Email Etiquette
In order to effeciently communicate on the Internet it is critical to understand the unwritten rules of email communication. Please use these tips as a guideline to online email communication.

1.) Unless you are using encryption, Internet E-mail is not secure.
2.) Do not use all capitals in email exchanges, it is considered SHOUTING and is considered rude.
3.) Keep in mind that the Internet is international, words and humor can be perceived differently by different cultures.
4.) When replying to messages be aware of "cc:" field. Recipients listed in the "cc:" field will receive a copy of the post. (The "bcc:" field sends messages blind, meaning recipients don't know that someone else has received a copy of the email or been carbon copied)
5.) Use emoticons :-) or to indicate expression.
6.) When forwarding email be sure not to create a loop in the system. In addition, be sure not to setup auto-responders to reply to every email, or endless loops will be created.
7.) There can be costs associated with Internet connectivity and downloading emails. Do not send attachments that take a long time to download, without the recipients consent.
8.) Include in the "subject" line a heading that relates to the message body.
9.) Use 4-6 lines for your signature line, this is an opportunity to highlight your business or company information, but don't be ostentatious..

Mailing Lists & Newsgroup Etiquette
In order to participate in news groups, you must have an understanding of newsgroup etiquette.

1.) Be familiar with lists/newsgroups prior to posting, read posting.
2.) Keep in mind that newsgroups and mailing lists are frequently archived and that posts will be preserved.
3.) If you are replying to a message be sure to include the text of the original message which you are replying to. Use ">" indicators if your mail program does not do this for you.
4.) Don't get involved in flame wars (or material which is personal and unproductive).
5.) Keep in mind that the Internet is international, words and humor can be perceived differently by different cultures.
6.) Use 4-6 lines for your signature line, this is an opportunity to highlight your business or company information, but don't be ostentatious..
7.) When responding to a post, keep the subject line the same, so that it will appear in the same thread.
8.) Cross posting to multiple lists is often prohibited. Read posting guidelines.
9.) Expect delays in moderated forums, each posting must be approved.
10.) Anonymous posts are unaccepted in many newsgroups.
11.) Be aware that some people use aliases when posting to Usenet groups to avoid SPAM (unsolicited email). Also keep in mind that anything goes on unmoderated Usenet.
12.) Most lists don't allow for binary attachments.

Resources -
Library of Emoticons - http://www.instant-messaging-software.com/instant-messaging-emoticons.htm
Library of Email Acronyms - http://www.email-software.org/email-acronyms.htm
Email Client Software - http://www.messaging-software.net/e-mail-client-software.htm

About the Author -
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com , and http://www.small-business-software.net

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

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Email Management
If you utilize a computer at home or work it is likely that you use email. Email is an electronic message that is sent from one computer to another following a specific protocol (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol or SMTP). As email's popularity has grown so too have the inherent problems with email.

In order to send email you must have the exact spelling of the email address. If there are any typographical errors in the recipient's email address then an unintended recipient could receive the email message. When creating an email address avoid characters that cause confusion, like the number 1 (one) and the letter l (el), computer fonts often cause those two characters to have similar appearances. Try to create an email address that cannot easily be misspelled.

As email has become a popular communication medium the email address should not be too long or complicated, but easily said in a phone message. Choose an email address that is easy for others to remember, as a pen is not always handy.

Unfortunately spam, unsolicited email has become common place, though many countries are taking action to make spamming illegal, these measures will unlikely have any short term effect on your email inbox. Many email clients that are used to read and respond to email messages, include basic filtering options that will sort your email messages into folders, based on rules that you define. Email messages can typically be stored and filtered by sender, subject and contents. There are also a number of 3rd party tools available for limiting the amount of spam received. Spam filters typically use different filtering technologies. When evaluating whether a spam solution fits your needs consider sorting filtered email into a specific mailbox for review prior to deletion. This will prevent any important messages from being unintentionally deleted.

As with almost anything, the best defense is a good offense. It is best not to post your email address in public forums, where spammers can harvest it. If you have a website consider typing out the email address: 'name at domain.com', without using the "@" symbol, as this will prevent the address from being abused by email harvesting bots. Another alternative is to provide a contact form rather than an email address.

Resources: Email Clients - http://www.messaging-software.net/e-mail-client-software.htm
Spam Filters - http://www.email-software.org/spam-filter-software.htm

About the Author -
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com , and http://www.small-business-software.net

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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Internet Communication Vehicles
Email, Instant Messaging, Blogs, RSS, Forums and Listservs: What's Next?

By S. Housley

How do we keep Internet communication simple? Let's start by taking a look at the different methods used to communicate on the web. It is important to understand the nuances and benefits of the different forms.

Email
This is the most popular communication method. Users typically use desktop software to receive, read and respond to messages. Some users use web-based mail and manage messages in a web browser like Internet Explorer. The downfall to email communication is that anyone can send email messages to anyone else if they have (or guess) the correct email address. This system's Achilles heel is its simplicity and universal popularity.

Email accounts are often burdened by spam or unsolicited email. Despite software developers having created complex spam filters and legislators having introduced new anti-spam legislation, the problem persists and spam continues to burden email as a messaging medium.

Email Clients - http://www.messaging-software.net/e-mail-client-software.htm
Spam Software - http://www.email-software.org/spam-filter-software.htm


Instant Messaging
Instant messaging allows users to "chat" in real time. Users can send text messages to anyone online and receive instant replies if the user is also online. The "instant" fad gave way to parental fears as children made "friends" online. With no way to confirm if "friends" are who they represent themselves to be, and multiple security holes, instant messaging has taken a back seat in internet communication.

Instant Messaging - http://www.instant-messaging-software.com

Blogs
Online journals and daily diaries have taken hold. Some blogs are interactive, allowing users to respond and comment on posts. Locating topic-specific blogs that provide relevant and interesting content on a daily basis can be a challenge. The nature of a blog is to contain fresh public content. As our lives become more complicated blogs are often abandoned, as they require constant updating.

Blog Connections - http://www.blog-connection.com

RSS
RSS is the latest messaging medium and shows genuine promise as a means to communicate. RSS files are produced as XML files and are designed to provide content summaries of news or information. The biggest benefit to RSS is that it does not have the spam issues inherent to email; users opt-in to the RSS feeds that interest them.

RSS Specifications - http://www.rss-specifications.com

Forums / Newsgroups
A forum is an online discussion group. Forums can be newsgroups, or they can be web-based discussion groups. Forums have proven themselves as valuable business resources - often creating communities of customers helping customers. Without moderation and oversight they can potentially create an unfriendly environment.

Message Board Software - http://www.messaging-software.net/message-board-software.htm


Listservs
Liststervs are mailing list programs for communicating with other people who have subscribed to the same list. Using e-mail, you can participate in listservs pertaining to your topics of interest. When you submit a message to the server, your message is relayed to all on the listserv. You receive messages from other participants via e-mail.

Yahoo Groups - http://www.yahoogroups.com

What's Next?
Internet communication is intrinsically tied to the hardware options available. Wireless technology has accelerated the development of messaging software, opening the market to a dizzying array of devices for web access. Where we were once tied to a keyboard and mouse, we will soon be navigating the web with our voices from a moving automobile, or browsing via screens in our eyewear, with tiny cameras reading our eye movements to move the cursor and make selections. Our interactive conversations will include more and more participants at once. Evaluating the many options and choosing what works best for you is the first step to effectively communicating on the web.


