Casual Articles - Internet and Businesses Online

Persistance - Is it in you?
Getting your product into stores can be especially hard when you have not been down this road before. Having been there, I can give some advice as to what needs to be done. First of all you need to make sure your product is fully functional, of great quality and passed all government regulations and tests. This Industry Canada website gives a lot of information for someone looking for answers to some of their business start questions.Secondly, once you have a product that you think is viable you want to get feedback from some friends and strangers first. Why? You should have a sample before you make alot or order alot from some company overseas. You will get many reactions from your product; prototype or sample; some good maybe, some not so good. What you must do is take that constructive feed back and/or criticism and determine what works well and what you can change to make the product more sellable or attractive. However, remember this is just a small sample and does not mean it is the same as the actual end result.Now that you have received some feedback and maybe made some changes you need to get a greater response. You need to have some units to take to a store and some legal documents that you can use to get your item in the store, whether it is on credit, consignment or a straight trade transaction.No, you don't have to go straight to Wal-Mart, this may be possible, but it is good to test smaller stores in your local area first. You want to maintain as much control of your product in the beginning as possible and build a base. If you go straight to Wal-Mart you will have to meet large order quantities and wait for your transaction return for several months. Building a cash position by selling to smaller stores first can help you down the road and also gain some free exposure and limit risk. The only thing you may have to worry about is the timeline, you must keep the product unique before others copy or imitate it from China or locally.At this point you should have completed several transactions or have someone negotiate contracts professionally for you. After this stage you may seek financing from banks or other investors, perhaps angel investors, or friends providing you can guarantee some type of quality return. This will help increase your production time and turnaround capacity.These are some of the t

lications running simultaneously and then additionally have to open several different browsers to compare page layouts, then you’ll truly appreciate this addition. I can finally have ONE window of Internet Explorer open with a number of web pages displayed in different tabs (as I always could in other browsers.)

My only regret here is that there’s not yet a good, all-purpose, cross-browser compatible script to automatically open external links in new tabs rather than new windows. This would make a nice addition to Paul Boag’s External Links script that I (like many others) use so extensively. However, I’m sure that one will come along eventually.

RSS Integration

This is truly an awesome feature. I know that it’s already been a standard part of other browse

Search Engines (SEO): Being in the Top 10 is Not Enough
Most of us know by now that companies are making big bucks by getting their Websites positioned so that users will find them in the top 10 listings when they search on certain phrases (or keywords). What most of us don't know is, that's not all it takes. You might think up a phrase that just fits your product or service to a tee. You do all that's required to get your Website listed for those search words and WHALLAH - you're in the top 10. After awhile you realize that you're not actually conducting business. WHY! Well, to start with, chances are, not many people are actually searching on the keywords you decided on. You have to do research to make sure a significant number of people are actually searching on those words. Guessing is not an option. So you find a set of keywords that's really hot. Thousands of people are searching on them. BUT - to save your life you can't get your site to place in the top 10. You can't just find a hot set of keywords. You have to find a 'niche'. The ratio between the number of searches conducted and the number of Websites that qualify to be in position for the keywords is important. You want keywords where the number of searches is high but the number of Websites that meet those keywords is low. That's not easy to do. In fact, often when you do find them it's not months before half a million sites (whose owners found them too) suddenly appear, filling the search results. Even if you find a 'hot' set of keywords where the ratio of searches to the number of qualifying Websites is good, you still may very well not conduct much business. In fact, of all the searches that are conducted on the Internet, far less than 10% directly result in a sale. But - the operative word here is 'directly'. Consumer analysts are learning that even though searches may not 'directly' result in a sale, often, they do end up helping consumers decide what to buy, for how much and where. Yahoo and comScore recently conducted a study of searches involving the automotive industry. In the three month span of the study, 716 million Website visits involved some query for information about automobiles. The study found that out of those, 'only 6% engaged in actual shopping behavior'*. Out of that 6% only 32% actually requested a price quote on a car. The study concluded that even though only a small perce

Potentially more exciting than the arrival of a new phonebook is the planned automatic update of Microsoft’s web browser, Internet Explorer. If you haven’t already heard about it–and I’m sure that most of you have–Microsoft is planning to release the first major upgrade to Internet Explorer since IE6 in 2001. With many new features, security upgrades, and changes to the core software itself, it’s a totally new browser that will suddenly be the primary browser of a good 70% or more of your audience. Is your site ready for that? If you don’t know for sure, now’s the time to find out.

