Let Your Fingerprints Do the Talking
December 28, 2004 - Source: smallbusinesscomputing.com- Computer passwords provide measure of security only as long as they aren't lost, stolen, forgotten, or hacked. Identifying authorized users for your personal or business computers adds a stronger level of security, and the COMBO-Mini from Silex Technology does just that in the form of a fingerprint scanner for Windows-based computers.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

All the Rage
December 28, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- Wondering what everyone will be crazy about in the coming year? Take a sneak peek at the hottest franchising trends for 2005.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

How to Impress Your Banker
December 28, 2004 - Source: businessweek.com- With surveys showing the majority of small-business owners are optimistic heading into the new year, many may be thinking about new projects and expansion in 2005. Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann, executive vice-president and small-business segment manager for Wells Fargo, says the key to landing that much-needed cash infusion is building a close, ongoing relationship with your banker.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

6 Ways To Attract Search Engines To Your Website More Often
December 27, 2004 - Source: typepad.com- Updating and adding to the content on your website frequently will give you an advantage in the search results and also help you expand the number of search terms or key phrases you can get found for. There are many tools and resources you can use to automate the process of adding fresh, updated content and creating more spider-food on your website.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Telling the Story: Why Startups Need PR
December 27, 2004 - Source: infobaseventures.com- While the value of well done PR is enormous, it is often very expensive--way too expensive for most startup companies, which is why, I believe, almost all of them neglect it. We are starting a company to address this issue. We want all CEOs of small companies to be able to afford our PR service. We are designing software that will make it easy to choose a PR template (from hundreds or thousands), fill in some blanks, create some quotes, and have a press release prepared. The best part of this is the release will show up automatically not only on the company's own web site (which is important!) but also on several other web sites including Google.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Clearing the Way for Open Source
December 27, 2004 - Source: businessweek.com- The open-source buzz has been heard in corporate IT departments for a while now. But lately, Main Street mom-and-pops are listening, too. A recent Jupiter Research survey shows a growing number of small and midsize businesses (SMBs) using open-source alternatives to Microsoft (MSFT ) products.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

The 10 trends that will shape 2005
December 27, 2004 - Source: scotsman.com "MEN are becoming more like women, children want to be teenagers, and we are all spending more time in our homes - these are three of the ten 'mega-trends' that are shaping the future of our consumer society."
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Online Seller Succeeds In an Untapped Market
December 27, 2004 - Source: startupjournal.com- In September 2002, Henry T. Kirk stumbled upon an untapped market on eBay, and a business was hatched.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

A Worthy Office Inkjet — If You're Patient
December 27, 2004 - Source: smallbusinesscomputing.com- When you consider that color laser printer prices have slipped below $500 without losing that famously good plain paper output, why would any one choose an inkjet printer for the office? HP has an answer, or at least a plausible argument, in its Business Inkjet 1200.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Segment Your Email Lists: What Vicky Knows
December 27, 2004 - Source: emailuniverse.co- No matter how hard you try to get your email list membership to open your emails or respond to your offers...there will always be a percentage that will be more responsive than the rest. Your top 15-25% of your email list membership is the focus today.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Getting in Your Deductions Before December 31
December 27, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- The holiday season is the busiest time of year for many business owners, especially those in retail, but it's also a frantic time for lawyers, accountants, consultants and other professionals who work with small businesses. Why? Because it's also the end of the tax year, and business owners love to cram their last-minute transactions in before December 31 so they can record any deductions before closing their books.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

E-Tail Therapy
December 27, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- If you're getting sick of the same old business ideas, then it's time to go online. The robust e-commerce market is hotter than ever, and it just may be the cure for what ails you.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Our Conclusion? Try Volusion
December 27, 2004 - Source: ecommerce-guide.com- These days, it's easier than ever to sell goods on the Internet. And to do just that, Volusion offers a complete e-commerce solution that builds a first-rate online catalog and shopping cart. It's among the best on the market and gives other like-minded companies — ShopSite for example — stiff competition.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Does the Blog thing really work?
December 26, 2004 - I've seen lots of advice to put blogs on a website to get it crawled. Is this really true. Do blogs help that much?
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Learn From Your Competitors
December 23, 2004 - Source: inc.com- It seems screamingly obvious, doesn't it? Intensely monitor your competitors to determine what can be learned -- and then, if it makes sense -- appropriate from them. For the most part it's wise and perfectly legal larceny.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Three Reasons to Publish an E-Newsletter AND a Blog
December 23, 2004 - Source: marketingprofs.com- With spam filters on high alert, delivering a newsletter by email is not as easy as it was even one year ago. Should it reach your subscriber’s inbox (without getting siphoned into a junk folder), it still has to vie for attention among dozens—or even hundreds—of new messages.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