About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found at http://www.feedforall.com , http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com , and http://www.small-business-software.net

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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What is Relationship Networking?
Relationship networking is simply the art of meeting people and benefiting from those relationships. Often the benefit of these relationship is to obtain information and leads to further grow your business. Any successful relationship, whether a personal or a business relationship, is unique to every pair of individuals, and it evolves over time. Effective relationship networking is all about building those relationships and maintaining long lasting connections with other professionals.

The Internet is an excellent vehicle for networking. Relationships can develop in newsgroups, forums, and via email. Though nothing really beats good old-fashioned face-to-face networking to start the process of building a relationship and trust, which is why industry conferences can be so important.

Not all contacts will be useful or worth pursuing. There will be leads that don't provide much information. Use your judgment on whether the information and relationship is worth spending more time on.

Relationship networking opens new doors, often it's "who you know, not necessarily what you know".

Tip to Build Network Relationships:
1. Provide genuine assistance to others.
2. Be open-minded.
3. Remember personal details.
4. Respect cultural differences.
5. Research people and companies. Know their goals and interests.
6. Reciprocate.
7. Introductions.

Where to Network:
So many people wear multiple hats; everyone and anyone could possibly be a networking opportunity. However, just like targeted search engine traffic, the more targeted the networking the higher the chance of success. 'Targeted' networking offers the most potential.
1. Trade associations or industry specific organization.
2. Trade shows.
3. Friends.
4. Schools.
5. Focused newsgroups and topic specific forums.
6. Customers.
7. Suppliers.
8. User groups.

Constantly refine and grow your network of relationships, as they are valuable and need cultivating. If you are perceived as someone who is only trying to get something your network will likely not increase. Networking is about building relationships and mutual interaction benefiting both parties. Share information and help others grow their businesses.

In many ways relationship networking and partnering overlap, and on some occasion's relationship networking will lead to synergistic partnering.

Partnering
Partnering is an attractive flexible way for companies to develop new markets and additional revenue. Working together, partners can combine strengths in critical areas. Often a larger well-known vendor provides small vendors with credibility, while the smaller vendor contributes specific industry knowledge unknown to the larger vendor. Synergistic relationships come in all shapes and sizes, but the best relationships and partnerships are the ones that benefit everyone. Partnering is a good way of tapping into related customer bases. Often the partners complement each other in such a way that they can provide a combined solution that neither partner could deliver alone.

Expectations
In order for a relationship to work you must have a clear understanding of both your companies and product(s) strengths and weaknesses. By being aware of any deficiencies, you will find partners with strengths in the areas of your weaknesses.

1. Know what you have to offer.
2. Know what you are looking for.
3. Don't waste yours and your potential partner's time.

Different relationships/partnering that works:
1. Product bundling.
2. Newsletter exchanges.
3. Integrations.
4. Link exchanges.
5. Technology or knowledge exchange.
6. Revenue share.
7. Ad exchange.

Win/Win
Only when each partner is successful can the partnership itself claim success. Partnerships are genuinely a win-win. Developers, who master the art of strategic partnering and relationship networking, will obtain long-term profitability and success.

Final Tips
1.) Qualify sources.
2.) Adage - you are who you hang with.
3.) Not every relationship is a good one.
4.) Evaluate potential partners.
5.) Make it personal by taking the time to say thank you.
6.) Results are not always immediate.
7.) Carry business cards everywhere you go.

Being proactive and following up, you can have a network of contacts that you will be able to access quickly when you need them. Whether by more traditional means, such as in person or over the Internet, personal networks are essential for furthering your business. Relationship networking is give and take, be sure to help others in your quest for help.

About the Author -
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com , and http://www.small-business-software.net

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

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Globalization
Globalize Your Website
The Internet has unlocked a wide array of markets and knocked down barriers that previously prevented merchants from marketing their products on a global scale. There are a number of ways to 'globalize' a website and broaden a businesses general appeal to an international audience.

1.) Payment Options - vary from country to country, therefore offering flexible payment options are important. While PayPal might be a good option for consumer-oriented products, this service is not widely used by businesses and is only available to customers in specific countries. In order to attract global customers, businesses must provide a variety of payment options that customers, in different countries, are familiar and comfortable with.

2.) Currency Distinction - provides added convenience to a potential customer, and shows an understanding and respect for global audiences. A currency converter is a good option, especially for large companies who may be dealing with many countries. When listing prices clearly indicate the country currency, such as between US dollars and Canadian dollars. This distinction will prevent misconceptions and prevent customer dissatisfaction.

3.) Contact Information - should be given for a country code, along with the area code, when listing phone numbers. It should not be assumed that customers know the numbers to dial foreign calls. Since the standards of address formats can differ from country to country, ensure that the mailing address listed on the website is properly formatted. In this time of rapidly expanding use of numbers, if your area code changes, don't forget to change the information on your website.

4.) Delivery Options - should make sense for all customers. Ensure that they have full knowledge of shipping information to avoid delay and error. If a shipping option is not available for a specific region be sure that is clearly stated on the website. Provide estimates as to when the product will arrive to various regions, so that customers have appropriate expectations about delivery time frames.

5.) Order Forms - when creating order forms use terminology that is universal; if possible, where relevant, refer to postal codes rather than zip codes. The terminology on the order form should support the fact that the company sells to an international audience.

6.) Payment Policy - clearly state payment policies on any order pages, if purchase orders or wire transfers are not accepted from specific countries be sure that the policy is clearly stated. Prepare an explanation as to why the policies are in place. Customers understand that foreign purchase orders are not legally binding and will not feel alienated if an explanation is offered and clearly stated.

7.) Spelling - can vary, so avoid using terminology on the website that would cause confusion or look like careless spelling mistakes. Be clear and concise as many customers may be viewing your website in their second language. A website that can be viewed in different languages is all the better for communicating with foreign customers.

Ultimately the goal is to make purchasing the product or service easy for a customer. A website that respects cultural differences, as well as the nuances of language and terminology, will go a long way in attracting an international audience.

About the Author -
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com , and http://www.small-business-software.net

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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Acceptable Response
What is an Acceptable Response?
Many online marketers work odd hours, with no beginning of the day and no real end. How does this impact support and customer service inquiries? Some small businesses are afraid to reply to customer queries off-hours, fearful that the message time-stamp will betray them as a small business. The Internet however is timeless. The fact is customers appreciate a quick response. With the globalization of the Internet federal holidays are blurred. Customers expect timely responses and often make little note of the time zone the vendor they are working with.

While large corporate businesses have a large amount of resources (staff and money) for sales, customer service and marketing are often tied to traditional methods of communication with customers. Sales are in person; customer service is over the phone and marketing by advertising and mail. Email is often used to funnel customers into these traditional channels of communication. When emailing often the reply back is to call back or a request you show up in person. More so in the past then recently, many companies do not respond to email at all. While communicating by telephone and mail is important, email is part of the fabric of how people interact and companies often do not take this into account.

As many small main street businesses are offering a more personalized service, email can be more personalized than large corporations are able to provide. Since customers have become accustomed to looking on the Internet to either make or research purchases email is an easy way to communicate. Besides an easy way to get an answer, some customers want reassurance there is a human behind the web page, and not just some wizard speaking out of a microphone.

Service and forum queries are typically handled by online businesses within 24 hours; rarely do weekends or holidays alter response rates. Customer demands and the 'need' for instant answers have driven the standard. If you do not respond in a timely fashion a competitor will.

Customers are used to surfing the web and emailing. They want instant information whether it is 4pm or 4am. They want an immediate response. Many companies provide 24-hour customer service.

While some people expect responses immediately, others will think business is slow if you respond right away. This is difficult to gauge, if the answer is simple respond as soon as possible. If research is required then at least email a response that you are looking into and will get back to them.

