, such as payroll processing and billing. Thanks to the Web, there's a more affordable alternative that's especially suited to small businesses and startups: application service providers (ASPs).

Choosing the Right Domain Name

Daniel Kehrer — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Welcome to the "new" Internet where something odd has occurred: While registering a domain name is super simple, deciding which one to get and what "extension" to hang it on is more complicated than ever.

5 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Web Design Agency

Todd Daniel — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

For small businesses, having a quality website is a must. But choosing the right design firm can be a tricky proposition. To make the selection process easier, here are the 5 essential questions to ask designers in order to fully evaluate their competency.

Legal Answers on E-Commerce

Toni Klym McLellan — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The reach of the Internet lets companies shrink the distance between customers and products or services. New technology brings novel legal issues related to e-commerce, including the need for global legal protections for businesses. If you conduct business electronically, understanding common legal issues makes smart business sense.

Web Usability and Higher Conversion for Site Design

Valerie DiCarlo — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Yahoo Website Builder

Sharisa Lewis — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Yahoo! Website Builder is a good pick for small business and ecommerce to use as an inexpensive site developer.

Writing Great Web Site Copy

Linda Formichelli — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Your Web site copy is more important than you think. Great copy is a powerful tool that will sell your products and services and can even boost traffic to your site. Understanding how Web surfers read Web pages is key to coming up with killer copy.

Investing in Domains for Profit

Jeff Behrendt — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Investing in domains can yield dramatic returns - much higher than investing in stocks, bonds, real estate and precious metals. In fact, doubling your money in one to three years is quite common for the average investor.

Building a Web Site That Sells

Jennifer Mattern — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Whether you're trying to sell products online or hoping to attract new clients for your services, you can create a Web site that gets the job done. Building a successful Web site isn't rocket science, and you don't have to hire an expensive Web developer.

Online Stores

Matt Alderton — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Online stores offer customers a break from the standard shopping mall, where they've got to fight for parking, for products and for their position in the checkout line. Of course, online stores have plenty to offer retailers, too. Internet stores, for example, present companies with round-the-clock online business opportunities...

Top Ways Small Business Uses the Internet

Chris Maxcer — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Even if your business doesn't ship products online like Amazon.com, you can benefit from using the Internet.

Selling on Amazon.com

Amy Gesenhues — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Amazon.com has a customer-centric ecommerce site that allows users to find and purchase new and used products. Amazon offers both low-volume and high-volume selling options that make it easy to sell online.

Prepaid Internet Service

Heather Topham Wood — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Prepaid internet access is great for small businesses because you can reduce your internet charges without sacrificing the quality.

Web Design for Non-Profits

Nathan Johnson — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

A growing number of companies are utilizing the Internet to enhance the profitability and market share of their business - but the Internet can also be a powerful medium to increase exposure and further the goals of non-profit organizations.

Writing Effective "About Us" Web Pages

Judy Artunian — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Think of your Web site's About Us pages as your calling card. When a prospective customer visits your site, chances are About Us is one of the first links he will click on. What he reads there can make or break his decision to give you his business.

Choosing the Right Web Hosting for You

Rajan Sodhi — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

What form of web hosting is right for you? If you have graduated from shared hosting and now need a more robust solution, the answer depends.

Starting a Construction Company

G Taylor — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Construction companies never go out of style. As old buildings fall into disrepair, construction companies are busy repairing or remodeling them. When the buildings no longer offer a substantial benefit, a new building replaces it.

Starting a Home Inspection Business

G Taylor — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

As savvy homebuyers, bolstered by increasing regulations in the real estate market, insist upon home inspections as a contingency of a loan offer, the business of providing home inspection services enters a new era.

Web Usability and Higher Conversion for Site Design

Valerie DiCarlo — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Starting a site design or re-design project for your company's website can be overwhelming with all the details you must decide on and consider. In doing so, the issue of SEO and web usability is quickly forgotten or placed low on the priority list. It is critical to the long-term performance of the site to implement not only the SEO factors in a site design, but to consider all elements of website usability.

Using Barcodes in Your Business

John Henshell — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Barcodes have evolved into a useful tool for millions of businesses in a wide variety of industries. Barcode technology is faster and more accurate than entering information by hand on a keyboard - about 15 times faster and 10,000 times more accurate.

Do It Yourself Web Design: Getting Online for Less

Nathan Johnson — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Every day, the Web is growing more important - but gas is getting more expensive. Many business owners, faced with tightening budgets, can't afford to pay a design firm thousands of dollars to create and market their online presence. Fortunately for those who are willing to a little research and devote some time, you can get online - and even market your site - for very little.

Doing Business in Nigeria

Akwasi Adjei — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Over the past seven years, the government of Nigeria has pursued a policy of trade liberalization and privatization. As a result of that, many opportunities for global business operators have been created.