What Expenses Can Entrepreneurs Deduct?
December 23, 2004 - Source: startupjournal.com- Tax-deductible business expenses are fairly straightforward. Whatever is ordinary --meaning that similar businesses would incur this expense -- and necessary for operating your business is likely to fall into the deductible category. Office equipment, business-telephone line, advertising, stationery and business cards are some of the obvious expenditures.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

End of Year Tips for Building a Better Business
December 23, 2004 - Source: smallbusinesscomputing.com- As the year 2004 comes to an end, it means different things to many entrepreneurs. For retailers, this is the time of the year when the cash register rings loudest. For service firms (save warehousing, transportation, delivery and others involved in the big Christmas sales), it generally reflects a lull in business. Regardless of your trade, the end of year offers opportunities and time to take steps toward building business and profits in the New Year ahead.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

How a Toy Store Plays to Win
December 23, 2004 - Source: businessweek.com- Debi Grymes' small shop thrives despite a nearby Wal-Mart, thanks to unique items, tea parties for little girls, and attentive service.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Build, Publish and Analyze Your Own Online Surveys
December 23, 2004 - Source: ecommerce-guide.com- Surveys have always played a critical role in developing marketing strategy and measuring user/customer response. However, creating, managing and delivering surveys hasn't always been easy or cost effective. The latest tool from the WebSurveyor Corporation, the self-titled WebSurveyor 5.0 hopes to fill that gap.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Tips on Packaging eBay Items
December 23, 2004 - Source: auctionbytes.com- I have been eBaying since 1999 and participate in Canada Town Square on eBay.ca. Here are some of the things I do to prepare my packages for shipping to eBay buyers.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Blogs connecting small firms to their clients
December 23, 2004 - Source: crmassist.com- What does this small sampling of East Bay entrepreneurs -- a private investigator, a software industry consultant, a tea merchant, and the proprietor of a shared work space -- have in common? They blog.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

The Official Step By Step Guide to Starting a Clothing Line
December 23, 2004 - Source: powerhomebiz.com- How can I start my own clothing line is a question asked by many aspiring designers. Authors Jay Arrington and Michael H. have answered this question in what might be one of the best how to books on the fashion industry written to date.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Create (and Measure) Buzz
December 23, 2004 - Source: clickz.com- Marketers can't afford to wait for the next big idea. They must create opportunities and nurture them. By leveraging the Internet to entertain, communicate with, and involve consumers, you can build buzz cost-effectively. As with 2004's most memorable online campaigns, you can create a "tipping point," that moment when an idea begins to virally spread.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

TrakAuctions Offers Free Auction Management Service
December 23, 2004 - Source: auctionbytes.com- The hardest thing about selling online is the service that comes after the sale. Just about anyone can upload an auction and have it sell, but the hardest part, once you really get selling, is managing the buyers and their expectations after the auction has ended.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Turning Fellow Entrepreneurs Into Customers
December 23, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- If you've ever tried to sell your product or service to another entrepreneur, you know how puzzling the process can be at times. Yes, you may have the greatest "whatever" since sliced bananas, but you may not be able to sway that self-made, hard-driving individual who's sitting across the desk from you. Worse yet, he or she may show initial signs of interest but for some reason (unknown to you) neglect to return your calls. How do you successfully navigate your way into an entrepreneur's heart and pocketbook and win the sale? Try these tactics.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Which Day Do I Send?
December 17, 2004 - Source: justforsmallbusiness- If you're just ramping up your small business email newsletter, you might be wondering what day you should send it to your opt-in list. After all, you want it to get opened and read and you know your prospects may be weeding through a ton of email clutter. What to do?
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Small Business Minute: Hiring your first employee
December 17, 2004 - Source: wisbusiness.com- So your home business is booming and you’re overwhelmed. Maybe it’s time to hire. For many entrepreneurs, who wanted to run a small business from a back bedroom, becoming an employer was never in the picture. But when phone calls and orders bog you down, you can’t focus on core activities like sales, marketing, customer service and new products. You need help.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Small Business: Handling clients from hell
December 17, 2004 - Source: timesonline.co.uk - One of the unavoidable problems of running your own business is having to deal with the occasional disgruntled customer. But what happens when you encounter the client from hell who complains endlessly about everything your company does and has made it his mission to make your life a misery? The answer may be just to say goodbye.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