About the Author -
Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com , and http://www.small-business-software.net

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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When Something is Free Online
What are consumer expectations when something is free?
Realistically, consumers subconsciously assume free means free, and while that might be the initial intent rarely is it the case.

What Exactly Does Free Mean?
Very few things these days are free in the real sense of the word. There are very few free items that do not have any strings attached.

Why do Companies Offer Things for Free?
Companies or individuals may promote a free offer or service for any number of reasons. From branding to ad revenue, companies often use "free" to attract attention or interest. As a consumer, it is important to realize what "free" might really mean.

Reasons Things Are Free:

Linking
Companies may offer something in exchange for a link back to their website. As the web becomes increasingly more competitive, linking can effect more than just search engine placement, and providing a product, service or information free of charge in exchange for a link can be a good business decision. Often, publishers will create articles like this one and make it available for syndication, with the stipulation being that the author resource box that follows the article remain intact, providing links back to the author's website. Bottom line, authors often make content available for syndication in exchange for links back to their websites, which they benefit from.

Ad Revenue
Some companies provide a product or service free of charge and generate money from advertising. Perhaps they sell banner advertising on their website. A free product draws web traffic so that the number of visitors seeing the advertisement increases. The more visitors a site attracts, typically the more revenue generated from the ad space. Perhaps a software application is free of charge, but has embedded advertisements. When ads are clicked, the software developer earns a percentage of the revenue paid for serving the advertisement.

Goodwill Branding / Public Relations
On occasion, companies will provide a product, service or information free of charge. If the offering is extremely magnanimous or socially sensitive, they will often receive significant press exposure, generating free publicity for their brand. Pepsi Cola sponsors a number of athletic events and generates enormous amounts of brand loyalty and positive PR with their target audience.

Contact Information
Sometimes companies or individuals will provide something free in exchange for contact information. Ebooks are often provided free of charge if you provide an email address. The contact information may be sold at a later time or be used to market related products. It is important to check website privacy policies to determine how personal information can be used.

Exposure
Companies will often provide a light version to gain attention for fee-based products or services. This often allows potential customers to see a product's or services potential. The hope is that providing something free will generate both brand loyalty and interest in fee-based options or services.

The Problem with Free
If a business or individual is truly providing something for free, there is a cost involved. Whether time, resources or services are consumed to provide the free item or service there is an expense involved. If the cost is at any point greater than the benefit or perceived benefit of offering the free item or service, the business or individual will likely review options to better balance the cost-to-benefit ratio.

They may:

Discontinue support
Companies or individuals that provide a free product may continue to provide the item free of charge but discontinue the support. If the item is something like software, the expense has already occurred. By providing the item without technical support or customer service they can reduce their staffing costs. The only ongoing expense to provide the item free of charge would be ongoing hosting costs, which are usually relatively small. If the item is critical to a business or individual's operations, the value of the item will be lost if technical support or customer support is no longer available.

Abandon
Businesses may simply discontinue offering the free item or service without notice.

Compensation
Individuals or companies may begin requesting donations, compensation, volunteers or a benefit listed above in order to continue to provide the item or service free of charge.

Cut Corners
Often free items are of reduced or inferior quality. Cost-conscious businesses or individuals often try to minimize the expense associated with free items and will use less expensive materials for free items.

There is value to "free" just be sure that you know what it is. Next time something is offered for free, evaluate the quid pro quo and determine what you are giving in return, because very little is ever really free.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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Educated Consumers
Educated Consumers
Not too long ago, a colleague asked me why we invest so heavily in consumer education. We have made a conscious decision to spend marketing dollars on consumer education for a very simple reason. Educated consumers are simply better customers.

Lets take a closer look at why educated consumers are better customers.

Less Technical Support.
1.) Educated consumers require less technical support. The reduced technical support results in lower overhead costs. Often educated consumers can further reduce the support burden by assisting or educating other customers or potential customers in forums, newsgroups, user groups or elsewhere in an industry community.

Often users with a strong technical background or understanding will often assist in the forums and provide users technical support. The result: an educated consumer is a happy and helpful customer.

Easier Sales.
2.) Generally speaking educated consumers have a better understanding of the technology, how it can be used and how it will benefit them. A customers understanding that an application will result in saved time, can easily justify the software's expense. Cost becomes less of an issue when long-term value is understood.

Reasonable Expectations.
3.) I hate to say it, but back in 1996 when we started out, consumer ignorance resulted in unrealistic expectations. Consumers purchased expecting that software would do their dishes and vacuum. Regardless of how well the software did what it was designed to do, if a customer expects it to do something else, they will not be a satisfied customer.

Educated consumers have realistic expectations and understanding of what can and cannot be accomplished.

Kinds of Consumer Education
1. Articles.
Educational articles not only propagate the success and understanding of a technology, but well written articles will often establish the writer as an industry expert.

Example http://www.feedforall.com/newsletter.htm (on the bottom)

2. White Papers.
Real world examples of how other users are using software to resolve problems or save time are often great illustrations of technology in action.

Example http://www.notepage.net/whitepapers.htm

3. PPT Demonstrations.
Power point presentations not only assist with user education, but also can be used by User Groups to further evangelize and educate potential users.

All in all, educated consumers result in a happier user with realistic expectations. Ignorance often results in dissatisfaction and unrealistic expectations while education leads to long term happy and helpful customers.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for FeedForDev http://www.feedfordev.com an RSS component for developers.

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated. Send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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Online Business Resources
As the web becomes increasingly more crowded, it is important for webmasters to take the extra step to make their web sites user friendly. There are a number of free resources available to webmasters:

What is a Favorite Icon - Favicon?
Favorite icons, also known as favicon, appear in the URL bar. When a user bookmarks a specific Web page, that Web page loads a customized icon into the user's browser, typically a tiny version of a company or Web site's logo. Because the favicon is usually displayed next to the web site address, it can act like a small logo or an icon that visitors can use to remember the web site or the site address.

The favicon is displayed next to the Web site's name in the Favorites list and can also be displayed in the Links toolbar. When a site has not created a favicon, IE will load the IE logo into the browser by default. When a user bookmarks a page, the browser will request a favicon.ico file from the directory of the Web page. If such a file exists, then the Web page is using a favicon and will return the file to the browser. Many browsers support favicons including all current versions of the major browsers support favicons, including Internet Explorer 5/6+, Firefox 1+, Mozilla 1+, Netscape 7+, Opera 7+, Konqueror 3+, Safari and more. If a particular browser doesn't have support for the favicon feature, it'll simply ignore the favicon and the presence of a favicon won't affect that browser.

Webmasters can establish branding by customizing a favorite icon. The free service from HTMLKit
http://www.html-kit.com/favicon

Custom 404 Pages.
Urls are often mistyped into browsers. When a domain is correctly entered, but the web pages full url is entered incorrectly, it is possible to display a custom error page to web site visitors. By providing users a navigational bar or assistance rather than a generic error page. The customized error page will help keep prospective customers on your site providing them alternatives.
Webmasters should also routinely check their log files and correct any pages that result in errors. Most log analysis software will provide the referring document information for a webpage (the page that the user was at prior to the current page). Use the web log to track faulty links, if the links are out of the webmaster's control (a 3rd part), consider setting up a re-direct and forwarding the traffic to the appropriate webpage.

Sample Custom 404s - http://www.web-search-engines.net/error-page or http://www.puzzle-place.net/error-page


Navigation
Clear and intuitive navigation is important so that web surfers can locate the material of interest. Many web surfers will enter your website and land on a variety of pages. It is important that they navigate your site regardless of the webpage they landed on. Links on the site, should contain text that relates to the linked webpage's content.

