No one needs an MBA to find out how to build a website and start running a profitable online business.  In fact, you can find just about everything you need to know for free on the Internet.  On the other hand, there is the old expression, “you get what you pay for.”  The time may come when you’re ready to move beyond the basic practical steps you need to keep your business going.  When you do, you’ll find yourself in a position to grow your business in ways you hadn’t thought of before. Read the rest of this entry »

Like anyone else, you have your favorite websites.  Have you ever looked at them critically to find out why those websites are your favorites?  Chances are, competing websites offer you the same resources and services as your favorites.  Why do you stick with them?  Usability probably has something to do with it.  Want your customers to mark your site as a favorite?  Then make sure it’s usable! Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re wondering where, on your webpage, you could be using the terms you get from your keyword generator software, the answer is, “everywhere!”.  This may seem like common sense.  It may sound obvious.  But a number of people look at their keywords with tunnel vision.  Don’t be one of them!  Build your SEO and search engine rankings by throwing  your keyword generator into overdrive. Read the rest of this entry »

You already know that you can use inexpensive web hosting to quickly and easily set up a web page and start a business online.  And you may already know that you should keep your website fresh and appealing to customers by updating it periodically.  But updating it how?  What should go, and what should stay?  And what should you add next?

You can use email marketing through automatic responder software to generate traffic for your website.  You can also blog and tweet and keep a Facebook page going to take advantage of social networking.  And you can make sure everything you write and everything you post everywhere includes great keywords to raise your site’s profile.  And more. Read the rest of this entry »

One thing you may want to consider when setting up your online business and creating your own website are all the opportunities for training that are out there.  You have a lot of options besides the informational materials you should expect from your website host.  There are formal classes, webinars, online tutorials and videos—even books from your local public library.  Is any of it worth your time and money? Read the rest of this entry »

You may have been hearing about “Cloud” computing.  You may even have seen offers for services to take your business into “the Cloud”—some for free, some for small, monthly fees, and some for quite a bit more.  Descriptions of “the Cloud” you find in the media can be, well, cloudy.  If you’re using cheap web site hosting for your business, though, you’re already in there.  How much further into “the Cloud” you’d like to go is up to you. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’ve been looking at how to start Internet business, then you know it’s surprisingly easy.  And if you’ve been looking at the infrastructure you’ll need, like cheap website hosting, auto responder software, and such. then you know it’s surprisingly affordable.  But if you’ve been looking at the financial and economic news, you may be wondering if now is the right time, or if you should wait. Read the rest of this entry »