How to Make Money on the Net
December 17, 2004 - Source: business2.com- The second Internet boom is quietly taking shape -- and this one looks like it's going to last. Here's how six innovative businesses learned from the past and have begun to make the Web work for them.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Give Site Traffic a Lift Without Spending a Lot
December 17, 2004 - Source: startupjournal.com- Many business owners are looking for ways to attract customers to their Web sites, but they don't want to "pay for clicks" -- that is, pay an Internet search engine to include their site among search-results listings. One way to increase hits is to add popular search phrases to your Web site to heighten the likelihood of it turning up on Internet searches.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Small businesses can save money with good credit score
December 17, 2004 - Source: usatoday.com- Your credit history is crucial. Most small businesses — and all new businesses — get credit based on the owner's creditworthiness. Your personal credit rating has an important impact on your business, so you'll want to know about a new federal law that entitles you to one free credit report from the three nationwide credit-reporting agencies each year.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Small firms warned of festive viruses
December 17, 2004 - Source: businesseurope.com- The latest virus to hit inboxes comes with a subject line message like "Happy Hollydays" or "Merry Christmas", disguised as a greeting from a customer or supplier.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Full Steam Ahead
December 17, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- Sure, you've heard it all before--how to start a business, what to expect, etc. But the question remains: What's it really like to start your own business. One entrepreneur shares his story about putting his startup's wheels in motion.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Microsoft Outlook Spam Filter Keywords and Phrases: Avoid Them
December 16, 2004 - Source: emailuniverse.com- If you want your emails to be read by your email list members that use Microsoft Outlook for their email program and use Microsoft's spam filtering technology, then pull up a chair and pay attention to today's Ezine-Tip as it'll help you increase your email deliverability.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

To the Rescue
December 16, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- 'Help! My office is obsolete!'' cried entrepreneurs across the land, but who needed the most help? Xerox and Entrepreneur found out with their office makeover contest--and turned a tragic office ''don't'' into a fabulous office ''do.''
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Ten Tips for Getting Customers to Up the Order
December 16, 2004 - Source: ecommerce-guide.com- You could call Lauren Freedman a site doctor. As president of the E-Tailing Group, a Chicago-based e-commerce consultancy, a wide array of online merchants seek her advice. E-commerce executives from companies like Crate and Barrel, Circuit City, the Discovery Channel and others ask her how they can increase the dollar amount of their average orders.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Finally, a Christmas tree idea that holds water
December 16, 2004 - Source: bizjournals.com- Heather Shepardson wants to get a piece of the $8 billion Christmas decoration market. She recently introduced the Ever-Green Water System, a plastic box disguised as a Christmas present. The product fits neatly under a Christmas tree, providing a 2.7-gallon reservoir of water through a plastic tube.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Year-End Shopping: Buy Now for Your Business to Save on Taxes Next April
December 15, 2004 - Source: nfib.com- If you're a small-business owner, now's the time to get into the holiday spirit and do a little shopping for your business. The benefit? Get your shopping done before the end of the year, and, come April, you can count your purchases in this fiscal year.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Understanding E-Mail for SMBs
December 15, 2004 - Source: smallbusinesscomputing.com- E-mail — it's one of the most basic tools of any small business, and yet it can cause a lot of confusion. Everyone's familiar with the To, From and Subject lines, but dig deeper into the infrastructure — both hardware and software — and e-mail gets hazy for most people. If you're starting a small business and need e-mail, or you've outgrown your current e-mail system, knowing how e-mail works and what your options are will help you find the service that's right for you.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Eliminate the Guesswork From Your Business Plan
December 15, 2004 - Source: startupjournal.com- For many would-be entrepreneurs, the prospect of writing a business plan is more daunting than running the business itself. Well, they can relax a little: Thanks to a growing cottage industry that includes books, software, Web sites and classes, it's easier than ever to put together a professional plan. And of course, if you're willing to pay, there are people who will do a lot of the work for you. Here's a look at some of those resources to help you get started.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Text Messaging: An Emerging Marketing Tool
December 15, 2004 - Source: marketingprofs.com- These days, businesses large and small are increasingly using a full range of communication methods including email, web and fax to enhance relationships with existing customers, as well as a low-cost means of acquiring new ones. Now a new communication mode, text messaging—or Short Message Service (SMS)—provides an additional and extraordinary opportunity for companies and organizations of all industries to differentiate themselves.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Find your way through the computer software maze
December 15, 2004 - Source: usatoday.com- The point of software is to make your business more effective. It is supposed to save you time and make things run more smoothly, although we all know that is not always the case. What I would like to do this week and next is to give you an idea of what software your small business really needs and the options available.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Banner Ads Click with Consumers
December 15, 2004 - Source: cio.com- Banner advertising helps companies retain customers by bringing them back to a company's Web site faster and encouraging them to spend more.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Getting Entrepreneurs Talking Online
December 15, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- No entrepreneur ever made it on his own, at least that's how George Buys feels. That's why Buys, 58, a serial entrepreneur himself, is using web conferencing site Talking Communities to bring together entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial wannabes in audio chat rooms
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Running an eBay Business: The FAQs
December 15, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- I am eager to start selling on eBay. I have always dreamed of running my own business, but I'm new at this. How do I set up my new business on eBay so that I'm in full compliance with the overwhelming number of rules and laws that apply to businesses?
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