Consider recruiting a child or inexperienced adult to test your website's navigation. Webmasters can often learn how others view their website, by just watching.

Webmaster Tools
There are a number of freely available web tools that will evaluate a site for a variety of things. Most of the online tools will generate a report and highlight the positive aspects of the website and possibly the negative aspects of the website, as it relates to the evaluation.

Web Analyzer Tool - http://www.webmaster-toolkit.com/web-page-analyser.shtml
Search Engine Assessment Tools - http://www.submitcorner.com/Tools/Assessment/

Take a few extra steps to make your site stand up and out from a competitors.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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Networking for Business
Associations and trade organizations are great places to meet individuals. Usually organizations have a common theme, and it is an understood implication that all members participate to improve themselves and their businesses.

Whether it is a chamber of commerce or a trade association, members have common problems, issues and concerns. By sharing issues and resolutions, members can benefit by the experience of others. Many business owners participate in organizations, not only to network, but also to hopefully circumvent some of the pitfalls encountered by other small businesses--learning from others.

Networking Tips.
Many trade organizations provide forums for networking. In some cases, these might be private online newsgroups, casual meetings, or even professional events with speakers. In order to take full advantage of these networking opportunities consider these tips.

Who You Know.
It is often not who you know, but who they know. I can't tell you the number of times I've seen someone put-off someone who is clearly a beginner only to learn that the "beginner" is the brother or friend of a contact they've been trying to meet for weeks.

Honesty.
Be honest. Pretending to be something that you are not, or implying you can deliver a product or service that is outside of your abilities, will foster an environment of distrust and potentially harm your reputation. Keep in mind that networking is viral?vital? and if promises are not kept, word will spread. Establishing yourself and firm as an honest, reputable company.

Professional.
Keep conversations to strictly business subjects. In a business environment, it is important to focus on safe non-emotional topics. The last thing you want to do is alienate or offend a potential client because of an outspoken view on a controversial topic. There is a time and a place for everything and discussing political views or cultural issues is not a generally accepted business topic. Bearing that in mind, it is also important to be aware and sensitive to cultural differences. The Internet has opened doors to a global market and respecting cultural differences is critical to establishing strong business relationships in the global marketplace.

Socialize.
Now is not the time to be a wall flower. Whether you participate in social business events, or monitor trade forums, it is critical that you participate. Participation will help you distinguish yourself in your industry. Attempt to remember individual personal details and foster introductions among others in the industry.

Positive.
Stay positive. It sounds simple, but it will really impact how others view you. If you are constantly negative and pointing out the flaws in others, it will reflect on how others view you. Presenting the best and positive business experiences will enhance your image.

Help.
Provide genuine assistance to others. Whether or not they are able to reciprocate, networking is viral?vital?. Helping others will establish you as a useful member of your business community and will endear you to others. If you are unable to help an individual, attempt to refer them to someone who can.
Research
A little research goes a long way. Be sure to research people and companies in your business community. Knowing their common goals and interests will build topics for discussions.

Acknowledging the need to connect with others to grow and expand a business may seem like common sense. Cultivating business relationships and interact with other small businesses is often mutually beneficial and should not be underestimated.

Networking is about building relationships and mutual interaction benefiting both parties. Being proactive and following up, you can have a network of contacts that you will be able to access quickly when you need them. Whether by more traditional means, such as in person or over the Internet, personal networks are essential for furthering your business. Relationship networking is give and take, be sure to help others in your quest for help.


About the Author -
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

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A Look at Slogans
By S. Housley

Let's take a look at slogans and how just a few words can say volumes. A slogan is a memorable phrase used in conjunction with a political, commercial, or religious advertisement. Slogans are used to convey a deeper meaning. Slogans can be used to elicit emotions, or the slogan might paint a visual image that implies something more.

When considering a slogan or a tagline, keep in mind your objectives. What image do you wish to portray? Slogans should be short, but not to the point of being pithy. Slogans should conjure positive images and distinguish the value your company or product provides.

The best way to analyze slogans is to look at a few.

Slogan: "The toughest job you will ever love" (Peace Corps)
Message behind slogan: This is much more than just a job; it takes heart to be in the Peace Corps; join the Peace Corps and you will be a better person. This job is not about money it is about helping people.

Slogan: "Be Seen, Be Sold" (Shareware Promotions)
Message behind slogan: Being found on the Internet is not easy. Use us to be found on the Internet."

Slogan: "You could learn a lot from a dummy. Buckle up" (National Highway Traffic Safety Admin)
Message behind slogan: Learn from test dummies, be safe and buckle up.

Slogan: "Parents who use drugs have kids who use drugs" (The Partnership for a Drug-free America)
Message behind slogan: Model what you preach, do you want your children to do drugs? It is your responsibility to model appropriate behavior for your children.

Slogan: "This is your brain on drugs" (The Partnership for a Drug-free America)
Message behind slogan: Do you know what this stuff does to you? Taking drugs is stupid.

Slogan: "A diamond is forever" (DeBeers '1948)
Message behind slogan: Diamonds represent marriage, marriage should be forever. If you really want your marriage to last it should be sealed with a diamond.

Slogan: "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking" (Timex Corp)
Message behind slogan: It does not get any more durable than this, other watches can not stand up, but Timex will endure regardless of the treatment.

Slogan: "For all you do, this Bud's for you" (Budweiser)
Message behind slogan: After a long hard day, drink beer to relax.

Slogan: "Where's the beef ? "(Wendys)
Message behind slogan: Our competitors use small patties, but our burgers are big.

Slogan: "I love New York" (NYC)
Message behind slogan: New York is a special place, everyone loves NY, you should come and visit, you will love it too.

Slogan: "See what brown can do for you" (UPS)
Message behind slogan: We do more than just ship packages, we have additional offerings and can do more than just ship.

Slogan: "The few, the proud, the Marines" (US Marines)
Message behind slogan: We are a select group of very special individuals. Do you want to be elite? Take pride in representing the US.

Slogan: "Friends don't let friends drive drunk"
Message behind slogan: You will die if you drive drunk. It is your responsibility to protect your friends. Be responsible, don't let people drive drunk.

Effective slogans leave impressions in the minds of people who see or hear the slogans. Often slogans will have hidden meanings, or be a play on words. The goal of the slogan creator should be to create a memorable tagline that conveys a key benefit or differentiates the brand. Slogans will often help position the product or service in the marketplace. Slogans with just a few words can indicate superior value, excellence, or inspiration.

A business identity and image conveyed through a short statement will affect the way that consumers, competitors and others in the industry perceive your business. Slogans will distinguish your company in a unique way. Words are powerful, and if used properly, they can be an important sales tool.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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How Unique is Your Business?
Unique Business
By Sharon Housley

All business owners like to believe that their business is in someway unique or unlike any other business. At its core though, how different are small businesses really? Nearly all small businesses struggle with relatively similar issues. Most owners wear multiple hats and have had to become jack of all trades in order to succeed and survive in the business world. While it is important to recognize the differences between various small businesses it is equally important to recognize the similarities.

Small businesses often struggle with the same issues, and while its important to establish your own policies, do not be afraid to talk to and learn from other small business owners.

The best way to meet other small business owners is to join the local Chamber of Commerce, Industry Organization or Trade Association. However, joining is not enough, you must participate in events, newsgroups and meetings. You will not learn through osmosis! Trade associations, newsgroups and social business functions are great places to learn from the experience of other small business owners. Engage other business owners and share the lessons that you have learned.

Small Business owners should make an effort to learn from both the successes and failures from other small business owners. If you encounter someone who has not succeeded, do not assume that there is nothing to learn, nothing could be further from the truth. Often you can learn just as much about what not to do, from a failed business ventures, as what to do from a successful business.