Why Business Presentations Fall Flat

Jane Beard — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Quick: Who's the most important person in the room, in any business presentation? If you think like most speakers, you'll answer that the speaker is most important. If you think like an audience member, you'll answer that the listener is most important.

Calculating Your Advertising Budget

Elaine Grant — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

When you're running a small business, some expenses are straightforward: you know what it costs for electricity, rent, and insurance. But ad budgets are notoriously hard to calculate, no matter whether you view advertising as an expense (if so, you're in the necessary evil camp) or an investment

Budgeting Software

Mark Ingebretsen — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Use the power of budgeting software to plan your budget and monitor day-to-day progress. Budgeting software choices range from popular programs that can be customized to packages that can be located on your company's own server.

Essential Small Business Forms

Matt Alderton — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The formula for a successful business includes an entrepreneurial spirit, passion and creativity, sure. It also includes lots and lots of paperwork. Whether you need to pay vendors or bills, recruit employees or customers, or handle hundreds of other routine business tasks, you'll need to fill out a form to do it.

Business Outsourcing

George Milite — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Outsourcing has received some negative publicity from those who think it reduces employment opportunities for U.S. citizens and sends jobs overseas. The truth is that outsourcing is a global industry specifically geared toward making companies more efficient.

Web Writing for Usability

Haley Nelson — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Starting a Kayak Business

Jennifer D. Bojanowski — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Selling kayaks can be a great addition to any sporting goods store within short driving distance of an ocean, lake, or river. In the right vacation or outdoors activity market, it can even be the basis for a specialty retail and/or rental shop.

Green Franchise Opportunities

Joel Libava — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Not only do I write about franchise trends, but I get to experience them, first hand. My main franchise blog has a wonderful feature that enables me to see what my readers were looking for when they arrived on my little piece of internet property.

Pay Per Click Search Engine Marketing

aaron wall — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

With pay per click marketing you have the ability to target your ads to prospects who are looking for what you sell, but by default advertisers are opted into a number of syndication channels that may eat their budget without providing much direct return on investment.

The New Federal Minimum Wage

Daniel Kehrer — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Small employers hit with soaring energy costs and falling revenue may have another expense to consider: A Federal minimum wage increase, from $5.85 to $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008. That's up from $5.15 per hour in early 2007, and by law will go to $7.25 per hour on July 24, 2009.

Sales Compensation Plans that Work

Daniel Kehrer — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

What to Look for In Your Next Logo or Corporate Identity Design

Melton Cartes — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

You are a business. You are looking for something of which you can be proud. Something that clearly and completely communicates what your business does and stands for.

The Top 5 Mistakes Advertisers Make with Their Advertising

Melton Cartes — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

A big mistake is talking about what you're interested in instead of what your customers are interested in. Your services or products may be the best thing since sliced bread. But, if you don't stop to check if your potential customer is interested, you'll only be imposing your message on them instead of being persuasive.

Getting Your First (or Latest) Website

Melton Cartes — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

You have a business and you think you need a website but you're not sure what to do next and you're afraid it's going to cost you. Think blog!

Finding Restaurant Supplies

Amy Gesenhues — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

As a restaurant owner, your checklist for supplies and inventory can leave your head spinning. If you're not careful, you may end up spending all of your time managing your supply chain and neglect other areas of your business. These simple steps will help you find the supplies you need to open and run your business.

Starting a Coffeehouse

Jenni Simcoe — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

It might seem like there's a coffeehouse on every corner, but there's still room in the market for indie neighborhood joints if you have the moxie to go up against Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Peets.

Financing a Startup

Jackie Larson — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

There are many sources to consider when looking for financing: private capital, bank loans, government programs or your own assets. It's likely that the ultimate solution will involve some combination of these and others.

Free Publicity Through Product Reviews

Alyice Edrich — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

I recently visited a forum where a store owner of handmade goods was approached by a blogger to review her goods in exchange for a positive review about the product. I thought I'd talk about giving your product away for review since I am a professional reviewer and have been reviewing products for years.

Getting Hired As A Blogger

Alyice Edrich — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

I started blogging for personal reasons: to keep in touch with long distant friends and relatives. Then I added a blog for my magazine to host interviews I conduct with authors and entrepreneurs. Now I get paid to ghostwrite...

Beijing 2008 for Foreign Enterprises

Kenneth Wong — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

For foreign enterprises, the opportunities presented by the Beijing Olympics are huge. Small businesses should implement a market-driven strategy to leverage on the glory of the games.

Understanding Guanxi to Maximize Your Business Potential in China

Kenneth Wong — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

In China, it is said that anything of consequence in business is done through guanxi. Guanxi refers to the conduct of relationships, the art of you scratch my back, I scratch yours socio-business culture in China. The appropriate guanxi creates a smooth path...

