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Atricle Dump - Taking Your Business Online: Tips for Launching a Small Business Web Site
As we all work hard to grow in our careers, we must not lose sight of what is most important in life. Sure, it's great to drive a great car, live in a comfortable neighborhood and "keep up with the Joneses," but there is more to it all than that. At the root of everything is providing for our families, which are there for us through thick and thin. They are the real reason for our hard work and sacrifice.When you see wealthy neighborhoods, they are impressive. Big homes, well manicured lawns with gardeners to tend to them, and usually, an expensive car in the driveway. Behind every one of those lovely places is a hardworking person or people, who devote much time and energy to affording such a lifestyle. Some have to work harder than others, but in general it is a big job to keep the bills paid on upscale homes.As a child, we lived in one of those homes. It was seven stories tall and was built into the side of a cliff formed by glacial rock. Though it didn't have an elevator, all our neighbors called it, the "Elevator House" because it was t
Web Design Firm or Independent Programmer? Web design firms are not your only option when it comes to launching a Web site. There are many independent programmers out there who can provide the same service as a design firm, and for less money. Most of these programmers worked for design firms before striking out on their own.
There are advantages and disadvantages, of course. Independent programmers may be less expensive, but you are limited to receiving only the service that particular programmer is skilled in. If you decide to add a component to your site that your programmer cannot develop for you, you’ll have to pay someone else to do it. Most design firms employ programmers of all capabilities in order to meet customer requests, and
Every business model needs a public relations strategy even a Hot Dog Vendor; Seriously and why not? Yet you are now laughing and want to find out what on Earth a Hot Doggie Vendor can do for public relations and community goodwill. Well do not laugh too long, because it just so happens that they make excellent Neighborhood Business Watch Program participants and it also can bolster hot dog sales too. Consider if you will the current hot dog vendor business model;HOT DOG VENDORS: You cannot get any closer to grass roots than this. Hot Dog Vendors and other street vendors sit in one spot and talk to people all day. If they have a sign on their cart for all to see, you program will benefit greatly. Passers by will learn of the program and regular customers will often volunteer to join in after a few weeks of seeing the sign. These types of vendors tend to know a lot of people and can even hand out flyers to all their customers for a couple of weeks as the program gets going. You will be shocked how well this works. People use the Hot Dog vendors for
The decision to launch a Web site for a business owner has gone from “if” to “when,” in just a decade. However, the expectations of your average site visitor have also changed in that time. Cheap, home-made Web sites are no longer acceptable. The site you create for your business is a stamp on its credibility; therefore the process of designing and launching one must be taken seriously and considered to be an earnest business investment.
If you were to invest in new equipment, new vehicles, or even new employees for your business, you would take the time necessary to seek out the best, most cost-effective, most-qualified selection. You certainly wouldn’t buy the first truck you saw at the dealership, or hire the first person who walked into your office. The same time and care must be taken when choosing a Web designer. Here are some tips to finding the right designer, asking the right questions, and what to expect when launching a Web site for your business:
Do not race to find a Web designer. What’s the rush? Finding the right Web designer is like finding the right architect to build a new business office. The time you spend looking at Web sites, asking friends and colleagues, and viewing portfolios is well worth it if you consider what it would cost to rebuild your site with someone else when the designer you hastily hired fails to meet your needs.
When you see a Web site you like, check out who designed it. This information is usually available in the bottom of the page. Or, contact the business and ask. If they are happy with the job done by the designer, they’ll be more than willing to refer you!
When you do narrow your decision down to a few designers, check out their Web sites for look and feel and thoroughly examine their portfolios.
Bring samples. Surf the Web and determine the kinds of things you like and don’t like before ever walking into the office of a Web design firm. If you have an idea of what you want your site to look like, express it – even if it means providing an embarrassingly rough drawing on your own. Web designers are very creative people, but if you don’t give them some direction, they’ll create without your input.
You have to be specific. Don’t tell your designer you want a “cool” site. While it’s true that you may want a cool site, you should bring to the table the types of things you imagine to be cool. Your designer is there to help you determine the best style for your site, so don’t be afraid to provide specific examples of how you’d like your site to look.