While it is important to learn from others it is also important that you do not allow, the experience of others to dictate all of your business making decisions. While the information gleaned from talking to other small business owners might help shape decisions and influence them, it should not be the end all be all.

Do not assume that just because something worked for someone else that it will work for you. Just because ABC Landscaping had a great return on investment for their advertising campaign in the local newspaper does not mean that a ABC Travel, with tours in France will have equal success advertising using the same medium.

In the same regard when discussing ideas with other business owners consider the source of the information. Does the owner have a thriving business or is it struggling to make ends meet. Every piece of information gleaned in discussions related small businesses discussions should be weighed an important factor to consider is the source and credibility of the information.

Owning a small business can be a fulfilling but also a potentially lonely proposition. There is no need to be isolated. Reachout to others that have faced similar issues and struggles. Use the experience of other small business owners to guide your decision making. With a little luck your business will thrive.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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Listen to Your Customers
Customer Complaints
By Sharon Housley

Mastering the art of managing customer complaints can seem like a thankless job, but keep in mind that for every customer that shares their worries, concerns or complaints, there are likely more that did not express their dissatisfaction, and instead simply moved on to a competitor. Customer complaints can, and should be treated as opportunities.

Customers that are willing to communicate can help provide information on how your product or service is being used in a specific market segment. Complaints give you the opportunity to see how your company is falling short of customer expectations.

No company is perfect. As Dr. Phil often says, "We cannot fix that which we do not acknowledge." Acknowledging an area in need of improvement will get you that much closer to perfection. Customers who complain are indicating where you need improvement; seize the opportunity to improve. Adjust the systems that are deficient. Mistakes happen, learn from them and prevent the same errors or problems from recurring.

Communication is critical to resolving customer complaints. First off, listen to their problem, and empathize this will hopefully help diffuse their anger. Also be sure to remind them you are on their side, and you understand their frustration.

Communicate a plan to address their problem, and provide a timetable for resolution. Unfortunately, not all problems can be immediately rectified, providing a time table will help manage the customer's expectations. Once the problem is resolved, communicate the resolution, thank the customer for bringing the issue to your attention.

Resolving customer complaints builds customer loyalty. Everything was not perfect, and yet you made efforts to correct the issues that customer brought to your attention. It is possible to turn customer complaints into assets. Customers that feel you responded will often become an advocate for your business.

Track consumer complaints and watch for any patterns. After a complaint is resolved, conduct a post-mortem, take a close look at the procedures and systems, implement changes to prevent a similar issue from recurring. Perhaps redundancy is required.

Of course, there is no need to wait for a complaint to improve processes. Look at systems or procedures where items might slip through the cracks. Is there an area that results in customer confusion? Business processes should be constantly evolving; take a close look at any critical systems and consider how you can implement changes to prevent any mishaps or problems from occurring.

When complaints appear in a product or company forum, your initial reaction might be to delete the post altogether, but a public complaint that is dealt with in a professional and timely manner is very telling. This will give other users confidence that if there is an issue they can expect a reasonable resolution.

Many companies that understand the value of customer feedback solicit comments from customers, often offering incentives for polite, honest feedback. If you wish to be proactive send follow up emails to all customers who have queried your company. This is quality assurance and a great way to solicit customer feedback.

Few people enjoy dealing with customer complaints. The trick is to use the feedback in a constructive way and turn criticism into compliments.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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Business Cards
By Sharon Housley

Networking is an invaluable opportunity, and one that should not be wasted. In order to maximize networking, it is strongly suggested that all business professionals carry business cards. The business cards can be exchanged during introductions, both as a convenience and as a memory aid. In other words, business cards allow networkers to further the relationship through future contact.

Business cards may include one or more aspects of striking visual design, but should also contain important contact information. Use this guide to make the most of your business cards:

1. What to Include
All of this information should be included on a professional business card: Name - This does not have to be your given name, but should be what you expect people in business to refer to you as.

Position - This is really optional; many small business owners find themselves wearing many hats, and may find it beneficial and/or less confusing to leave their official title off the cards.
Address - Physical office location and/or mailing address.
Website - Adding a website address to business cards is now very common and expected.
Email - Email is also now a very common and popular communication channel.
Phone - Include your business phone number.
Instant Messaging/ICQ Address - Internet chat address.

2. Double Sided Cards
If your company is global, or your sales territory focus is in a region where your spoken language is not the predominant language, you might wish to consider using the backside of your business card to include your information in an alternate language. You can also use the back of the card to provide more extensive information and details about your products and services. Or, if you do a lot of local business, you might want to include a small street map to your office on the back of your card. There are lots of things you might be able to do with all that blank space on the back of your cards.

3. Conversation Starters
Savvy sales people often use their business cards as a conversation starter. Of course, the card needs to be unique or unusual in order to generate a dialogue. Some of the more interesting cards I've seen recently were printed on micro-CDs, on magnets, on translucent plastic, etc.

4. Standard Size
Even if you are aiming for something unique, you should still not diverge from the standard business card size. For managing their contacts, many people will create a business card rolodex, or may have a hand scanner specifically sized for business cards. So stick with the standard size -- otherwise you may be excluded from their contact databases simply because your card didn't fit!

5. Order Quantity
Quantity discounts apply to business cards. When pricing printed business cards, check to see where the price breaks occur; sometimes you can significantly increase the quantity of business cards for very little additional cost.

6. Quality Matters
Flimsy cards that are paper thin, and cards with ragged perforated edges, just scream amateur. If you are going to print cards yourself, be sure to use heavy business card stock, and use stock that has clean-edge micro-perforations. And glossy finished stock can also help boost the quality perception of self-printed cards, especially if lots of color is used in the card design.

7. Brand Cards
Your business cards should be similar to all of your other printed promotional material. Business cards should contain your business or product logo. Double-check the colors with the printer to make sure the correct pantone colors are used. This will ensure that the logo is printed using the correct and matching color scheme.

8. Keep Current
Information contained on the business card should always be kept current. Business cards with obsolete information crossed out are very unprofessional. If any information on the card changes or becomes obsolete, have new cards printed to reflect the change, and throw the old ones away.

9. Change It Up
Textured business cards, or cards with scalloped edges, stand out. Consider a wide variety of ways to make your card jump out of the pack. The texture or color of the card can also be utilized to ensure your card stands out.

10. Legible
Use a legible font that makes the text on the business card easy to read. Avoid making the fonts too small. Use contrasting colors, and avoid using porous paper that will allow the ink to bleed and the text to blend into the card.

11. Spelling
There is little more embarrassing than business cards that contain typographical errors. Proofread the cards multiple times. Let me say that again -- proofread your business cards! And have other people proofread them too, as they will often be able to spot mistakes that you've overlooked.

Maximize the power of your business cards. Whether you are networking, or just being personable, business cards are a must in the professional world, and crucial to business marketing.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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How Is Your Business Different?
Creating a marketing and business plan for a small business can at times seem like an overwhelming task for a new business owner. Yet, it need not be. A business plan is simply a formal statement that contains a set of business goals; and a marketing plan outlines the necessary actions which the business needs to take in order to achieve its marketing objectives.

In order to properly construct a marketing or business plan, small business owners should ask themselves some simple questions: How is your business different? What value do you provide? In what areas does your company excel? What is your expertise, or the expertise of your staff? What are your strengths? And equally important, what are your businesses weaknesses? What image does your company portray? Is the image truly reflective of your strengths?