At some point during the next few months (the fourth quarter of this year,) Microsoft will be rolling out this upgrade as a high-priority, automatic update. That means that most Windows XP users will simply be online one day when they’ll receive a popup alert from the system tray saying that updates are ready for their computer. Virtually overnight, you’ll find most of your site visitors have made the switch.

This all seems straightforward enough until you consider someone like my father. My father is in his 70s. He browses the ‘Net daily. If presented with the option to install a security update, he has been trained to click accept (without trying to comprehend what specifically it is patching). If he accepts this and suddenly his browser experience changes (sites that used to render properly no longer work) he’ll be completely confused. He wouldn’t know how to uninstall.
- Tom Raftery IE7 + Automatic Update = support nightmare

Frankly, this is true for the majority of your users. Like it or not, once the change is made, there’ll be no going back. Certain questions then arise:

What will they see when they go to your site?
Should you panic?
Will you need to recode?
Are you ready for the new toys? (Didn’t expect that last one, did you.)

Let’s have a look at what this change will mean for your site.

Things to Be Happy About

Those of us that routinely use other browsers or check our sites out in multiple browsers will find a lot of very familiar things integrated into IE7. I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I’m happy for the changes and improvements they’ve made, but on the other, I find it annoying that a majority of non-technically-oriented web users will think of these as Microsoft innovations rather than Microsoft trying to catch up with everyone else’s innovations. Still, there is a lot to be happy about in this upgrade. Some of it–like improved web standards and CSS support–might require changes for some sites (That’s a good thing, really.) and some of it–like RSS integration–are an open opportunity to provide new services and gain a larger audience.

Tabbed Browsing

That’s right, tabbed browsing has finally made its way to Internet Explorer (boldly going where everyone else has been for quite some time.) If you’re like me and you regularly have to have a number of applications running simultaneously and then additionally have to open several different browsers to compare page layouts, then you’ll truly appreciate this addition. I can finally have ONE window of Internet Explorer open with a number of web pages displayed in different tabs (as I always could in other browsers.)

RSS Integration

This is truly an awesome feature. I know that it’s already been a standard part of other browser

False Complaints to Regulatory Bodies Hurt Small Business Too
Consumers often complain to the government on easy to use online complaint forms. Did you know that 70% of all complaints received by the SEC have no basis at all. It’s true. Same thing at most regulatory bodies; Business Opportunities and franchises are no different most of the complaints are false. But has the Federal Trade Commission ever done such a study to see how many are fake complaints to try to get free stuff? No, they have never studied this.If there are fewer than 1/10 of one percent complaints in franchising; why is the FTC proposing rule making changes and increasing regulations? They should reduce the disclosure, reduce the rules and let free enterprise solve the real problems that plague mankind, not add to the current bureaucracy. It is just not needed. Sure the Biz Op scams are out there and should be continually looked at.The Federal Trade Commission has so many other things to worry about without putting the final death nail in the franchising model, as middle class families of this country are struggling to make ends meet. A few of these families wish to include as part of their strategic plan to pursue happiness in business of their own. This is their definition of the American Dream and what better industry to provide that to them than the franchising model? What say you?Why is the Federal Trade Commission proposing more rules in an area of business that is geared towards creating jobs and economic growth? Doesn’t that seem counter productive to the process of free markets and strengthening our economy? Think about it.

e one day when they’ll receive a popup alert from the system tray saying that updates are ready for their computer. Virtually overnight, you’ll find most of your site visitors have made the switch.

This all seems straightforward enough until you consider someone like my father. My father is in his 70s. He browses the ‘Net daily. If presented with the option to install a security update, he has been trained to click accept (without trying to comprehend what specifically it is patching). If he accepts this and suddenly his browser experience changes (sites that used to render properly no longer work) he’ll be completely confused. He wouldn’t know how to uninstall.
- Tom Raftery IE7 + Automatic Update = support nightmare

Frankly, this is true for the majority of your users. Like it or not, once the change is made, there’ll be no going back. Certain questions then arise:

What will they see when they go to your site?
Should you panic?
Will you need to recode?
Are you ready for the new toys? (Didn’t expect that last one, did you.)

Let’s have a look at what this change will mean for your site.