New York City and Nigeria Top Online Fraud Spots
December 15, 2004 - Source: ecommerce-guide.com- Online merchants hoping to cash in on the increasing onslaught of holiday cyber shoppers might want to double check their customer's ZIP codes before filling any orders.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Small business loan limits up
December 14, 2004 - Source: Newsday.com - President George W. Bush last week reauthorized the U.S. Small Business Administration's 504 loan program for the next two years and increased the maximum size of loans. The loans are traditionally used for the purchase of equipment, construction, renovation, and acquisition of land.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Best Practices for Customer Success Stories
December 13, 2004 - Source: marketingprofs.com- To create successful customer reference stories, you must match your customer references to your company's target markets. If you can answer "yes" to the following two key questions, your customer success stories can play a key role in driving sales.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Some Online Marketing Annoys Your Customers
December 13, 2004 - Source: startupjournal.com- Included is a series of steps below to allow you to effectively market on the Web while not putting a bunch of innocent victims knee-deep in spam.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

The Winning Elements of Business Proposals
December 13, 2004 - Source: about.com- Unlike a business plan, which is written to run your company and raise capital, a business proposal is an unsolicited or solicited bid for business. There are two types of business proposal that can help you gain more business to grow your company.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

The Net difference can be crucial
December 13, 2004 - Source: usatoday.com- When you get an idea for a business and put your heart, mind and creativity into it, magic can happen. And that's exactly what happened to Lynne Bingham, owner of www.thestorkdelivers.com.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

RSS: Show Me the Money
December 13, 2004 - Source: wired.com- Lately there has been a lot of discussion on the net about how to make money off RSS, which, depending on whom you ask, stands for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary, but which many publishers and bloggers hope will turn into a Really Sweet (revenue) Stream.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Adding Stickiness to Your Site
December 13, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- Your site is up, so now how do you make it special and filled with content that attracts visitors and keeps them coming back? That mission consumes site-builders, both full-time professionals and part-timers, but if there is one fact we now know to be absolutely true, it is this: Simplicity is best.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

E-commerce Software Platform Delivers the Goods
December 13, 2004 - Source: ecommerce-guide.com- Some online businesses hold no inventory, instead they merely route orders to wholesalers after shoppers have plunked down their credit cards. Delightful Deliveries, which sells gift baskets, takes this process one step further. Using an e-commerce software platform built by the E One Group, the back end of the Delightful Deliveries site includes a vendor management system. Each of the site's 40 vendors, the partners that supply the site with the chocolates, flowers and baked goods it sells, logs into their own personalized page. This page provides them with a complete list of the orders placed through Delightful Deliveries that they need to fulfill.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Put Some Heart into Holiday Wishes
December 13, 2004 - Source: businessweek.com- Small outfits that pride themselves on service shouldn't forget the importance of a personal and sincere touch in yearend cards and gifts.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