Successfully Hiring an Employee

Kathy McMurray — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

If you are hiring your first or your 100th employee, this information is for you. This guide is designed for entrepreneurs, corporate managers, anyone who participates in hiring decisions.

Deliverability 101: Top Issues to Cause Email to Fail - Part 2

Dennis Dayman — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

All customers do NOT want an email every time you offer a new product or service. Don't assume they want it all.

Deliverability 101: Top Issues to Cause Email to Fail - Part I

Dennis Dayman — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Getting your email to a recipient who has requested it without it falling into their Junk Mail folder is a more difficult task than you may imagine. Knowing what to include - and just as importantly, what NOT to include - can make the difference.

E-Commerce Site Search: So What Exactly Is It?

John Schoeph — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

When I do live presentations I am often asked, "What exactly is e-commerce site search?" Even more importantly, merchants ask me "Why do I care?" The second question is the easiest to answer: because it helps boost sales.

Green Business as Good Business

Shai Aharony — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

We hear a lot about green marketing these days. Small businesses to major corporations are trying to appeal to the greater environmental consciousness of consumers. Why? There's money to be made. Research suggests that eco-minded consumers are willing to pay more money...

Planning a Successful Trade Show

Mike Weimar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0800

With careful planning and some innovative tactics you can ensure that your next trade show produces an outstanding return on your marketing investment. Trade shows and events are unique in the marketing mix since they bring customers, prospects, and company representatives together.

Making Money on CafePress

Kimberly Dawn Wells — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Designing and selling shirts or other branded merchandise used to involve extensive amounts of time, financing, and resources. An online service has now made it possible to get started for free, with little knowledge or skills required. CafePress is a print-on-demand service for clothing and gifts ...

Twitter for Business

Shara Karasic — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Breaking news often hits Twitter first. Use Twitter to hear insider commentary from the most brilliant venture capitalists, CEO's, technology leaders, SEO's, and social media consultants.

Skype: A Great Tool for Small Business

James McNamee — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

My company's headquarters are in California, but I work out of Boston. We use Skype to conduct quick staff meetings to go over responsibilities for the day. The best part of this for our small busines...it is free to do this.

Green Investing

Matt Moscardi — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Investing green with a piece of your retirement, business assets, or general investment portfolio not only sends an important message, but has a long term ability to profit as the world goes greener.

Starting A Gardening Business

Melissa Paxton — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

If you've been thinking about turning your gardening hobby into a gardening business, this guide can help you get started. By learning about the many local, regional and national resources available to commercial gardeners, you can increase both knowledge and profit, and build a strong client base in your local community.

Mobile Marketing for Small Business

Daniel Kehrer — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Add this to the changing face of how commerce happens: More and more, it's going mobile. Many small businesses are already using mobile marketing to spur sales, from pizza parlors to real estate agents.

Google Adwords

Danielle Leitch — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Top 10 things to consider in your Google AdWords campaigns

Practical Uses Of Social Media In Business

Danielle Leitch — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Everywhere you go online there is mention of social media. Even the presidential candidates and their delegates are using this marketing vehicle to their advantage, particularly to reach out to a different generation than in years past. So, what does this all mean for your business?

Do It Yourself Web Design: Getting Online for Less

Nathan Johnson — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

How to Take Advantage of Intelligent Communications

Andy Green — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

You've maxed out the capacity of your aging phone system, and you're now looking to upgrade or replace. Perhaps you're interested in tapping into the new VoIP technology. In this article, we'll take a look at advanced phone features that can make a difference to your business.

Testing the Usability of your Website

Justin Palmer — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Ever had one of those aha moments with your website? You know, that instant when you suddenly realize you've been doing something wrong for a long time? What is your site's stumbling block?

Paid Search Advertising

Julia Hyde — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Ah, paid search. I've lost count of the amount of times potential clients have told me that their paid search campaigns don't work. My response is always the same: that's because you're doing it all wrong.

Green Business Travel

Hilary Kusel — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Tips and advice on how to greenify your business travel.

Inventory Issues When Buying Or Selling A Small Business - 7 Key Items

Peter Siegel, MBA — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Have you ever counted 3,546 small plastic insects? I have.

Program Language Software for Non-Programmers

Elliot Feldman — Tue, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Do you wish that you could get under the hood to customize software to fit your professional needs?

How to Market an Adventure Travel Business Online

Enrico Forte — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Learn how to market an adventure travel business online.

Using iPhone as a Business Tool

ptaneja — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Until recently, iPhone's suitability for businesses was a raging debate. But by now the verdict is near unanimous -- it is too beautiful, user friendly and powerful a device to be merely the end consumers' baby.