Honestly answering such critical questions will help a business owner understand their business strengths and allow them to develop a business and marketing plan. Invariably, attempting to be everything to everyone is bound to fail. A component of a solid marketing plan is building brand and corporate identity. When creating a brand and company identity, consider how the business is different from others. A business should not try to portray itself as something that it is not -- highlight the business strengths, and emphasize those strengths while building your business brand. A company identity will help consumers define your brand, which is how the company is perceived by consumers. In order to help influence the company image, it is a business owners job to convey how their business is different. This can be referred to as a unique selling proposition.

It is a business owners job to make their customers aware of the benefits to working with their company. In effect, it is their job to help customers make an educated purchasing decision. Provide information on all aspects of your expertise, from company background to return policies. Small businesses can build consumer confidence by providing information related to all aspects of the small business. This information will help potential customers recognize your company as a serious business.

It is also a small business owners job to reassure customers and to make them aware of any advantages to working with the company. For example, if a small business excels at customer service, add an email tagline that conveys the business' commitment to customer satisfaction. Likewise, if all the businesses products are handmade, add a slogan to the logo that indicates that.

Just as each individual person is unique, so is each and every small business. Some businesses are defined by their unique differences. When developing a business and marketing plan, it is important to have a clear understanding of the businesses focus and how the business differs from its competitors. Once a small business owner has assessed the strengths and weaknesses of their business, they can then begin to construct a plan of action that will establish and build on their corporate identity.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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Performing Better Searches
Performing and perfecting search engine results can save web surfers lots of time and energy. Understanding the nuances of searching allows researchers to immediately drill down and locate the information they are seeking, without having to wade through a myriad of irrelevant search results in the process. The increasing complexity of search engines has made understanding search engines a necessity for those who spend any amount of time online. The following search tips are standards that will work in most of the major search engines.

How To Find What You Are Looking For?

As the popularity of the Internet grows, more and more results are returned for even the most obscure search phrases. In order to save time, web surfers need to increase their search relevancy. It is advisable to use multiple search terms to produce better search results. Searchers should use specific words and phrases to find what they're are looking for, while filtering out irrelevant and unwanted results.

In searching, more usually means less. Using more keywords in a search will help qualify the search and make it more specific to what you are looking for. It is all about striking a balance; more search terms will reduce the number of search results, but those results will be more accurate. Remember that you can always refine the search further if there are too many results returned in the initial search.

Capitalization Is Irrelevant

The major search engines ignore capitalization. Upper case and lower case search phrases will deliver the same results.

Order Matters

Keep in mind that the order in which the terms are entered into the search box will affect the search results. The most important terms should appear first in the list of search words.

Word Stemming

Major search engines will provide results that use word stemming. Word stemming includes variants of the terms that were searched for. For example, searching on the term fish in a major search engine will generate organic search results that also contain the terms fishing, fishes, and fisher.

Exact

Using quotations around a search phrase will generate search results that contain only that specific search phrase, exactly as it was entered. For example, searching on the exact phrase "rocking horse" in a major search engine will only generate search results that contain the phrase rocking horse. The results will not include any results that contain "horse rocking" -- even though both terms appear, they do not appear in the proper order for an exact match.

Do Not Include
Adding a (-) negative/minus sign before a search term will filter the results so that they contain the first term but not the negated word. For example, entering the search phrase horses -rocking into a major search engine will return search results about horses but not about rocking horses.

Must Include

If you want search results that only include a specific word, just type a (+) plus sign in front of a search term. The results produced will always contain that term. For example, conducting a search horse + carousel will result in all search results that contain carousel, and may include horse as well.

Similar Words

Adding a (~) tilde character in front of a search word will generate search results that not only include the specified search term, but will also include all words considered to be related to the original search term. For example, using the search term ~soda will result in organic search engine results that not only include soda, but also include pepsi, pop, cola, coke, bottle, and soft drink.
Either Or

Adding an OR parameter between two search terms will result in search listings that include either the first or the second word in the search results. For example, searching on the terms soda OR bottle will generate search results that may contain both terms soda bottle or it will produce results that contain either soda or bottle but not both in the same search listings.

Advanced Searches And Segmented Searches

Many search engines allow you to specify the type of content you wish to search in. For example, you can often search just news articles, just blogs, or just images. If you are looking for a specific type of media, segmenting your search can be helpful. Searches can be conducted to locate webpages that contain a specific language, or a specific file type (ie. pdf, rss, etc). Simply use the search engine's advanced search option and select the content, language, file type, etc to filter your search results.

Search Meta Words

Meta keyword searches give search engines special instructions. When the meta search words are used, a specific type of search is conducted. Here are some of the most common meta search terms...

define:
When define: is used at the beginning of a search word or phrase, the search engine results will be a definition of the word or phrase.

site:
When site: is entered in the search box, followed by a domain, the search engine locates all documents within a specific domain and all of its subdomains. This is an easy way to get a rough idea of the number of pages indexed on a domain.

link:
When link: is used and followed by a URL, the search results will include all the web pages that are indexed by the search engine which contain links to the specified URL.

inurl:
When inurl: is used, followed by a keyword or phrase, the search results will include links to web pages that contain the specific keyword or phrase in the urls themselves.

intitle:
When intitle: is searched on in conjunction with a keyword or phrase, the search engine locates search results that contain the specified keyword or phrase in the web page title.

Web surfers can save large amounts of time and energy by optimizing their search techniques with these helpful tips.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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Choose a Domain

Choosing a domain is one of the first steps in establishing an online presence. Changing a domain after-the-fact can be time consuming, and can be harmful to search engine ranking, so it is best to get it right the first time around. Follow these simple steps to select a domain name that will represent your online brand...

1. Nice Neighborhood

Stick with .com or .net domains for businesses, .edu for schools, and .org for non-profit organizations. Some search experts say that any other extensions will have a more difficult time ranking well in the search engines.

2. Easy To Verbalize And Understand

Domain names should be easy to verbalize. Often in conversations, similar sounds are difficult to discern. Select a domain name that is clear and easy to understand without having to repeat it.

3. Easy To Spell

Select a domain that is easy to spell. Certain words can be spelled in a variety of ways, and this can cause confusion and result in people being unable to easily locate your website. Use a domain name that is intuitive and easy to spell.

4. Keep It Brief

Shorter domains are easy to remember, so if possible, avoid selecting a domain name that is excessively long. The domain name can not exceed 63 characters, and may consist of letters, numbers, and hyphens. If you decide on a hyphenated domain name, be sure to articulate it so that it is easily understood.

5. More Than One

Domains are reasonably inexpensive, so register multiple domain names that relate to your primary domain name. The additional domains can be permanently redirected to the main domain. Also, purchase domains that use common misspellings, plurals, or that alleviate any confusion. This way you will be sure to capture all of your traffic.

6. Extend It

Protect your brand by purchasing common extensions for your domain (ie. .net, .org, etc). And consider purchasing country extensions if you sell globally (ie. .uk, .au, .fr, etc).

7. Written Form

The written form of the domain should be clear and not cause unnecessary confusion. If the domain contains multiple words, make sure that the written form cannot be misinterpreted.

8. Make It Memorable.

Select a domain name that is easy for people to remember.

9. Related And Relevant

The domain name should relate to your core business. Building a brand does not end offline; brand continuity should encompass all aspects of your business, both online and offline. A related relevant domain should reinforce your brand and corporate identity.

10. Check Trademarks

As with any name, be sure to check carefully for trademark infringements. Do not take chances by infringing on another company's brand. The extra effort might save you from a court case or hours of expensive legal maneuvering. Search the USPTO website at http://www.uspto.gov for any existing trademarks.