Things to Be Happy About

Tabbed Browsing

RSS Integration

This is truly an awesome feature. I know that it’s already been a standard part of other browse

Increase Search Engine Rankings Using These Easy Tricks
Rank Booster #1 Increase Your Reciprocal Links - This is a time tested approach and it works in both Directories such as Yahoo! and also in Spider Search Engines such as Google. What you do is setup a link trading directory and make categories just like a mini Yahoo! except you have them all relate to your market. This provides keyword density and it also gives your link popularity a big boost. But please be warned that if you just go and get any links you can (i.e. untargeted links) you will be penalized rather than rewarded in your rankings.It's much better to get just a few high ranking link partners verses hundreds of unrelated and untargeted ones.Rank Booster #2 Add More ContentThis is a great technique that also works in both Directories and Spider Search Engines. By adding more content you will keep people who click over to your site there longer and this gets your ranking up in the Directories such as Yahoo! because they track how long a visitor stays at your site. If they click their back button then you will be shown as a site which doesn't help the visitor which will decrease your rank.You will get a higher ranking on the Spider Search Engines such as Google because they spider through your whole site seeing how many pages there are and this increases your ranking because you have more information there for there visitors.Both Directories and Search Engines love content and track how long people are staying at your pages which in turn also increases or decreases your rank based on how long they stay. If they stay longer, your rank goes up. If they click the back button immediately, your rank goes down.Rank Booster #3 Improve Your Sites Load TimeThis is another that works with both Spider Search Engines and Directories. This will improve your ranking in Directories because it will keep more of the visitors that click over to your site there longer. Internet users want information and they want it now. If your site loads like molasses then they are going to leave. Directories track how long a visitor stays at your site and rank you accordingly. If a visitor leaves immediately then you're rank goes down because your site was tagged as "not useful".It will improve your ranking in Spider Search Engines because the spiders check for load time and load speed is part of the ranking system wh

ightmare/">IE7 + Automatic Update = support nightmare

Frankly, this is true for the majority of your users. Like it or not, once the change is made, there’ll be no going back. Certain questions then arise:

What will they see when they go to your site?
Should you panic?
Will you need to recode?
Are you ready for the new toys? (Didn’t expect that last one, did you.)

Let’s have a look at what this change will mean for your site.

Things to Be Happy About

Tabbed Browsing

RSS Integration

This is truly an awesome feature. I know that it’s already been a standard part of other browse

The Management Team Section of the Business Plan - Don't Just Include Resumes
Even the best new concept or existing plan will fail if executed poorly. The Management Team section of the business plan must prove to the investor why the key company personnel are "eminently qualified" to execute on the business model.The Management Team section should include biographies of key team members and detail their responsibilities. It is important that these biographies are not merely resumes that include the educational backgrounds and previous job titles and responsibilities of the team members. Rather, biographies should highlight the most relevant past positions that the individuals have held and specific successes in each. These successes could include launching and growing new businesses or managing divisions of established companies.Team member biographies should be tailored to the company's growth stage. For instance, a start-up company should emphasize its management's success launching and growing companies. A more mature company should emphasize how team members have successfully operated within the framework of larger enterprises.Depending upon the stage of the company, key functional areas may be missing from the team. This is acceptable provided that the plan clearly defines the roles that these individuals will play and identifies the key characteristics of the individuals that will be hired. However, it is generally not favorable if personnel are missing for ultra-critical roles. For example, a plan that is fundamentally a marketing play should not seek financing without a stellar marketing team.The Management Team section should also include biographies of the company's Advisory Board and/or Board of Directors. While having well-known advisors/board members adds credibility to the business plan, it is highly effective to explain how these advisors will directly impact the company through strategic advice and/or providing conduits to key clients, partners, suppliers, etc.In summary, the Management Team section of the business plan is an opportunity to prove to investors that your company has the necessary talent to succeed. Rather than waste this opportunity by merely showing employee resumes, which could be included in the Appendix, the section should be used to explain precisely how the team is uniquely qualified to execute the venture in its present state.

for the changes and improvements they’ve made, but on the other, I find it annoying that a majority of non-technically-oriented web users will think of these as Microsoft innovations rather than Microsoft trying to catch up with everyone else’s innovations. Still, there is a lot to be happy about in this upgrade. Some of it–like improved web standards and CSS support–might require changes for some sites (That’s a good thing, really.) and some of it–like RSS integration–are an open opportunity to provide new services and gain a larger audience.