Selecting Intranets, Extranets and Customer Portal Solutions

ptaneja — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Intranet, Extranet, and Customer Portal are fashionable techie jargon nowadays, and hailed as must haves for all varieties of businesses. Their benefits to any sort of business are obvious - increased productivity, enhanced communication and collaboration, satisfied vendors and partners, streamlined processes etc. Previously, such software were available only to mega businesses which could afford custom built solutions running into tens of thousands of dollars in cost. But since the advent of web based software-as-a-service applications, even the smallest of companies can afford such software for a monthly fee.

Overtime in a High-Tech World

Topher Liddle — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

It's something we have all gotten used to, checking and responding to work emails during non-work hours. It helps cut down on the amount of work that needs to be done during the day, as well as increases the speed at which problems are addressed. This can be especially important for smaller companies who rely on each employee in order to run effectively. While Blackberries and other hand-held devices can be a great tool for organizations, they can also lead to significant legal problems if employers don't create guidelines around this kind of work. For exempt employees this is not a problem at all and is becoming more and more the norm. Once this trend begins to extend to non-exempt employees things begin to become a bit more tricky. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, even if employees are not supposed to be doing work after hour, the fact that their emails to and from supervisors are time stamped holds the employer liable for time worked.

Using Online Product and Service Reviews

Geoff Kohl — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

3 reasons why you should consider adding user reviews functionality to your site: 1) It aids credibility of a website; 2) It can help your potential customers decide what product or service they need; 3) Gives you the feedback on what your customers want; 4) Alerts you to problems with products or services; 5) Brings content and traffic to your site.

Hiring Interns

Topher Liddle — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0800

There are many ways hiring interns can add value to your organization. They can minimize the impact to your hiring budget. They may work on projects that need to be completed that free up your experienced employees to work on more complex assignments. Oftentimes interns will bring new ideas and energy into an organization.

Computer Repair For Home and Office

Jeremy Hambly — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Computer repair can be a daunting task. Inside that little box with flashing lights lies in many cases your livelihood. Family photos, music, games, homework and much more. In many cases when someone's computer goes down it is more worrisome than their car breaking down.

Running A Baseball Card Shop

Shawn Crandall — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Tips from Adam Martin - CEO of Dave and Adam's Card World

First Steps in Promoting your Online Store

Michael Gunin — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The technical side of maintaining an e-commerce web site is just a part of a successful online business. No less important is to let potential customers know about products and services you offer and achieve regular interest from targeted audience. This guide outlines the most important steps in promoting your online store.

Coping with High Gas Prices

Daniel Kehrer — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Helping ease the burden of high gas prices on employees has become a new way for small businesses to maintain morale and reduce turnover. Your top concerns are paying as little as possible for gas and taking full advantage of available discounts; minimizing the amount of driving you and your employees do on behalf of your business; making your shipping operations more fuel-efficient; maintaining your vehicles properly and switching to more fuel-efficient models when you trade in.

Web Hosting Services for Small Business

Mary Sit — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

To find the best Web hosting service for your business, you need to choose one that fits your site requirements and your budget. But don't forget to factor in the intangibles, such as reliability and customer service.

Real Estate Investing for Rentals - 20 Ways to Get the Highest Rental Price

Dan Daugherty — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Success in residential real estate investing is determined by a variety of factors. One of these factors is how well an investor can market the rental property. There are 20 basic things a real estate investor can do to get their home rented out out quickly for the highest rental price as possible.

Uncommon Startup Advice

David Mullings — Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

It is extremely easy to find great startup advice, especially lists of mistakes to avoid. These lists generally offer the same information that has been regurgitated for decades, with updates for the web era based on lessons from the dot-com bust.

Online Product Development

Simon Slade — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

You've had the breakthrough idea and have sorted out your business plan. If your business involves a new product or service, there will probably be a section in your business plan marked Product Development.

Buying Green Office Supplies

Frances Sharpe — Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Conducting large-scale energy audits, purchasing energy-efficient equipment and building a green office facility from the ground up aren't the only ways a business can make a difference in our environment. Every business, no matter how small, can do its part on a daily basis by purchasing environmentally responsible office supplies.

Avoid Using the Word Free (and Other Lame Gimmicks) in Your B2B PPC Ads

Eve Lopez — Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

When it comes to writing PPC ad copy, one mistake B2B advertisers often make is using the word "free." Free shipping, free trials, free demos, free quotes, free white papers, free downloads - guess what? It doesn't work.

Naming a New Business or Start Up - 8 Missteps to Avoid

Phillip Davis — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Company naming mistakes can be costly to correct. Avoid these 8 typical missteps and be on your way to a great company or brand name.

Workplace Safety for Industry

Matthew Kane — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Safe workers are productive workers. Keeping a workplace safe positively effects employees productivity and a business' bottom line.