Get it in writing. As with any other business partnership, you must get everything in writing. This means going beyond the initial contract you and your designer sign. Keep notes during meetings and save every e- mail and written communication. There may be times when things are decided during “casual” meetings, such as when certain site elements will be completed, or something as simple as adding a graphic or two. By tracking these conversations, you will have a record to return to if things go off track or off schedule.
Web Design Firm or Independent Programmer? Web design firms are not your only option when it comes to launching a Web site. There are many independent programmers out there who can provide the same service as a design firm, and for less money. Most of these programmers worked for design firms before striking out on their own.
There are advantages and disadvantages, of course. Independent programmers may be less expensive, but you are limited to receiving only the service that particular programmer is skilled in. If you decide to add a component to your site that your programmer cannot develop for you, you’ll have to pay someone else to do it. Most design firms employ programmers of all capabilities in order to meet customer requests, and
Of course, you have to isolate each individual ezine traffic source for this to be effective. Why not just advertise in one ezine at a time? In that case, you would eventually determine which are better than others, but at the cost of time. By advertising in multiple ezines at one time, you can get faster results, so you can begin to regularly advertise in the ezine(s) that produces the best results.Probably more important than that is for you to be able to immediately see the difference between each ezine source. For example, if you only advertise in one at a time, your first two ads might be extremely effective, and you will gain a false sense of confidence in the effectiveness of ezine ads. On the other hand, your first few ezine ads could be complete losses, and you would then get a false sense of aversion to ezine advertising.The bottom line is, if you select a budget, and then spread out several ezine ads, then you can get a realistic picture of what ezine advertising can and cannot do for you.So how do you actually do the
If you were to invest in new equipment, new vehicles, or even new employees for your business, you would take the time necessary to seek out the best, most cost-effective, most-qualified selection. You certainly wouldn’t buy the first truck you saw at the dealership, or hire the first person who walked into your office. The same time and care must be taken when choosing a Web designer. Here are some tips to finding the right designer, asking the right questions, and what to expect when launching a Web site for your business:
Do not race to find a Web designer. What’s the rush? Finding the right Web designer is like finding the right architect to build a new business office. The time you spend looking at Web sites, asking friends and colleagues, and viewing portfolios is well worth it if you consider what it would cost to rebuild your site with someone else when the designer you hastily hired fails to meet your needs.
When you see a Web site you like, check out who designed it. This information is usually available in the bottom of the page. Or, contact the business and ask. If they are happy with the job done by the designer, they’ll be more than willing to refer you!
When you do narrow your decision down to a few designers, check out their Web sites for look and feel and thoroughly examine their portfolios.
Bring samples. Surf the Web and determine the kinds of things you like and don’t like before ever walking into the office of a Web design firm. If you have an idea of what you want your site to look like, express it – even if it means providing an embarrassingly rough drawing on your own. Web designers are very creative people, but if you don’t give them some direction, they’ll create without your input.
You have to be specific. Don’t tell your designer you want a “cool” site. While it’s true that you may want a cool site, you should bring to the table the types of things you imagine to be cool. Your designer is there to help you determine the best style for your site, so don’t be afraid to provide specific examples of how you’d like your site to look.
Get it in writing. As with any other business partnership, you must get everything in writing. This means going beyond the initial contract you and your designer sign. Keep notes during meetings and save every e- mail and written communication. There may be times when things are decided during “casual” meetings, such as when certain site elements will be completed, or something as simple as adding a graphic or two. By tracking these conversations, you will have a record to return to if things go off track or off schedule.
Web Design Firm or Independent Programmer? Web design firms are not your only option when it comes to launching a Web site. There are many independent programmers out there who can provide the same service as a design firm, and for less money. Most of these programmers worked for design firms before striking out on their own.