Tabbed Browsing

RSS Integration

This is truly an awesome feature. I know that it’s already been a standard part of other browse

Top Ten Things About Team Building
People who lead the best teams realise early on that they cannot run their business alone. It will either kill them or they will fail.Here are some of the ways the very best set about Team Building...Be ClearGreat team leaders have expressed a very clear vision and with it, simple expectations of their team.Are Fair and ConsistentThey have one set of rules and one set only - for everyone including themselves. Everyone knows the acceptable behaviour and standards.DelegateThe best Team Building comes through sharing key workload, enabling team members to succeed, develop and deliver the result.Leave Well AloneLeaders are very clear on what they want and then let go. They are not especially interested in how it is delivered, though they recognise the best results come from collaboration.Provide ResourcesGreat team leaders enhance the relationship with their team by ensuring that they have all they need to get the job done, whilst subtly alerting them to potential difficulties, without taking over.Give and Take FeedbackIn open and honest relationships, all members of the team are willing to give each other support and feedback - including the leader. Both ways.Blame No-oneTo truly enable a team of positive and willing contributors, risk is allowed! Using the phrase...'ask for forgiveness, not permission'...a great team evolves. Delivering outstanding results.Develop the TeamExcellent Team Building comes from growing together and a top team leader's mission is to make that happen. Synergies are exploited, experiences are shared and above all team members are challenged and stretched to maximise achievements, in a place of safety.Appreciate IndividualsThere are great individuals in great teams and the leaders job is to honour each and every one of them, whilst utilising those special, individual talents, in a co-creative team performance.Celebrate TogetherAnd boy do those best at Team Building know how to make the most of success - ready for the next challenge!So Team Building can be done - there are a few simp

RSS Integration

This is truly an awesome feature. I know that it’s already been a standard part of other browsers, but, because 70% to 90% of your users are surfing the web with nothing but Internet Explorer, the sudden ability to read and subscribe to RSS feeds right in their browser will be a totally new experience. If your site already has an RSS feed, then now’s the time to start planning how you might promote it to a more main-stream audience as well as how you might make it a more prominent part of your pages. If your site doesn’t, then now’s the time to start working on one.

The new feed button for IE7 remains grayed out and inactive while viewing pages without a recognizable feed (RSS1, RSS2, Atom, etc.) and then springs to vivid, orange life when viewing a page that has one. I don’t know about you, but I’d like it to be one of MY sites that a user first notices this strange new button on. You know it has to be tried at least once just to see what it does, and what it does is tell your users that there’s even more content available from your site then they may have ever been aware of otherwise.

The drop-down list of available feeds and feed types next to the button is a potential source of confusion for non-technical users, but most will simply click the main button and get the topmost, default feed. Upon clicking it, however, they get not only a new feed page, but some helpful information about feeds and how to use them. My favorite part, though, is the bolded statement in the yellow box that says, "You are viewing a feed that contains frequently updated content." That’s practically an unsolicited advertisement for viewing your feed. I really have to thank Microsoft for including that.

Between all the browsers that I’ve tried (Firefox, Opera, and IE7) and all the feed readers I’ve tried out (including Outlook 2007 RSS) nothing beats the simplicity and ease of reading feeds of IE7.
- Greg Kniffin RSS Feed Readin' - IE7 is king

They’ve even gone a step further and added a sidebar allowing users to sort or filter your feed by date, title, author, and even category. Those categories, by the way, are the ones you’ve assigned to each piece of feed content. A little careful forethought in this department could net you some permanent, new site users viewing your content and, more especially, your advertising–especially if you pad every RSS "post" with some kind of incentive to click back through to your main pages.

Extensibility

One of the problems that Internet Explorer has always had was its inherent lack of extensibility. It was a proprietary, Microsoft application meant to do only what Microsoft had in mind when they shipped it–nothing more. This misguided approach froze it into being a passive browser. Firefox, with its numerous extensions, changed all that along with everyone’s concept of what a browser could be and what it can do.

With IE7, Microsoft has seen the light of following this approach, and they’re not stepping in with nothing either. They’re starting right out with some heavy-hitters, two of which immediately caught my eye, the D

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Making money online through gaming sites may seem like a speculative gamble, but there is a very simple way to take advantage of the hugely successful online industry.

How to get good at a lucrative web design business – it will require some hard work and testing, but it can certainly be done, even if you are just starting out. A lucrative web design business is one great way to explode your internet business.

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