11. Brand vs Keywords

Many webmasters struggle with the decision to use a brand as their domain, or to incorporate keywords into their domain name in an effort to rank better in the search engines. The decision does not need to be absolute. Domains are inexpensive, and redirects are easy to set up, so there is no reason you can not purchase both brand and keyword domain names.

12. Location Specific

Unless you only serve a specific region, avoid using the location in the domain name. A geo-specific domain will limit a company's ability to expand into other regions as it grows.

And before doing anything, use the database at Network Solutions to determine whether a desired domain name is actually available or not.

NetSol - http://www.networksolutions.com

Selecting a domain name is an important step in establishing a web business. Take your time and think carefully about selecting a domain, as it will be the hallmark of your online presence.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.

**********************************************************

This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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Deal of the Day
By Sharon Housley

With the economy in a questionable state, everyone is looking for a good deal. Savvy business owners have jumped at the opportunity to carve out a niche for themselves in the struggling economy. Coupon and Deal-Of-The-Day websites have become extremely popular. Everyone is getting into the action, from large conglomerate websites to small specialty shops, and many now have some sort of Deal-Of-The-Day special where an item is offered at a significant discount for a specified and limited period of time. While the Deal-Of-The-Day websites were originally designed to capture impulse purchasers, many financially-conscious penny-pinching shoppers are now monitoring these sites regularly, in search of good deals on products they might need.

Everybody loves a bargain! Where should you look for a bargain?

Software Deal Of The Day WebSites...

Software Deal Of The Day

Software-DOD.com features popular software titles, with a new discounted application available each day. The software discounts range from 10-90% off of list prices, and the featured software is only available at the discounted price for twenty-four hours. Software-DOD.com also includes "second chance" offers, which are offers designed for people who missed the primary Deal Of The Day offer. The second chance offers are still discounted below the normal price, but not as deeply discounted as the primary Deal Of The Day offer was.

Software DOD - http://www.software-dod.com

Bits Du Jour

Every day, Bits Du Jour offers 24-hour discount deals on Windows software applications or web services. They feature deals at a substantial discount, and the discount is available for that day only.

Bits Du Jour - http://www.bitsdujour.com

Give Away Of The Day

Every day, GAOTD offers one software title that will be a Give-away title for that day. The software will be available for download for 24 hours (or more, if agreed on by the software publisher), and that software will be absolutely free during that time. The GAOTD featured product is not a trial version, and not a limited version - it's a registered and legal version of the software, and free for the website visitors.

GAOTD - http://www.giveawayoftheday.com
(there is also a "game" version of Give Away Of The Day available at: http://game.giveawayoftheday.com )

GameDuJour

Game du Jour is a "One Deal a Day" website featuring indie and casual PC games. Every day of the week, GameDuJour.com sells one popular downloadable game at a deep discount. But the clock is ticking, and each deal expires at the end of the day. Visitors to GameDuJour.com can download the GameDuJour game, try it, and buy it at a big discount until midnight Central Time. Then it�s a whole new game � the clock is reset and another game is offered at a bargain price.

Game Du Jour - http://www.gamedujour.com

Electronics Deal Of The Day Websites...

Woot

Woot.com is an online store and community that focuses on selling cool stuff cheap. It started out as an employee-store / market-testing outlet for an electronics distributor, but it's taken on a life of its own, offering a variety of items, typically electronics and techie toys, at discount prices for a single day.

Woot - http://www.woot.com

LunarLoot

Daily discount deal on electronic products. Every 24 hours a new item is made available.

LunarLoot - http://www.lunarloot.com

Yugster

Yugster is a website that sells cool stuff at prices that typically cannot be beat. An item is Yours Until Gone (YUG)! Everyday they offer a new product at 6am EST, and when it is gone, it is gone. They also offer an additional unique option -- if you register and become a "Yugster" (free), you get their daily offers a day before everyone else. Just log into the Yugster website as a registered Yugster, and you'll not only see that day's Daily Offer, but you'll also have access to a special "Sneak Preview" offer for the offer scheduled for the next day. Registered Yugsters can also receive emails containing a heads-up on items available, and access to additional and special "private" offers that aren't included on the website.

Yugster - http://www.yugster.com

Atomic Deals

Atomic deals is a reverse-price auction. The price of the offered item drops continually, until the item is sold out. Each day, new products are added to the site with three new deals going live every midnight CST. When an item �goes live� the AtomicDeals falling-price auction begins, and the price starts to fall. The price will continue to fall until time runs out or until the item sells out.

Atomic Deals - http://www.atomicdeals.com

1 Sale A Day

1 Sale A Day is a daily deal website, offering one deeply-discounted product every day, hence the name 1SaleADay. The product is only available for a 24-hour period, and expires daily at midnight (EST). It is then replaced with a new discounted product for the following day.

1 Sale A Day - http://www.1saleaday.com

New Day, New Deal

A single item is available each day at a discounted price. When the item is sold out, the deal ends. New products are available each day.

New Day New Deal - http://www.newdaynewdeal.com

Other Deal Of The Day Websites...

Crazy Mom Deal

This is another site offering one deal each day, with limited quantities. Prices are discounted, and when the product is sold out, the deal is done. Products are designed to appeal to Moms!

Crazy Mom Deals http://www.crazymomdeals.com

Daily Gem Deals

DailyGemDeals.com (DGD) is an online retailer that sells only authentic, high-quality jewelry at deep discount prices. DGD is different from the traditional online stores, which offer thousands of products at a variety of prices. Instead, DailyGemDeals offers one product at a time, at the best possible price. A single product is featured for 24 hours, ending at Midnight EST. Once the 24-hour period ends, the next product is featured until the following night.

Daily Gem Deals - http://dailygemdeals.com

MyDailySteal

The Daily Steal is posted every night at Midnight CST. The product offered is always in brand new, from-the-factory condition, never used or refurbished. They only sell one product per day, offered until their inventory is gone. They may have 10 or 10,000 units available at the posted price -- the quantities are not listed, and when the items are sold out, the deal ends.

My Daily Steal - http://www.mydailysteal.com

GoingToday

Going Today will offer one item every day until it is sold out. Their products are generally geared towards the musician geek! New items are posted each night at Midnight EST.

Going Today - http://www.goingtoday.com

Shnoop

Schnoop.com is an online store that focuses on selling general merchandise at very cheap prices. They offer one item each day, but unlike the other "one item per day" websites, Schnoop.com gives you a chance to buy the previous day's item as well, until it is sold out. Items are in stock and ship out within 2-4 business days. They release a new item every 24 hours at 9PM EST.

Shnoop - http://www.shnoop.com

Deal of the Day Roundups:

The following websites are designed to track the daily deals. They monitor Deal Of The Day websites, and list the various deals in groups. The websites update daily to reflect the new deals that are available.