3 Must Do's to Retain Your Precious Employees

Betsy Harper — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

I'd like to suggest that you "keep it simple" and do only three things with the goal of retaining your employees. If you do, you'll go a long way towards keeping those precious assets at your company.

Increasing Traffic to Your Squidoo Lenses

Kimberly Dawn Wells — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Who wouldn't love to have more readers, buyers, and sneezers on their lenses? (The viral marketing sneezers, not viral illness ones...) Online promotion is an art. The rules are always changing.

60+ Free Web Development Tools for Entrepreneurs

Shara Karasic, Work.com Community Manager — Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

From ecommerce to social networking, there are many cool new tools that allow you to get your web presence jumpstarted for cheap.

Sample Business Plans

Daniel Kehrer — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Need to create a great business plan, fast? Hey, why reinvent the wheel! Unless your business plan is something never before conceived of, there's probably a free sample business plan for precisely what you need that you can adapt as your very own.

Building Web Presence for Small Businesses

Mirna Bard — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

While browsing through online forums, I noticed one question being asked over and over: I have a small business so why do I need web presence? In my opinion, there are 7 reasons why businesses of any size can benefit from being active online.

Increasing your Email Marketing Subscriber List

Stephanie Chandler — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

One of the most cost-effective ways to grow your business is through email marketing. Here is a round-up of methods you can use to increase your database and ultimately, your profits.

Successful Business Networking on Facebook

David Mullings — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

It is no secret that people are using Facebook for business networking and I wanted to share my own success stories and exactly what I did so that others can follow similar strategies.

Optimize your Website for Local Search

Justin Palmer — Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Local search presents unique challenges and opportunities. With the potential for your listing to show in 3 different areas on the results page, (organic listing, local listings, and paid listings), local search presents an exciting potential to dominate your space.

Interviewing Prospective Employees

Jennifer Mattern — Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 -0800

When looking to hire new team members to help your business grow, the interview process is key to making the right decisions.

Programs for Women Business Owners

Frances Sharpe — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

If you think you're at a disadvantage as a female entrepreneur, think again. Dozens of organizations and programs have emerged in recent years to help women start and grow their own businesses.

Creating an Elevator Pitch for Your Startup

Frances Sharpe — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Entrepreneurs use the term elevator pitch to describe the short period of time - maybe 30 seconds or less, or about five floors riding on the elevator - to communicate a business idea.

Volunteer Opportunities for Your Business

Eve Lopez — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

There is nothing more valuable than your time. By giving some of that time by choosing a volunteer opportunity for your company, you'll be helping the community as well as fostering a team building environment.

Using a Search Engine Optimization Company vs. Hiring an In-House Expert: The True Dollar Cost

Scott Buresh — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

It's a common question that companies who are considering hiring a search engine optimization company often face - is this something that we can do in-house?

How to Write Emails

Paul Gareth Evans — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

This guide gives a few easy pointers to help you and your staff improve email efficiency and skills - actions that can be put into place incredibly quickly...

Blogging for the Non Blogger

Kathleen Gage — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

If you are new to blogging, chances are you may be unsure of what the best and most effective approach to gaining maximum benefit from time and effort invested. A primary goal for blogging should be to gain visibility, credibility and market reach for your efforts. The following are some easy-to-apply strategies that will get you well on your way to becoming a competent blogger.

Facebook for Business Building

Mari Smith — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Social networking websites, especially Facebook, have significant implications for business owners, marketers, and entrepreneurs. To keep your business current, you should at least be familiar with the latest conversational marketing techniques and viral technologies, including Facebook and its array of powerful features.

Business Factoring Companies

Greg Brown — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

In any small business, there comes a moment when thing are going great -- orders pour in, production is humming, everyone is working overtime to meet deadlines -- and cash gets tight.

Setting Goals that Increase the Value of Your Email Newsletter

Garrett French — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

This guide offers a quick overview of a measured approach to better aligning your email newsletter efforts with the goals of your organization.

Business-to-Business Online Competitive Intelligence for Search Marketers

Ben Hanna — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Your competitors are watching you. Are you watching them? Are you using what you learn to improve your search marketing results?

Promoting your Squidoo Lenses Through your Blog

Kimberly Dawn Wells — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

In the last few years, as blogs have grown from new to popular to mainstream, the number of ways websurfers can find and follow their favorite topics has skyrocketed. Not only can readers on the other side of the world learn about your new job, your sick cat, and the last book you read, they can learn about your Squidoo lenses.

7 Lessons on How to Be A Great Client

Rohit Bhargava — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

I've spent a lot of years working in marketing agencies and the one thing you learn with that kind of background is how to build relationships quickly. Of course, the thing that's a bit tougher to admit is that some relationships are much better than others.

