Your Questions About How To Do Business Online
Lizzie asks…
how do I offer free shipping with purchase with my online business?
I have a clothing business online and to increase sales I want to offer free shipping with each purchase but I am not sure how to go about it.
It looks like the least expensive route would be usps as they have more standard rates.
Is that a good idea or should I just keep it simple and let the customer pay shipping?
Thanks
Jere answers:
I run a business and do the free shipping thing.
What I did was calculate the average cost to send goods across the country. I then added a small % to it and then to the bottom line price of the good. I only ship free to the 48 continuous states (though if you ship USPS to HI and AK it would be the same price 1st class).
I then advertise “all prices include ground shipping”.
It does seem to help my sales as my customers know what it is going to cost them! My competition has adjusted their pricing accordingly too.
Ken asks…
How do YOU search for a local business online?
i have a small business and want to do some online advertising. i’m curious to find out how people search for a local business nowadays. say you’re looking for a dry cleaners or a hardware store in your area, what website do you go to look for that business?
thanks
Jere answers:
People (and me too) search for local business using Google search, special local business review sites, online public bulletin boards (classified ad sites) or directories.
A Google search is done the same as any other search, except the searcher ads a ZIP code, city name or such to their search, like: laundry MyCityName. Google shows both a listing and a map with marking for the businesses. It up to the business owner to “claim” and optimize their listing, using the free “Google Places” service.
Special local business review sites, like “Yelp” allow the public to review the quality of local businesses. Again, the business owner can optimize their listing without charge.
Local directories are lists of business web sites done by the local Chamber of Commerce, county government and such.
A popular free online classified ad site is “Craig’s List”.
I believe that even a local small business should have a simple “Brochure” web site or blog, to clearly express their UVP (Unique Value Proposition).
Hope this helped…
_jim coe
Mark asks…
How do I start a jewellery business online?
I want to start selling jewellery online, and I want to know how much it will cost to get a website created, how long it will take to get one made, and how do I get verified by Paypal or any other payment services?
Jere answers:
Try ebay.
If you’d like for someone to create a website for you, the cheapest way to go is through rentacoders.com where people bid to create a website for you. With paypal you need a bank account, checking account and credit card.
Lisa asks…
How do i start a small business online, like on facebook?
Ok, so i’m just a young teenager, and i don’t get pocket money so i don’t really get income.. i cant get a paper round because there aren’t and local newsagents… i was thinking of starting a small business, but i don’t know how or what to do. Please help, i don’t like having no spare money -.- preferably, a business over the internet, like on facebook or something, because i go back to school in 2 days.
Jere answers:
Try to offer business like massage or anything that doesn’t need a lot of money. Keep it up.
Daniel asks…
How would I start a jewelry business online?
I would love to start my own business, preferably jewelry. How do I go about starting it?
What is Domain Name?
Do I need a trademark and patent?
What websites are great for starting your own business?
Also, I was wondering what if I was to make something and it’s a popular item, but I run out of items to make that exact product, Do I just buy lots of it and make a lot of the same thing at one time?
Thank You
Jere answers:
Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you’ll inevitably have as well as many you haven’t anticipated yet.
Http://www.ags.org/ — American Gem Society
http://www.jic.org/ — Jewelry Information Center
http://www.polygon.net/ — Polygon
http://www.nationaljeweler.com/ — National Jeweler
Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry.
* Jewelry Making for Fun & Profit: Make Money Doing What You Love! By Lynda Musante, Maria Nerius
* Marketing and Selling Your Handmade Jewelry: The Complete Guide to Turning Your Passion into Profit by Viki Lareau
* Profiting by Design: A Jewelry Maker’s Guide to Business Success by Marlene Richey
There are plenty of free informational resources out there.
Http://ezinearticles.com/?Jewelry-Making-for-Fun-and-Profit&id=53313 – Jewelry Making for Fun and Profit by Sam Serio
http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-You-Ready-to-Start-a-Home-Based-Jewelry-Business?&id=15897 – Are You Ready to Start a Home Based Jewelry Business? By Christopher Gage
http://ezinearticles.com/?Start-Your-Successful-Jewelry-Business&id=169549 – Start Your Successful Jewelry Business by Diana Milani
To register a trademark, that’s done either through your Secretary of State for a State trademark or the US Patent & Trademark Office for a Federal trademark.
If you are only conducting business in one state, then a State trademark is most appropriate. If you conduct (OR are planning to conduct) business in at least 2 states OR between the US & any other country, you can file for a Federal trademark.
Prior to investing your time, money & effort into a name, it is strongly advised that comprehensive research be conducted to ensure that the name you’re interested in is truly available.
This entails searches of the pending & registered Federal and State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files. Then, if clear, you can decide if you would like to file for a Federal or a State trademark.
Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
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