There are advantages and disadvantages, of course. Independent programmers may be less expensive, but you are limited to receiving only the service that particular programmer is skilled in. If you decide to add a component to your site that your programmer cannot develop for you, you’ll have to pay someone else to do it. Most design firms employ programmers of all capabilities in order to meet customer requests, and
Many salespeople believe that between Thanksgiving and January 2nd people stop buying and become preoccupied with celebrating and eating. Quite the contrary! People are more in a buying spirit than at any other time of the year. It doesn’t matter whether you sell computers, real estate, automobiles, widgets, office furniture or anything else, the world doesn’t grind to a halt just because it is the holiday season. Have you been operating under the belief that you are going to sell less or nothing at all during this period of time? If so you may be setting yourself up for failure.There is a psychological principle that states – you get what you focus on and expect. If you are not familial with the Pygmalian Effect I suggest you check it out. To save you some time it is basically what I have just said – you tend to get in reality what you expect in your mind. There are several things for you to consider, so the bottom doesn’t fall out of your sales results during this time of year as well as give you a slow start into 2005.1. Conduct
When you see a Web site you like, check out who designed it. This information is usually available in the bottom of the page. Or, contact the business and ask. If they are happy with the job done by the designer, they’ll be more than willing to refer you!
When you do narrow your decision down to a few designers, check out their Web sites for look and feel and thoroughly examine their portfolios.
Bring samples. Surf the Web and determine the kinds of things you like and don’t like before ever walking into the office of a Web design firm. If you have an idea of what you want your site to look like, express it – even if it means providing an embarrassingly rough drawing on your own. Web designers are very creative people, but if you don’t give them some direction, they’ll create without your input.
You have to be specific. Don’t tell your designer you want a “cool” site. While it’s true that you may want a cool site, you should bring to the table the types of things you imagine to be cool. Your designer is there to help you determine the best style for your site, so don’t be afraid to provide specific examples of how you’d like your site to look.
Get it in writing. As with any other business partnership, you must get everything in writing. This means going beyond the initial contract you and your designer sign. Keep notes during meetings and save every e- mail and written communication. There may be times when things are decided during “casual” meetings, such as when certain site elements will be completed, or something as simple as adding a graphic or two. By tracking these conversations, you will have a record to return to if things go off track or off schedule.
Web Design Firm or Independent Programmer? Web design firms are not your only option when it comes to launching a Web site. There are many independent programmers out there who can provide the same service as a design firm, and for less money. Most of these programmers worked for design firms before striking out on their own.
There are advantages and disadvantages, of course. Independent programmers may be less expensive, but you are limited to receiving only the service that particular programmer is skilled in. If you decide to add a component to your site that your programmer cannot develop for you, you’ll have to pay someone else to do it. Most design firms employ programmers of all capabilities in order to meet customer requests, and
Most business owners can understand a profit and loss statement but are very confused when it comes to balance sheets.Let’s start with a couple of definitions.Assets are the things you own and are divided into current assets and fixed assets. A current asset is something you own that will be used in the next twelve months. Examples include; cash, accounts receivable, notes receivable, inventory.Fixed assets are those things that will last longer than twelve months. Examples include; vehicles, house, room additions, and equipment. Assets are used in the production of income.Liabilities are the obligations of the business and are divided into two groups, current and long-term. Current assets are those obligations that will come due in less than twelve months and long-term are those that are longer than twelve months. Examples include: accounts payable, payroll tax liabilities, and lines of credit.Long term liabilities include bank loans and loans from owners. These are obligations that the business must pay for the
You have to be specific. Don’t tell your designer you want a “cool” site. While it’s true that you may want a cool site, you should bring to the table the types of things you imagine to be cool. Your designer is there to help you determine the best style for your site, so don’t be afraid to provide specific examples of how you’d like your site to look.
Get it in writing. As with any other business partnership, you must get everything in writing. This means going beyond the initial contract you and your designer sign. Keep notes during meetings and save every e- mail and written communication. There may be times when things are decided during “casual” meetings, such as when certain site elements will be completed, or something as simple as adding a graphic or two. By tracking these conversations, you will have a record to return to if things go off track or off schedule.
Web Design Firm or Independent Programmer? Web design firms are not your only option when it comes to launching a Web site. There are many independent programmers out there who can provide the same service as a design firm, and for less money. Most of these programmers worked for design firms before striking out on their own.