DealSucker - http://www.dealsucker.com
DODTracker - http://www.dodtracker.com
ZeroDay Deals - http://www.zerodaydeals.com
BargainJack - http://www.bargainjack.com

If you are conscious about your spending, consider monitoring these Deal Of The Day websites. Some of the offered discounts are significant. Deal sites are timely, as the discounts are only available for a limited time. Additionally, the websites update on a very regular basis.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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Business Mistakes to Avoid
By Sharon Housley

Small businesses and entrepreneurs often repeat the same mistakes.� If you are an entrepreneur, the following is a list of critical mistakes to avoid in your new venture: �

1. Promising The World

Entrepreneurs will commonly make bold promises that are often impossible to actually deliver.� It is important that you stay grounded in reality, and only agree to things that you know you can actually deliver. �

2. Lack Of Discipline

Owning a business takes commitment and self-discipline.� Since you are the boss you probably won't be disciplined for things like not showing up for work on time... but such things will have a negative impact on your business.� It is important that entrepreneurs treat their business just like a real business, and not like a personal hobby.� Act professional, charge for your services, and be accountable for the product or service provided.� Self-discipline is critical to being self-employed. �

3. Lack Of Focus

Remain focused on your core business philosophy, and don't attempt to be everything to everyone.� Decide what your strengths and business focus are, and use that strength and focus to build the foundation for your core business.�� �

4. Doing It All

While most small business owners are jacks-of-all-trades, it is important to know your limits.� Do not try to do it all.� In many situations, it is much better to hire someone or outsource a project than attempt to reinvent the wheel or do something yourself that you are simply not qualified to do. � �

5. Undervaluing Product Or Service

Small businesses often make the mistake of undervaluing their product or service.� If an item or service is priced too inexpensively, it may be viewed to be of inferior quality. Conduct a cost analysis, and consider split-testing to find the appropriate price point for your product or service. � �

6. Hiring Family

It is natural for a small business owner to want to hire family members, but this is often a very costly mistake.� If you do hire family members, be sure to make it clear from the beginning that business is business.� Employment should not effect your personal relationships -- that is very easy to say, but unfortunately it often does effect your personal and family relationships.� Additionally, other employees may resent favoritism paid to a family member who is given priority.� And sadly, favoritism of a family member can often be perceived by other employees, even when it doesn't actually exist.� Think long and hard before venturing down this path. � �

7. Copying The Competition

Copying�the competition is certainly far easier to do than creating something new.� However, that does not mean that it is a good thing to do. � �

8. Tracking Advertising

It is important to track and measure the success or failure of any advertising campaigns.� If you do not track your advertising, you will not really know what works and what does not, and you could be throwing good money after bad. �

9. Not Having A Plan

It is important that you have goals, and a plan for your business.� Use the plan to guide the direction of your business. � �

10. Failure To Invest

You have to spend money in order to make money.� Many entrepreneurs fail to invest in their business, yet expect instant success.� Building a business takes time, effort, and both a personal and a financial investment. � �

11. Inability To Adapt

Many small businesses change over the years.� You must be willing to adapt to the changing needs of a business, and to the changing�needs of your customers, in order to survive in the the business world.� �

Launching a business is�an exciting and rewarding experience.� Just be careful to avoid the above pitfalls on your way to�success. � �

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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Staying Ahead of the Competition
Competition
By Sharon Housley

Staying ahead of the competition can be an on-going struggle. While it is not healthy for a company to focus too much time and attention on the competition, it is important to stay abreast of what your competition is doing. When evaluating the competition, assess the industry giants and companies closest to your space. But be sure that you don't exclude the small companies in your assessments. Sometimes a small competitor can have innovative ideas or marketing concepts, but may lack the capital to really benefit from the concept. This may present you with an opportunity.

When evaluating the competition pay attention to the following:

1. Pricing

Evaluate your competitor's pricing scheme and price structure. What is the price point of your competitor's products or services? Are your products better or inferior? Do the product differences justify any cost difference?

2. Meta Tags / Search Engine Optimization

Evaluate your competitor's website. View the meta data of competing websites. Look at their Alexa ranking, and review who links to their website. Are there links you are missing that might be beneficial to your website?

3. Search Rankings

Perform generic searches in the major search engines (Google, Yahoo, MSN) for critical phrases. Determine how the competition stacks up in the search listings. Do any of your competitors own important rankings. Consider your search engine strategy and how you can better compete in the search engines.

4. Specials / Marketing Campaigns

Access your competitor's special offers and any marketing campaigns. Determine how they are defining themselves. Evaluate any niche marketing -- perhaps they have located an untapped market that might be ripe for you as well.

5. Advertising

Where do your competitors spend their advertising dollars? Watch for trends -- an increase in spending may mean that a competitor has seen a significant return on investment, and it may represent a channel that you should also consider advertising in.

6. Evaluate Links

Determine who is linking to your competitor's websites. By using the special Google search feature links: domainname.com you can see the indexed web pages that link to a specific domain. Are you missing any important link opportunities?

7. Evaluate USP

Evaluate your competitors USP (Unique Selling Propositions). This will give you an idea of how a company sees themselves, and what they feel their strengths are. How does their unique selling proposition differ from yours. Are there areas within your company that need work so you can compete more effectively?

8. Industry Authority Assessments

How do industry authorities view the competition? Are they considered industry leaders, or is the space wide open with an undefined leader? Understanding how you stack up compared to your competitors will help you assess your strengths weaknesses, and define your business.

Knowing your competition is an important aspect to your business, but it should not be the sole factor that dictates your decisions. Educate yourself about your competitors so you can make informed decisions and compete effectively.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.

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This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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Tips for Public Speaking and Presenting
Public Speaking and Presenting
By Sharon Housley

Presentations can be a great way to attract new business, simply by making yourself more well-known. However, nerves can often get in the way of entrepreneurs who want to use speaking opportunities to develop their business. Follow these steps to overcome nerves and make a powerful presentation during your public speaking engagement...

Prepare

In order to conduct a proper presentation, you must prepare well in advance. The more familiar you are with the material being presented, the more at ease you will be when speaking publicly about it. In order to be an effective public speaker, it is very important that you know the material you are speaking about. Preparation goes a long way toward building confidence and calming nerves.

Know Your Audience

Perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of public speaking, yet one of the most important to a good presentation, is that the speaker have a clear understanding of who their audience is, and what material they wish to receive. The presentation should be relevant to the audience, and should be presented using a language and terminology they will understand.

Be Understandable

Project your voice, and speak at a volume level that is easy to hear. Test the microphone, and make sure that everyone can hear before beginning. If you are presenting to an International audience, be sure to speak slowly, and articulate your words. Use terminology and phrases that will be easily understood by all. If a subject requires complex terminology, be sure to define any difficult words.

Engage

Bring the audience into the presentation by asking open-ended questions. The topic material should be interesting, and should be presented in such a way that the audience will be engaged in the discussion or material. Consider spicing up the presentation with humor. Use personal stories to engage listeners.

Visuals

The visual presentation should not be lacking. Visual aids should reinforce key elements of a speech or presentation. The imagery should be used to help drive the important points home. If you are using a PowerPoint presentation, do a not make the slides too wordy. Instead, simply highlight key points visually, and use the presentation itself to elaborate. Use line graphics to show trends, and bar graphs for comparisons. Do not simply read the text from the slides word-for-word -- use the slides as bullet points that your presentation can then elaborate on.

Consider using PowerPoint Templates to make a professional appearing presentation http://www.ppt-templates.net

Inflections

Speak with emotion in your voice. Use vocal inflections to emphasize important points. A monotone vocal delivery tends to be extremely boring, and will put your audience to sleep very quickly.

Note Cards

Use note cards only as prompts. During your presentation, you should not read from your note cards. Look at the audience and make eye contact while presenting.

Transition

If you are moving from one subject to another, be sure to make a smooth transition from the subject material so that the presentation flows smoothly.

Practice

Practice makes perfect! It is unrealistic to think that you can perform better without practicing your presentation.

Avoid Plugs

Conference attendees typically do not like to be sold to during a presentation. Use your presentation to educate the audience about a specific subject, and do not use the presentation as a way to sell or advertise your product or service.

Close

Always close the presentation with a summary of the items that you discussed.

Keep in mind that the best presentations are often relevant, animated, engaging, and humorous.

About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.

**********************************************************

This article may be used freely in opt-in publications and websites, provided that the resource box is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net .

Additional articles available for publication available at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm

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