Your Questions About Business Online Services
Ken asks…
is Yext power listings an effective way to get your business found online?
Yext power listings has been sending me emails, it does appear accurate on where i am listed online and where i am not. it is pretty expensive though. is it effective for getting business online and is it worth the money?
Jere answers:
I haven’t heard of Yext. If you do a search for Yext reviews though it looks like this company might not be very good.
In my experience, it seems like some of the larger SEO and web design companies are in the business of selling products without caring if they actually are providing a good service.
If you are looking to get your company noticed online, I’d love to chat. Check out my website and see if you’d like to work with me. My prices are fair and I personally see to it that my clients are getting relevant traffic.
George asks…
Is there an online printing service that creates custome purchase orders?
Prior to my employment, my company had our Purchase Orders made up with our Company name and logo on it. They were perforated at the top and had a white copy along with a carbon yellow and pink copy. Is there a business online that anyone can recommend that I could get something similar made up?
Vista Prints does alot of marketing material, for the Purchase Orders I would need a company that creates material for buisness to use internaly
Jere answers:
Try something called vista print. They do a lot of custom printing and its cheap.
Robert asks…
How to set up a site/blog where others can post without them needing to sign up or log in?
We want to set up a website in memorial of someone that allows others to contribute memories and add photos without needing to sign up or log in – we expect contributors to be older generations and the less techy business involved the better (like wordpress and other blogs which get a bit tricky).
We wish to create our own site and not use a free memorial online service – unless anyone knows of a particularly good/customisable one? Many thanks.
Jere answers:
I would advice WordPress.
Watch the video’s on my site which will show you how to accomplish this.
If you have any questions let me know by the contact form and I’ll be glad to help!
Mandy asks…
How much does ut cost to get a trademark for my business and how can i do this FAST?
I have a new business online and I want to trademark my business name along with the sister Company names I have . HOW can do this cheapest way and fast? I need 3 trademarks, thanks so much!!
Jere answers:
You can have a trademark simply by using the name in business with a TM. This common law trademark affords you some protection. To register your trademark (allowing you to use the ® symbol), you have to file with the USPTO and pay $275 or $325 per class of goods/services the trademark will be used for. See the site below for more info.
Steven asks…
What do I need to do to start an online business?
I want to start an online business providing document services and printing needs to small businesses. I know who I want to host my website (Yahoo! Small Business works the best for me and is affordable) and I can make a website. What I need to know is 1) is this an area that is profitable online and 2) what are some of the first steps I should take so that I can start earning money almost immediately wothout having to spend tons of money first. Other tips are welcome!
What can I do to attract potential customers to my website while spending little money. I’m on an extremely tight budget and cannot afford much at all after all the bills are paid. While I may not be able to earn money immediately, what can I do to begin earning money as soon as practical?
Jere answers:
You seem to have thought out your online business. What strikes me though is your statement “earning almost immediately.”
Sure, you can achieve that — IF AND ONLY IF you have pre-marketed your site. It means that your target market is aware that your site will be launching so they are ready to go there and order as soon as you have launched.
One of the realities of the Web is that there is no truth to what they say “If you build it they will come.” They won’t; unless you are extremely proactive in your marketing. But to expect people flocking to your site as soon as you launch if you did no prior marketing is nothing but foolish hope. It just doesn’t happen that way. For one, it takes time for search engines to pick up your site; and it even takes a longer time for your site to be in the top 10 of your keywords.
One article that I found very useful is “7 Steps to Successful Web Site Development” http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol142/website.htm as it takes to you all the decision steps that you need to take when starting an online business. Like any other business, startup period is full of “should I do this” or “should I do that” questions. The article is useful because it helps you think through every step of the way – from why do you want a website to who is your audience to how will you create your website to how you will market your new website.
Here are the steps you need to take when creating your online business:
STEP 1: Set Your Goals – Why do you want a web site? What is the size of the online market? What are the goals for your website?
STEP 2: Develop Your Web Site Strategy – Who is your website target audience? What typically appeals to your target audience? How are the other websites (your competition) reaching out to this target audience? How will you measure your performance?
STEP 3: Set-Up Implementation Plans – What name will you give to your site? How do you envision the design of your web site? How will you create your website? How will you create your content? How will you maintain your website?
STEP 4: Start the Ball Rolling – Do you have a logo? For e-retailers, do you have the critical components needed to run an e-commerce site? How are you going to host your site?
STEP 5: Create and Launch Your Web Site – Have you uploaded your site with your chosen web host provider? Are the scripts and application you need for your website functioning well? Have you tested your website?
STEP 6: Promote Your Web Site and Measure Its Results – Do you have a plan in place to market your website? Do you regularly review your traffic logs and web site performance tracker? How are you going to get sites to link to you? Do you know the search engine keywords that you rank well? If your site is not visible in the search engine results pages for its keywords, what strategies do you intend to do?
STEP 7: Maintain Your Website and Grow Your Web Business – Continue to find ways to grow your web business. How do you intend to continue your education on web development?
Here are some shoestring marketing ideas that can help you get the visitors you need at the least cost possible:
1. Create the best content you can with the best products you can possibly offer. Your content is your best advertisement – if visitors love your content, then they will go back and spread the word to others.
2. Make it easy for users to recommend your site. Viral marketing is very important — and easy to tap on the Web. But give your users the tools. Get a Recommend this Site script from websites such as cgiscripts.com and similar directories of scripts. Some even go as far as giving incentives to those who recommend the site to their friends. If only 10 people go to your site, but these 10 people invite 10 more – that’s additional traffic that you get for FREE!
3. Rank well in the search engines (organic search results, not the pay per click). SEs can be a big source of traffic. The key is to create the best content in your niche. If you have good content, other websites will gladly link to you and offer your site as a resource to their audience. Check the on-page factors and be sure to get linked from authority sites in your topic area.
If you are going to read only one piece on search engine optimization, I suggest you read Brett Tabke of WebmasterWorld.com’s “Successful Site in 12 Months with Google Alone: 26 steps to 15k a day.” http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum3/2010.htm
4. Send out press releases. While outfits charge as much as $650 per release, there are free press release submission places on the Web. Press releases allow you to (a) attract media attention; (b) get more back links to your website without sending each website an email request; and (c) get more visibility especially if your press release gets in Google News or Yahoo News. My website (see my profile) accepts free press release submission (no strings attached!)
5. Submit articles. Write articles and submit them to websites accepting author submissions. You get exposure for your business; establishes you as an authority in your field, and allows you to get backlinks for your website. If 50 websites publish your article and it contains a link back to your website, then you easily get 50 links from a single article. The more links you have, the greater your chances for increasing your search engine rankings.
6. Improve your conversion. Getting visitors is one thing; getting them to buy your products is a whole different story. Read the article “10 Ways to Convert Visitors to Buyers” http://www.powerhomebiz.com/072005/conversion.htm for tips on how to improve your conversion rates.
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