Website Design: Don’t Let Your First Impression Be Your Last

The other day, I looked up a restaurant website to tell a friend about a great meal I enjoyed. Instead, I found myself making excuses for their lousy website, which was a poor reflection of their excellent food and service.

Website Design: Don't Let Your First Impression Be Your Last

Does your website possibly give the wrong impression of your business? It’s helpful to look at your site through the eyes of…

…A first-timer.

Can you tell what your business is all about from the homepage? Make sure your website quickly answers the basics. Make it easy to find your contact name, address, phone numbers, business hours, email address, and a map.…

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How to Choose an Online Fax Service

It’s 2013, and you know that faxing is an antiquated technology. At the same time, you realize that some people still use it, and it’s unprofessional not to have a fax number if someone requests it.

An online fax service is a technology that bridges old world faxing with new(er) world email.   These services provide you with a dedicated fax number with which you can send and receive faxes without the use of a fax machine or a phone line using only email and an Internet connection.

How to Choose an Online Fax Service

There are a number of companies that provide these services like eFax, RingCentral and Nextiva, and they are all cheaper than the cost of a traditional fax line, but these services have subtle yet important differences that could mean the difference between your satisfaction and unending frustration.…

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To Connect With Customers, Invest in Yourself First

Freelancers and consultants are becoming much more the norm by the year for a variety of reasons. More people are taking their careers into their own hands, desiring the flexibility to work when they wish and with clients they covet.

But another form of flexibility shows itself at times that will help propel you from one level to the next. The small business owners who can show a range of talents, from writing copy to choosing good design, are the people who can make the most of their meetings and chats with potential clients.

Within any profession, attending continuing education courses and reading relevant journals and publications will keep someone’s skills fresh and polished.…

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The 3 Best Ways To Market Your Small Business

The 3 Best Ways To Market Your Small Business

When you are looking to market your small business, it’s important to find ways to get the most out of money spent. You want to get the most out of all your efforts because it’s likely your budget is limited.

Here are the three best ways to market your small business.

  1. Paper Marketing –  Paper marketing can be your best friend. Tried and true, it still works. It’s all about working smarter, not harder. People still like something they can touch. Sending out birthday coupons, fundraising campaign requests, holiday promotions, customer appreciation cards and more can be a really great way to connect with your current and potential customer base and works really well as part of your online campaigns as well.
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Some Digital Signage Solutions That Can Streamline Company Communications

“I didn’t get the memo.” This is one statement that you often hear from employees – a possible excuse for not dressing up in formal corporate attire on a supposedly casual dress day, or not being able to attend a meeting, or not preparing a report or document that needs to be submitted ASAP.

In traditional company practices, memos are either tacked onto corkboards on one corner of the room or slipped into each employee’s desk – two tactics which, quite honestly, does not guarantee that every individual will be able to receive an important message or pass on an urgent announcement.…

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How Conference Calling Aids Your Business’ Success

How Conference Calling Aids Your Business' SuccessBusiness conference calls simply put, is a phone call which involves three or more people. Regardless of the geographical locations of the participants, they are enabled to participate at an arranged time via the telephone whether it’s to resolve an urgent business issue or to brainstorm.

Conference calling is now a crucial factor in a business’ success as most businesses are always on the search for effective ways that will enable their employees to finish as much work as possible in the least amount of time and money.

One of the most important benefits of conference calling is that it allows businesses to save time and money.…

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How SMBs Can Build And Maintain An Effective Website

We are in a tough economic climate where SMBs need to work effectively to gain the edge over their competitors. With confusion over copyright and the proliferation of “˜do it yourself’ website builders, many business owners are left feeling unsure about how to create their own site which will stand out, be effective at securing new business and suit their needs, but which will also be copyright compliant.

Businesses need to look to communicate their brand values and unique selling propositions successfully and in this online-driven society, so an easy-to-use website with strong visuals is key. The visual language used on a website must represent the company’s values and connect with its customers.…

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Three Pieces Of Advice For New Entrepreneurs

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It’s been 18 years since I’ve been a new entrepreneur, but that’s only given me time to figure out what I didn’t know that I didn’t know then. Looking back, I would have given anything to have someone whispering in my ear these three fundamentals about new business:

1. Build a solid, but flexible business plan.

Every successful business has a strong and comprehensive business plan to guide the company through the years. It’s impossible to predict the future, but prepare for all you can.  Spend extensive time planning, and then once you think you have it, keep working.

With that said, a business plan isn’t set in stone.…

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Serviced Office Vs. Virtual Office – What’s Good For Your Business

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If you’re just starting out in the business world and are looking for office premises, you have two options in front of you: A Serviced Office, or a Virtual Office. You can choose either option, but it’s best to know which one is best suited for your business before you take the plunge.

A Serviced Office

A serviced office is an actual office that’s rented out to a tenant by a serviced office provider. The provider might have a bunch of such offices in the same building. Such an office gives you all the advantages of having your own office space, without actually having to own one.…

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Hiring? Don’t Lose Your Loyal Customers in the Process

Good news! The economy is picking back up, or so they say. Regardless of the politics, a quick survey of business windows does show a surge in “now hiring” signs. This is great news for both the growing business and the thousands of job seekers still looking for jobs”¦or is it?

I talk with many job seekers from all stages of life and all levels of education and there is a common theme to each of the conversations. Businesses are forgetting that their applicants are most likely also some of their biggest fans. People apply to work for the companies that they know and love.…

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