How to Win a Business Award

Anita Campbell — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Want to put your business on the map and get free PR? Try applying for business awards.

Building a Business That Customers Can Trust

Helen Hoefele — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

How can your business build back trust with a consumer that has been jaded by unfair or deceptive business dealings of others?

Getting a Business Line of Credit

Daniel Kehrer — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

A business line of credit - ready cash anytime you need it - is a marvelous and flexible financial tool to help a small business grow and keep you in control.

Creativity and Innovation for Small Business

Donna Fenn — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

You have to be extraordinary agile to keep up with today's constantly changing competitive environment. The best way to ensure lasting success is to make sure that everyone in your company is encouraged and rewarded for thinking and behaving creatively.

Using YouTube to Promote Your Business

Brian Brown — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

When your company spends the money to produce a commercial, or a video that educates your potential customers, YouTube may be used to expand the audience for that video. Since the service is free and the videos are available indefinitely, this approach has the potential to add tens of thousands of viewers to the total audience of your production.

Getting the Most Out of LinkedIn

Greg Brown — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

A few years ago, some Silicon Valley netreprenuers were sitting around trying to figure out how to make social sites -- the growing phenomenon of Web sites for communities dominated by Facebook and MySpace -- work for business. Thus LinkedIn was born: a giant virtual business cocktail, going 24/7.

Creating a Facebook Fan Page for Your Business

Shara Karasic — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Facebook now allows you to create a fan page for yourself, your entity, or your business which allows you to: 1)Communicate with your customers and let them show support by becoming fans; 2) Get insights into what your customers want; 3) Allow your customers to spread your message throughout their social graph. Here's how to create your own Facebook fan page.

Understanding Guanxi to Maximize Your Business Potential in China

Kenneth Wong — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

In China, it is said that anything of consequence in business is done through "guanxi". Guanxi refers to the conduct of relationships, the art of "you scratch my back, I scratch yours" socio-business culture in China.

Managing a Fast-Growing Business

Donna Fenn — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Growth is a common mantra for CEOs, but fast growth can muck up your business just as easily as it can catapult it into the firmament of entrepreneurial stars. The trick is knowing how to manage growth.

Marketing Your Business With a Blog

Brian Brown — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

A blog for your company generates new customers, keeps your customers informed of new products and promotions, associates your brand with your specialized niche in the marketplace, and creates an opportunity for fantastic customer service.

Beijing 2008 for Foreign Enterprises

Kenneth Wong — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

For foreign enterprises, the opportunities presented by the Beijing Olympics are huge. Small businesses should implement a market-driven strategy to leverage on the glory of the games.

Doing Business in Latin America

Greg Brown — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Big companies consider Latin America a huge opportunity but, revenue-wise, usually a tiny slice of their revenue pie - less than 5%. But it's also typically the most profitable region for companies that do business there.

Writing a Strong Call to Action in Your Online Ads

Eve Lopez — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The most important thing to remember when thinking about calls to action is that online users want to be told what to do. They want to know exactly what you are offering on your website, and they want a direct command to do so.

Creating Invoices That Get Paid

Deborah Kurfiss — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

No matter how superior your product or service, you will not get ahead unless you spend time in vital administrative tasks such as accounting and invoicing.

Resources for Starting a Business

Daniel Kehrer — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Taking your first steps to start a business can be daunting, but take heart. Many excellent websites and organizations offer help to anyone starting a business.

Finding Venture Capital

Daniel Kehrer — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

If you're seeking venture capital (VC) to help launch or accelerate a business, first understand a little about who venture capitalists are - and are not.

Building an Online Community

Shara Karasic, Work.com Community Manager — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Craigslist.org started as a small San Francisco email list in the mid-1990's, created because Craig Newmark wanted to make it easy for his friends to know what was going on around town.

Updating Your Google Local Business Listing

Carrie Hill — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

If they can't find you online - they cannot buy your stuff! Google Local offers businesses a free, local listing to encourage the sharing of accurate and up-to-date information.

Finding Commercial Real Estate Listings

Jeff Ostrowski — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

You probably know that the Internet has made it easier to research homes for sale, but the tech revolution also has hit the more specialized world of commercial real estate listings.

Getting Your Product To Stand Out At A Tradeshow

Rohit Bhargava — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

I spent this week at what is probably the largest tradeshow in the world. The sheer size of CES means that information overload is inevitable, and the consistent challenge for any exhibitor at a show like this is rising above the clutter.

Starting a Children's Party Entertainment Business

Laurie Lathem — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Do you enjoy children? Do children like you? Can you tell stories, be a clown, play sports or a musical instrument? If so, then you may be able to start a small business doing kids' entertainment.