There are advantages and disadvantages, of course. Independent programmers may be less expensive, but you are limited to receiving only the service that particular programmer is skilled in. If you decide to add a component to your site that your programmer cannot develop for you, you’ll have to pay someone else to do it. Most design firms employ programmers of all capabilities in order to meet customer requests, and
I was out for a quick afternoon snack and stopped by a local Jack In The Box. I looked over the items and pulled up to the microphone to place my order. I was greeted, “Welcome to the world’s best Jack In The Box. How may I help you?”I laughed at the greeting. Had I somehow stumbled on what was indeed the best Jack In The Box restaurant in the world? Or had I stopped in at a fast-food restaurant, which thought of itself as the embodiment of the world’s best Jack In The Box? Or, had I (which was most likely) simply chanced upon a very sarcastic employee? Over the microphone and speaker communications system, you would think that sarcasm would be easy to detect, and yet I was coming up with zero indicators. I would have to wait for a face-to-face meeting to decide on the intent of the greeting.I pulled up to the service window. A friendly face took my money, gave out my order, and wished me a good day. There was no sarcasm. There was only efficiency and a genuine friendliness. He name was Carmen.As I drove away I promised myself to send
Web Design Firm or Independent Programmer? Web design firms are not your only option when it comes to launching a Web site. There are many independent programmers out there who can provide the same service as a design firm, and for less money. Most of these programmers worked for design firms before striking out on their own.
There are advantages and disadvantages, of course. Independent programmers may be less expensive, but you are limited to receiving only the service that particular programmer is skilled in. If you decide to add a component to your site that your programmer cannot develop for you, you’ll have to pay someone else to do it. Most design firms employ programmers of all capabilities in order to meet customer requests, and their services are part of the deal when you hire the firm.
Independent programmers are harder to locate than design firms. Part of what makes an independent programmer less expensive is the fact that he or she does not have the same overhead as a design firm. Advertising is expensive.
If you think you would rather use an independent programmer than a design firm, return to your friends and colleagues and ask around. If you resort to an online directory or your local telephone book, use the same process of selection as you would a design firm: ask to see samples and a portfolio. However, getting a programmer recommendation from someone you trust is best. Not all programmers are created equal and an impressive portfolio does not convey an individual’s customer service skills.
Making Edits and Changes: the waiting game. When you hire a Web design firm to create and launch your business’s Web site, you are at the mercy of their busy schedule. You must request edits and changes be made for you, and they may not be made as quickly as you’d like them to be.
Some Web design firms provide customers with site administration tools that allow you to make simple changes and updates as needed. This type of technology can be more expensive, but worth it if it gives you more control of your site.
Understand what you’re paying for. Determining the look and feel of your Web site (the design) and actually building the site are two different processes of launching a Web site. Be sure to understand what is included in your contract and what will cost extra. If you wish to add an eNewsletter sign-up, will it cost more? Will you be charged for every E- commerce transaction? What will it cost to accept credit card payments on your site? These are the questions you need to ask when negotiating prices and deliverables.
You may be responsible for setting up your own business’s and then work with a programmer to incorporate it into your site. Web hosting fees are an additional cost you must consider, as well.
Find out if your site is being built from scratch or from templates. Many designers use pre-made templates, which can bring down the cost of building the web site. Designers who create your site from scratch may actually own the source code, which limits your ability to move the site later on, if you wish to. Be sure to ask your designer up front how he or she intends to build your site and get written or legal documentation of the ownership source codes so you don’t run into disputes down the road.
Be patient, but attentive. Designing a professional Web site is not an overnight project. It takes time to create and construct the Web site you want. However, every day you and the designer spend tweaking the site is another day you are unable to advertise the site, attract visitors to the site, or sell products online. Be patient with your designer, but keep track of the agreed schedule.
I also recommend hiring an attorney who is versed in E-commerce businesses. You will need one to write the “Terms and Policies” for the web site, as well as proofing the site for any legal complications that may come up.
Imagine your Web site as a storefront. If you were building a brick and mortar business on main street, you would: 1) find the right contractor; 2) have an idea of how you want your business to look and what you want it to contain; 3) expect the project to ta
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