Posted by: Andy on May 11th, 2006
Category: General eBusiness
Viewed: 1,162 times
While doing research for an upcoming seminar I began noticing that the technology available to small businesses, especially home based ones, is really leveling the playing field. Consider the capabilities of VOIP and its benefits on a small business.
A key benefit of working for a small business is the flexibility in working conditions such as hours etc. If we look at a small business that communicates with its clients entirely by email or telephone then VOIP could provide the staff the ability to work at home.
Because VOIP works over the Internet and not the traditional telephone line a VOIP device is portable but still functions as if it was physically connected to the business phone network. This way staff, working from home, can still make, receive and transfer calls as easily and transparently as they could if they were working in the office.
Similarly, setting up a secure VPN to the office LAN allows employees to access files and systems from remote locations.
Taking this one step further and looking at costly overhead such as office space and furniture expenses allowing staff to work from home even for a few days a week and sharing desk space with coworkers is an efficient use of capital and operating funds.
Technologies such as VOIP and VPN are only a small part of the growing number of applications, systems and devices that are assisting small businesses successfully compete on a much larger scale.
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Posted by: Andy on May 8th, 2006
Category: General eBusiness
Viewed: 982 times
Here are the final 2 in the 10 Ways to Market Your Website series.
Ask Visitors to Bookmark Your Website
A simple yet effective promotion technique is to request your visitors to bookmark your site. The more your site is bookmarked, the greater the chances of repeat visits.
Develop a “Free” Service
Offer free information and tools on your site that can be used by your online visitors. It’s one thing to say, “Come to our site and learn about our business.” It’s quite another to say, “Use the free kitchen remodeling calculator available exclusively on our site.” Make sure that your free service is closely related to what you are selling so the visitors you attract will be good prospects for your business. Give visitors multiple opportunities and links to cross over to the sales part of your site.
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Posted by: Andy on May 2nd, 2006
Category: General eBusiness
Viewed: 926 times
Promote Your Site in Mailing Lists and News Groups
The Internet offers thousands of very targeted mailing lists and news groups made up of people with very specialized interests. Use Google Groups (www.groups.google.com) to find appropriate sources. Don’t bother with news groups constituted of pure “spam”. Instead, find groups where a dialog is taking place. Don’t use aggressive marketing and overtly plug your product or service, even if you see others doing so. Rather, add to the discussion in a helpful way and let the “signature” at the end of your email message do your marketing for you. People will gradually get to know and trust you, visit your site, and do business with you.
Announce a Contest
People like getting something free. If you publicize a contest or draw available on your site, you’ll often generate more traffic than normal.
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