Picking a Location for Your Business

Matt Alderton — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Business legend has it that if you build it, they will come. Building it, however, requires time and capital - and there's no guarantee that anyone will ever come. That's why smart business owners seeking a new or startup location study up on a subject they probably haven't touched since seventh grade: geography.

Using FedEx More Effectively

Frances Sharpe — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

FedEx's claim to fame may be its overnight delivery services, but the worldwide shipper offers many more solutions for small businesses.

Doing Business in Second Life

Deborah Kurfiss — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

How to make real money in a virtual world...

Small Business VoIP Phone Systems

John Zietzke — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

How to find and select the best local dealer to install and manage a new small business VoIP phone system.

Managing Customer Relationships

Donna Fenn — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Your best source of additional revenue is the customers who are already doing business with you. Learn how to better serve them and you'll spare yourself the trouble and expense of constantly trolling for new prospects.

Making the Most of Networking Events - How to Work a Room

Scott Allen — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

You've chosen the right event, prepared by researching the group and expected attendees, and pre-contacted some of the attendees. You have your business cards and your self-introduction ready, and now you're off to the event. How do you make the most of that face-to-face time in a room full of dozens or perhaps hundreds of people?

Setting up a Merchant Account

Daniel Kehrer — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

It's a fact: Small businesses that accept credit cards sell more. Often much more. To do that, you must set up a merchant account to accept credit card payments.

Twitter for Business

Shara Karasic — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Breaking news often hits Twitter first. Use Twitter to hear insider commentary from the most brilliant venture capitalists, CEO's, technology leaders, SEO's, and social media consultants.

Building a Socially Conscious Company

Frances Sharpe — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Many small business owners fear that a socially conscious business can't be successful. Not so. In fact, values-driven businesses that place an emphasis on improving the quality of life of their customers, their employees, their communities and the environment, often improve their bottom lines.

Finding Venture Capital

Daniel Kehrer — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

If you're seeking venture capital (VC) to help launch or accelerate a business, first understand a little about who venture capitalists are - and are not.

Business Tax Deductions

John Riddle — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Small business owners generally loathe tax time. But if you take all of the business deductions allowable, you can usually lower your tax bill significantly.

Wireless Email Service

Daniel Kehrer — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The ability to communicate by email no matter where your day takes you is one thing that can set a small business above the competition. If you have to be on the road...

Opening a Restaurant

Amy Gesenhues — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The restaurant business is not for the weak at heart. You must have passion and dedication - and a solid business plan.

Overcoming your Fears of Launching a Business

Carmina Perez — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Managing Email Overload

Paul Vachier — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

With email having taken over as the most common form of business communication in today's world, how can small business owners deal with an inbox that's run out of control?

Low-Cost Franchises

Matt Alderton — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Money is an important concern in starting any business. Franchises are no different. They require cash for real estate, personnel, marketing and merchandise - just like every business does.

Expanding Distribution Channels

Frances Sharpe — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Every small business wants to sell more. Rather than simply thinking of ways to get more customers into your store, start thinking of ways to get your products or services out to more consumers.

Tracking Your B2B Pay-Per-Click Online Advertising Campaign

Stephanie Munoz — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

In the B2B world, tracking your pay per click online marketing campaigns can be complicated for many reasons. First, the sales process often starts with a request for information

Doing Business in China

Irwin Speizer — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The Chinese economy is on a roll and business opportunities in China - both buying and selling - are more plentiful than ever. You can turn this economic wonder to your own advantage by seizing the opportunity

Promoting a Local Business Online

Daniel Kehrer — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Every day, customers turn more and more to the Web for what they need. And in many cases, what they need is available from a local business; maybe YOUR business. When customers search online for a local solution or supplier

Barcode Software

Frances Sharpe — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Using a barcode system can increase productivity, speed sales and improve accuracy. However, implementing a barcode system takes effort and requires specialized software.

Breaking Into the Film and Television Industries

Laurie Lathem — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

So you wanna be in show business. Maybe you've been working in a field that isn't exciting enough or doesn't use enough of your creativity. Or you're just starting out and know that a regular desk job isn't for you.

Creativity and Innovation for Small Business

Donna Fenn — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Computer Training for Your Staff

Brian Brown — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

As a former training manager and instructor of a computer learning center, I've seen the results of computer software training first-hand. Most students immediately become more productive employees.

Leading Creative Workshops

Laurie Lathem — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Teaching creative workshops can be an extremely rewarding way to supplement your income. You work for yourself, the overhead can be low to nonexistent, and teaching others keeps your own skills sharp.

Gmail for Work

Brian Brown — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Gmail is a powerful email program from Google. The tools included with Gmail make it a serious alternative to other email options available in the office, and unlike the office, you can check your email on your Gmail account with any computer...