What's Your Unique Business Idea?
December 10, 2004 - Source: toolkit.cch.com- Intuitively, or based on sound research, you believe your business will succeed because you are doing something different from some or all of your competitors. The first test of any business, small or large, is its uniqueness when compared to its competitors.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

'Drop shipping' makes online retailing easy
December 10, 2004 - Source: usatoday.com- Drop shipping is one of the best aspects of going into business online, enabling small players to look — and act — big. How? Drop shipping means that you do not have to actually physically stock any merchandise at all and yet it will still be able to sell online.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Email-Based Subscription Strategy ... Ends Now
December 10, 2004 - Source: emailuniverse.com- If you allow people to subscribe to your email newsletter via email, then today's Ezine-Tips will be addressing you directly. The consequences of the lesson in this tip can dramatically help you to keep your ezine and business from being blacklisted.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

ay-per-click Advertising Model Moves to the Telephone Line
December 10, 2004 - Source: inc.com- This week Citysearch, a local search website, through a partnership with technology company Cirxit, introduced a new service that promises to let local merchants track business leads based on the number of phone calls they receive.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

New Tool For Creating Online Video Ads
December 10, 2004 - Source: informationweek.com- Having found places for ads on every stationary pixel of a Web page, advertisers and online publishers are becoming comfortable with perhaps the ultimate online advertising vehicle: full-motion video.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

PPC Search Copywriting Strategies, Part 1
December 10, 2004 - Source: clickz.com- Search engine copywriting is an art. It may not seem possible to pack creativity and strategy into such short headlines and descriptions, but copy is a tool you need to win the search marketing wars.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

From Country Cottage to Multi-National Company via eBay
December 10, 2004 - Source: auctionbytes.com - How many times have you complained that packing supplies are getting more and more expensive these days? How many times have you caught yourself wishing that there was a cheaper alternative? One UK-based company decided there was money to be made offering a cheaper branded packing solution to eBay sellers. They've ended up as a Titanium Powerseller and multi-national company by selling extremely cheap branded padded envelopes, packing tape and everything else an eBay seller needs.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Choosing a Business That's Right for You
December 10, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com - How can I determine what kind of business would be best suited for me to start?
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Business Startup Basics
December 10, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- Starting a business can seem overwhelming, but don't let the details the best of you. From choosing the right form of business to avoiding tax tangles, here's everything you need to know to get started.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Password imperfect
December 09, 2004 - Source: zdnet.com- For years, Microsoft has hammered away at the security flaws in its desktop operating system. Now the company is looking to plug another security hole: weak passwords.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Tracking Down Stuff to Sell on eBay? Look to Librarians for Help
December 09, 2004 - Source: auctionbytes.com- In your never-ending quest for little known and unharvested sources of products to sell, start with your local librarian. Say what? Yes, librarians are sometimes maligned these days. With the Internet at everyone's fingertips, and seemingly the world's knowledge as a result, who needs librarians? You do.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Should You Franchise Your Business?
December 09, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- If you want to expand, but lack the money, the people and the time, it may be time to think about franchising.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

ShopSite 7.1 Helps You Build It Better
December 09, 2004 - Source: ecommerce-guide.com- ShopSite has long offered an accessible e-commerce service for small busines owners who want to develop and publish Web-based catalogs without speaking HTML. It also offers greater depth for Web site designers who want to create more sophisticated online stores. In its latest version, 7.1, it adds support for gift certificates and additional payment gateways, XML upload capabilities and intrusion detection — all of which make a first-rate product even better.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

The Latest in Business Plans-Interview with Tim Berry, CEO of Palo Alto Software
December 09, 2004 - Source: smallbusinessbrief.com Tim Berry, CEO of Palo Alto Software (www.paloalto.com), knows as much about business plans as anyone today. After all, his company’s main product is Business Plan Pro, the popular business planning software. He is a renowned planning expert. Recently, he talked about the latest trends in business plans with trend spotter, futurist and serial entrepreneur Anita Campbell. That interview is reproduced here.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Tax Deposit Rules for Small Businesses Simplified
December 08, 2004 - Source: inc.com- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced last week that it will increase the minimum threshold for Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) deposits to $500. The threshold increase is expected to reduce the paperwork burden for over 4 million small businesses.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

