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Home-Based Business Leadership Skills
Home-Based-Business Leadership Skills
By Mark Shaner
Home-based-business leaders make decisions quickly and change
their minds slowly.
This has been my experience throughout my entire thirty-two
years of managing my own businesses....
Making Money in Your Underwear! The Jeff Paul Marketing System
No, no! Im not talking about how to make money by selling underwears on the Internet Im talking about Jeff Paul, the super marketing guru of 90s who shouted How I Earn $4,000 a Day Sitting at My Kitchen Table in My Underwear? But its a...
Preventing Malicious Spyware or Adware from Hijacking Your Computer
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it had used existing fair trade laws in asking a federal court to shut down some of the leading distributors of malicious spyware or adware software. This type of malicious software may be lumped...
Starting Your At-Home Voice-Over Business
Thinking of getting into the voiceover business full time, specifically, opening your own in-house voice-over studio? Good for you! Its a really great way to make a living! OK. Youve got the dream. Now lets see what it takes to make it a...
Those Little Things
Moving to another state meant finding a new dentist. I tried one a neighbor recommended who seemed friendly, competent and eager to please. But, I never went back. His office was a case study on the importance of little things. The coat hook was...
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Website Development: Become Your Own Expert
Starting and maintaining a business is challenging enough without the additional financial burden of hiring a web site expert to put your vision on paper. If you are starting your business on a shoe string budget, hiring someone to take your written materials to type in a basic format, add a few pictures and edit what you tell them periodically may not be sound money management.
It is not necessary to be a computer wiz to develop your web site. You do have to know your product or service and be able to follow directions. Even if you have a web site consultant, hands on content and presentation development will be your responsibilitythe buck still stops with you. Before you hire that web site expert, consider the following information. It may save you money and unnecessary waste of time.
One strategy is to utilize web site packages that provide software to enable you to select the number of pages needed, choose background color schemes, and will include download features that will identify various products and services you offer. These packages offer you control over content 24 hours, 7 days per week, as opposed to contracting someone at $450-$600 for initial development then $50-$75 per hour to generate the inevitable changes in content as you grow your business. In addition, most web site consultants include fine print detailed costs for adding pictures or changing landscape.
Although you do not have to speak an unfamiliar computer language to master the development of your business web site, you do have to know your product or service and a commitment to marketing and developing your business. Lets take a look at the basics of web site development for a five (5) page site:
1.What do you want your visitor to see when they visit your site? Begin with colors for background and the printed words. Depending on the service or product, it will either be a soft gray background with black or maroon print or black or dark blue background with white print. Others may have pastel colors with soft print. Color selections are based on the product or message.
2.What information should the visitor see first? The Welcome page should be viewed as the same as the welcome mat at your door. Its content will convey the purpose of your business or service. Your welcome message can be developed using the executive summary section of your business plan.
Remember, you are introducing the product or service and giving your visitor a brief overview of what they can find on the other pages of your site. You are letting potential customers know they are in the right place. You have 15 seconds to capture your audience. Not unlike other personal presentations, dont waste time on unnecessary words. Get to the point. Entice them to want to know more. Information on this page, therefore, must be prepared by someone who knows the company and its products or services. Even with a web site consultant, no one can better describe your company than you. The basic facts will come from you. NO passing the buck here.
3.Who are you? The About Us page is your brag bag opportunity. This is where you talk about business accomplishments and expertise, awards and recognition. You can also provide a brief overview of yourself (especially if you are promoting consulting services) or background and expertise of any partners or key staff.
4.What are you selling? The product or Service page. Here is your sales pitch opportunity page. Describe how your product or service will be useful to your target market. Why is it unique? Who will it help? Why should they purchase it? This page, more than any other, will be fine tuned on a regular basis in the beginning. Wording, pictures, headings, etc. may need to be adjusted and revised as you develop and grow your business. For this reason alone, control over your web site should be a paramount consideration. Pictures are worth
thousands of dollars.
Investing in an inexpensive digital camera is worth the effort and cost. Your ability to take pictures of your product and download to your site provides immeasurable savings of time, money, and aggravation in the long haul.
Even when you turn the web site maintenance and operation over to marketing staff, as your business grows, there is something to be said for a business owner who can not only manage but has basic mastery of its internet operations.
5.How can they buy the product or use the service? The Contact and Order Page provides easy access to you or a company representativeessential to business growth. In this fast paced society, people still want to know they can communicate and receive immediate responses to inquiries they may have and gain clarity about the services or products they are purchasing. This page can include an auto responder (auto responder means providing a section for automated responses to questions).
Individuals complete the auto responder form on this page, including name and e-mail information. In the comment section, they provide and specific concerns or questions. The message is automatically sent to your e-mail. You can automatically respond). This is a great way to build your customer base and attract new customers while exchanging information and ideas. Including Auto Responders also suggests you care about customer opinions and concerns.
As an order page, you can investigate several e-commerce companies that provide merchant accounts so that people can buy immediately. Pay Pal is one free merchant on line account services. Your customers identify the product to purchase, can pay through a secured system and you follow up by shipping the orders. There is a charge for the sales transaction. There are others.
The important consideration is knowledge that you do not have to expend hundreds of dollars in the start up phase to enter the competitive market professionally, ready to serve your market.
Be Mindful of Traps
After reading this article, you may feel challenged by the process of web site development. My caution is that you take each step a bite at a time. If you decided to contract with an independent web site consultant, make sure you have direct contact with this individual via phone or visit. Prepare a list of questions including clarity about the level of control you will have over your site.
What is the rate for additional and ongoing costs? Have the consultant detail, in writing, exactly what is included in the basic development package, how they charge for maintenance of the web site, and when does it begin (for some charges do not occur until the site is up and running; for others charges begin as soon as they have completed the design).
Be sure the final contract for service is in writing, providing a clause for both to terminate the agreement, with proper notice, without penalties for you. Ask questions! Ask questions! Ask Questions! The only stupid question is the one you dont ask. The key is that you establish a comfort level before moving forward.
All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to electronically reprint the following article as long as no changes are made and the byline, copyright information, and resource box. Minimal content editing is allowed; however, you may request changes to the content byline: e-mail VMA@meetingtheneeds.org with necessary changes. Off line printing is permitted. Please send a copy of the article on publication to: VMAssociates, Inc., PMB 47182, Windsor Mill, MD 21244.
About the Author
Theresa V. Wilson, M.Ed. is a freelance writer and owner of a home based business dedicated to providing products and resources for grieving families and caregivers facing health recovery and crisis related issues. Her Grief and Health support sites are www.meetingtheneeds.org and www.renewingyourhealth.org
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