Using LinkedIn to Sell More, Faster

Scott Allen — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

One of the most common questions I get asked is, "How can LinkedIn help me sell more?" LinkedIn isn't just for job seekers and recruiters...

Creating a Great Business Plan

Frances Sharpe — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

A business plan is like a roadmap that shows where your business is going and how it's going to get there. This detailed look at where your business is heading can do much more for your business than simply provide you with a route to follow. You can use it to convey your vision to potential investors ...

Setting up a Merchant Account

Daniel Kehrer — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

It's a fact: Small businesses that accept credit cards sell more. Often much more. To do that, you must set up a merchant account to accept credit card payments. You may need an internet merchant account as well. Here's a three-pronged strategy to help you find the best merchant account provider: ...

Learning Search Engine Optimization

aaron wall — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

While many people consider SEO to be complicated I believe that SEO is nothing but an extension of traditional marketing. Search engine optimization consists of 9 main steps1. market research2. keyword research3. on page optimization 4. site structure5. link building6. brand buildin ...

60+ Free Web Development Tools & Resources for Entrepreneurs

Shara Karasic, Work.com Community Manager — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

From ecommerce to social networking, there are many cool new tools that allow you to get your web presence jumpstarted for cheap. Here is a list of the best free resources for web 2.0 design, development, and ecommerce: ...

Online Business Networking

Scott Allen — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Networking, in the form of direct personal contact and referrals, typically accounts for as much as 70% of an entrepreneur's new business. It's also the #1 way small businesses find employees, suppliers and strategic partners. While this used to be relegated to networking breakfasts, Chamber of Commerce luncheons, ...

Small Business Blogs

Shara Karasic, Work.com Community Manager — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

It seems like every day there are new blogs from business owners, people who serve small business and those who monitor small business trends. Blogs are often written by people who have "been-there and done-that", and it's good to know what's being talked about in the small business blogosphere. But how do ...

Making Money on CafePress

Kimberly Dawn Wells — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Marketing Your Business With a Blog

Brian Brown — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Opening a Restaurant

Amy Gesenhues — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The restaurant business is not for the weak at heart. You must have passion and dedication -- and a solid business plan. By keeping your operations organized you'll save time and money, and hopefully keep your doors open for years to come. If you're thinking about opening a restaurant, take these steps: ...

Managing Customer Relationships

Donna Fenn — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Incorporating a Business

Frances Sharpe — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Incorporating your business provides multiple benefits, including protecting your personal assets, providing a variety of tax-related savings, reducing the chances of an IRS audit, and increasing your company's credibility with customers. Corporations are classified as one of the following: ...

Doing Business in Ghana

Akwasi Adjei — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Recently, Ghana signed the U.S. government's Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact, which is designed to promote sustainable economic growth. The MCC Board selects eligible countries based on their demonstrated commitment to "ruling justly, investing in people, and encouraging economic freedom." Ghana will receive ...

Starting a Pool Hall

Brian Rollo — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Owning a billiards hall can be a fun and rewarding endeavor, but you will face many unique challenges in order to be successful. There are three key decisions that must be made: 1) What is your target clientele? Is it the hardcore pool players, families, or college students? Nearly every decision you make will need to be ...

Getting a Book Agent

Laurie Lathem — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Your book is finally finished. You've just come back from the printers hauling several new copies (in manuscript form of course) and they look just fantastic sitting in the box on the floor. Now what? You've heard the stories about how difficult the publishing world can be, and they are all true. To make matters ...

Promoting a Local Business Online

Daniel Kehrer — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Business Logo Design

Daniel Kehrer — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Getting sleek company logos that precisely fit the image small businesses want to portray has never been faster, easier or less expensive. Many entrepreneurs once spent weeks or months and thousands of dollars in a frustrating quest for a business logo design. The new way is the Web way. Internet-based log ...

IRS Forms and Publications for Small Business

Daniel Kehrer — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Words etched in stone on the IRS building in Washington, DC say, "Taxes are what we pay for a civilized society." But Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., the Supreme Court justice who said that, could never have imagined the mind-numbing complexity of today's tax code ...

B2B Pay Per Click Best Practices for Online Lead Generation

Lindsey Walsh SearchEnginePPC.com — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

B2B companies often have a lot invested in their websites, but still aren't effectively using them in the pay-per-click marketplace. The Forrester's Marketing Effectiveness Survey, from Q2 of 2006, reported that only 59% of B2B companies surveyed are using search engine marketing. And while B-to-C marketers use ...

Finding Venture Capital

Daniel Kehrer — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

If you're seeking venture capital (VC) to help launch or accelerate a business, first understand a little about who venture capitalists are -- and are not. There are many widespread misconceptions. Venture capital is money put up by professional venture capital firms that invest alongside management in young, ...