AdMarketplace Unveils Contextual Ad Network
December 08, 2004 - Source: clickz.com- Conducive Corporation's adMarketplace is expected Wednesday to launch its own contextual display ad network, building upon the experience it gained running eBay's keyword ad program. "We've taken a lot of the learnings from that and repackaged it a bit into maybe an AdSense version of that system," said Jim Waltz, president and CEO of Conducive, referring to Google's contextual ad program. The network officially launches with "thousands" of advertisers, Waltz said, most of which were recruited through direct sales.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

'Black Friday' Lessons For a New Store Owner
December 08, 2004 - Source: startupjournal.com- From my two years' of experience, I've learned that Black Friday isn't what I thought it would be. Yes, it's a big shopping day, and I sold quite a bit. But as a small retailer located in a mall, I've found that customers visit my store more to do window-shopping than to make purchases. Knowing this was the big difference between this year's Black Friday and my first one the year before. I had bought my store on Nov. 1, 2003, and hadn't worked in retail previously. Here's what I learned last holiday season and what I'm doing differently this year.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Choosing the Right Domain Name for Your Site
December 08, 2004 - Source: nfib.com- If you're undecided about which domain name to use or have to settle for something less than your first choice, your main concern should be choosing a domain name that is memorable, easy to say and easy to spell. If yourname.com is taken, then yourname.net, yourname.biz, yourname.info or yourname.us are worthy alternatives to consider. Here are some other tips to keep in mind when choosing a domain name for your site.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

7 Habits of Business Success
December 08, 2004 - Source: about.com- The elusive dream of business success captures the imagination of aspiring and existing business owners everywhere. A vision of flowing profits, industry respect, thrilled customers and a balanced life. This vision is only possible by developing habits that drive business success. Take the time to learn the 7 habits of business success.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Radio Heads
December 08, 2004 - Source: fortune.com- Looking for free small business advice? The Sloan brothers can help you. Their radio talk show now reaches more than 200,000 fans.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Make Marketing a Habit
December 08, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- Some business owners just don't get it. Build it and they will come? That's not the case with most businesses; it just doesn't happen that way. The solution? Market and they will come. When business owners don't think with this mindset, they're doomed for failure.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

eBay Buyers Can Recommend Products
December 08, 2004 - Source: ecommerce-guide.com- Online auction giant eBay will now give shoppers more ability to direct the sorts of items up for sale on its Web site, thanks to a new addition to its service.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Playing by BEKA's Rules
December 08, 2004 - Source: businessweek.com- The small toymaker's Jamie Kreisman on why he doesn't supply big retailers: "They want to tell you how to cut corners."
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

5 Steps to Setting Up a Wireless Network
December 07, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- Does your business need a wireless network? If you think the answer is yes, read on to discover how easy it is to set one up.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

A Modest Player in Open Source
December 07, 2004 - Source: businessweek.com- Computer geeks have helped make Martin Roesch's kitchen-table startup a $100 million outfit. His secret ingredient: A dash of humility.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Uncertain Economy Continues To Churn Out Small Home-Based Business Owners
December 03, 2004 - Source: justforsmallbusiness.com- Time-pressed entrepreneurs, who are busy trying to make their small businesses a success, just don't have the luxury of attending an off-site training class or seminar no matter how badly they need the knowledge, so they turn to the Internet for help. That's why the Small Biz Boot Camp was born.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

When Will You Be Ready To Quit Your Day Job?
December 03, 2004 - Source: startupjournal.com- I've been working a side business developing software components for about three years now. It is finally starting to take off, and some time ago I decided that I was ready to quit my high-paying engineering job and become a full-time entrepreneur. Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time deciding when exactly is the right time to make the big leap.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Five Serious Considerations (and a Checklist) for Your Next Marketing Plan
December 03, 2004 - Source: marketingprofs.com - Most businesspeople intuitively know that the key to successful marketing is having a marketing plan—a blueprint for action. However, many companies operate without one, focusing instead on the issues of the moment without committing to a long-term strategy.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Links
December 03, 2004 - Source: smallbusinessbrief.com- Has anybody ever purchased PR links to their site and if so what do you think and was it expensive? What are the pro’s and cons.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Do you Know — The Difference Between Adware and Spyware
December 03, 2004 - Source: smallbusinesscomputing.com- Spyware and adware, while not technically in either the virus or spam category, are a growing concern for Internet users. At various times these programs may invade your privacy, contain malicious code, and are — at the very least — a nuisance to anyone using an Internet-connected computer.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Quick Tips Before the Year Ends
December 03, 2004 - Source: about.com- Holiday cheer. Hustle and bustle. Hardly a time to think about small business taxes. But a quick look at these year-end tax tips for small business can pay big dividends for 2005.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

On a Tight Marketing Budget? Consider Overnight Radio Ads
December 03, 2004 - Source: nfib.com- One inexpensive method of building your business that I am quite fond of is overnight radio advertising. It offers you the chance to get the word out without racking up huge bills.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

An Online Brand Draws Customers Near and Far
December 03, 2004 - Source: startupjournal.com It can be difficult for a local business with a good reputation to extend its brand to customers who've never heard of it. That's why J&R Music World, a New York-based retailer, is finding ways to take its local business global.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

eBay Launching 'Wanted' Classifieds Feature
December 03, 2004 - Source: auctionbytes.com- eBay is creating a "Want It Now" format to allow buyers to post items they are looking for and allowing sellers to respond to buyers with eBay listings.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

13 Hot Businesses for 2005
December 03, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- From high-tech clothes to wine, eBay drop-off stores to tech security, the business ideas on our 2005 hot list run the gamut. But they have one thing in common: They're sizzling hot and just waiting for you to bring them to life.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Paymentech Merchants Will Get PayPal
December 03, 2004 - Source: ecommerce-guide.com- Online merchants handling sales through electronic payment processor Paymentech could see a significant boost, thanks to a new deal with PayPal.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Prepping for the Holidays -- Online
December 03, 2004 - Source: businessweek.com- A new survey finds small-biz owners putting more emphasis on their cyber-shops as way to grab this lucrative seasonal spending.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Most Desired Action (M.D.A.) - What's Yours?
December 02, 2004 - Source: emailuniverse.com- What's your Most Desired Action that you want your email newsletter members to do? So often we get tied up with the details of producing, delivering, promoting and managing our Ezine that we forget one of the most basic tenets: Always know your "Most Desired Action".
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Hey, How's My Business Doing?
December 02, 2004 - Source: fortune.com- Online surveys can help you keep your customers satisfied, but first, you need to ask the right questions. Here are 10 tips.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Starting a Buy-and-Sell Business
December 02, 2004 - Source: fedex.com- Thousands of people worldwide have discovered they can start a business by buying new and used products cheaply and reselling them for a profit. Find out how you can join their ranks.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

A High-Seas Adventure
December 02, 2004 - Source: businessweek.com- Tired of running the family business, one entrepreneur decided to take the plunge -- and launched himself into a new life.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Don't Forget the Fun Factor
December 01, 2004 - Source: clickz.com- Most business-to-business (B2B) e-mail is serious. I don't think I've ever written a funny one, except for one that featured a comedian as a conference's keynote presenter. But the truth is people, even mature, responsible adults, want to have fun. "Advergaming" is the new term for combining advertising with gaming, the global phenomenon popular not only with kids playing Game Boys but with adults as well.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Why Would Companies Buy Bloggers?
December 01, 2004 - Source: ensight.org- There are, in my mind, 3 ways that blogging can help companies, and it’s the same 3 ways that it helps individuals: information aggregation, knowledge management and feedback loop.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Developing a Successful Business
December 01, 2004 - Source: entrepreneur.com- Want to be a PowerSeller, open an eBay Store, or find new markets for old inventory? Take a closer look at the many ways eBay can propel your business to new heights.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Low-Cost Service Offers Help in Credit Card Security Compliance
December 01, 2004 - Source: ecommerce-guide.com- Small e-tailers facing the new Visa and MasterCard security requirements may get helping hand -- in the form of online security firm ScanAlert's Self Service Compliance offering. Designed to be cheaper than rival services, Napa, Calif.-based ScanAlert's offering provides Internet commerce sites with regular security audits and relevant documentation -- services that will come in handy as online merchants struggle to meet the vulnerability audit requirements for Visa's Cardholder Information Security Program (CISP) and MasterCard's Site Data Protection (SDP) standard.
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]

Women Lead the Startup Stats
December 01, 2004 - Source: businessweek.com- A new study finds a boom in female entrepreneurship -- and a particularly healthy gains for minority women
[Open In New Window]  [Permalink]  [Discuss In Our Forum]