Successful Blog

Great Websites Mean Business

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Customer Feedback Comment Vote Review Results ConceptHow much time and effort do you put into your website?

For some business owners, the answer to that question is simply not enough.

Even though many of them know how important their websites are to their brands, they simply fail to interject themselves into the process. As a result, they are oftentimes missing out on revenue.

So, what can you do as a business owner to make sure as many consumers as possible are seeing what you have to say and offer online?

Spend the Time and Effort Needed Online

So that your brand can get maximum exposure online, remember the following tips:

  • Website design – First and foremost, your website is your online business card, so it can’t afford to flop. Do periodic reviews to make sure the site is clicking on all cylinders, especially when it comes to design and content (see more below). As for your design, you want a site that is appealing to consumer eyes, not one that makes them want to come and go in less than a minute. Whether consumers are doing a license plates search, real estate hunting, searching for home remodeling tips, travel bargains, you need to make them feel welcomed. Always be sure to keep a design that doesn’t feel like one must work their way through a maze. If your site is loaded with bad links, pages that seem out of order in terms of the flow etc. you stand a good chance of not getting those consumers back again;
  • Website content – Your content is the backbone of your website, so don’t drop the ball here either. As for your content, it needs to be fresh and authoritative. Produce content in your blog for starters, content that is going to resonate with as many consumers as possible. For example, consumers coming to your site for information related to vehicles of all kinds (buying vehicles, license plate searches, selling vehicles, registering cars and trucks etc.) want to know what the latest trends are in these areas. If now is not a good time to be selling used cars and trucks, explain why that is in a post or two. You can (and should) also include references and comments to authorities in this particular industry. Also make your content available not just on your site, but other relevant sites too. If unsure on how to go about this, you simply look to provide guest blog posts for other related websites. In return, you offer those individuals the opportunity to provide you with relevant copy to post on your website. The sharing of content is a smart move for several reasons, most notably because it puts your content in front of more eyes when all is said and done;
  • Social media – Part of having a great website is getting consumers and other businesses to recognize it. You can accomplish that goal when you promote your offerings on social media. If you do not already have them, create pages on sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+ etc. In doing so, you have platforms with which to promote your content. Even though you do not have to be using social media 24/7/365, you can’t use it on occasion, especially if you want to make an impact with the public. Set aside time daily to work on your social media promotions. Once you share your blog posts and other relevant links on social networking sites, always make an effort to engage with those consumers (and others) commenting on your offerings. This engagement will help you not only further potential relationships, but it shows you to be a business that is listening to what the public has to say. In today’s busy world, that engagement can oftentimes be the difference between getting new customers and missing out on them.

Yes, you have plenty to do as a business owner, so it can be easy to let your website slip down a few notches on the list of important things to focus on day in and day out.

That said never let your website be the lost child.

With a sound website strategy, you show you mean business, all the while getting new business too.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

How Are You Leading Your Employees?

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Senior Business Man Working On Office Table With Smiling Face HaWhat do you look at as being your assets leading a company?

Some business owners are natural-born leaders, having those impeccable qualities that it takes to oversee others.

Meantime, some business owners acquire those traits over years of working for others, seeing what works and what does not work in running a company.

No matter how you came about being a leader, passing those abilities on to others over the years is one of the best contributions you can make as a business owner.

With that being the case, how are you leading your employees?

How to Be a Great Leader

In your efforts to be the best leader you can be in running a business, remember these tips to help others along the way:

  • Be an example – First and foremost, leading by example is crucial if you want to have a strong business model. When your employees see how it is done, they’re more likely to give you their best. On the flip side, being a yeller and a screamer does you or your employees absolutely no good. Yes, there are times when you will become frustrated in the workplace, but cooler heads should always prevail. If you have a problem with one or more employees, settle those issues professionally and in a private;
  • Be calm – As mentioned a moment ago, being calm under fire is a great characteristic to have as a business leader. When times get tough (and you know they certainly do), work to find solutions. Part of those solutions may come from your days ascending to a leadership role. Whether you took college courses in business management and leadership areas or got first-hand experience in jobs over the years, the ability to design how you want to lead is critical;
  • Be confident – There will be times when your business undergoes some transformations and/or some rough spots. Employees will look to you as the calming force to get them and your brand through it all. Showing a side of confidence (not cockiness or arrogance) is crucial during those times. As you guide your business through some difficult stretches or even unchartered waters, many of your employees will see you as a business owner they will want to be tied to for years to come. In doing so, you accrue loyalty from many of those under you, assuring you that you have a formidable team to go to battle with each and every day;
  • Be open – Do you currently have an open-door policy for employees wanting to vent when necessary? If not, you should consider doing just that. While it is not the job of your employees to complain about this and that in the workplace, they will on occasion want to discuss matters with you, matters that could be impacting their ability to fully get the job done. It could be an issue with a customer or customers, perhaps a matter with another co-worker, or how the overall business model is or is not working. When employees feel relaxed and confident in talking with you, it is a win-win for them and of course for you;
  • Be a future thinker – Finally, while your business is living in the present times, you have to think about where you want your brand to be five years down the road, three years down the road, even a year from now. Having an eye on where things are trending in your industry and how those trends will impact your brand are both important. That thinking towards the future is also important for your employees. If they see you talking gloom and doom about your business and/or your industry, do you really expect lots of them want to stick around? When you talk about growing your business, seizing the opportunities that are out there, you paint a much more positive vision for all.

Being a leader can certainly be stressful at times, but would you want it any other way?

There are many people who end up fearing leadership; many others take the bull by the horns and run with it.

When all is said and done, which one are you?

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

Will Your Brand Stand Apart from the Crowd?

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Progress Forward Movement Momentum Measure Advancing Results 3dPromoting your brand is something that sometimes can seem like a 24/7 job.

But what if you failed to properly promote your brand? Could your business stand on its own two feet or would the end be in the near future for your company?

With all the competition that is out there for so many different businesses, it is important to separate oneself from the crowd.

In some cases, you may be able to do that all on your own. In other instances, you need the help of experts, experts knowing how to get the most brand attention possible.

So, will your brand stand apart from the crowd?

Know Where to Deliver Your Message

In running your business, you either hire brand promotion experts in-house or you seek outside help. Either way, do not convince yourself that this is not a priority, it truly is.

If you go in search of a media buying agency, what qualifications should they have?

For starters, any agency you consider doing business with must have the ability (and experience for that matter) to dig deep and truly understand who your audience is.

As an example, if you’re selling real estate, you shouldn’t be necessarily targeting the elderly. Yes, some elderly do change homes and/or apartments from time to time, but most will end up staying in their homes until they choose to move into a retirement center or pass away.

When you deploy a media buying agency to work with you in promoting your brand; they do the research (and analyze it) to truly get a better feeling of your audience.

Remember, consumers in 2016 have many avenues they can turn to in order to buy the products and services they rely on, so don’t make matters more complicated than they need to be.

Having a better feel for your audience includes knowing about their buying habits (where they like to shop, when they like to shop, about how much money they are likely to spend per shopping experience), approximately how much income they bring in on a yearly basis, whether or not they like to travel, if they have any important medical needs etc.

With knowledge of your audience and what types of shopping habits they demonstrate, the next key is seeing how your products and/or services can capture their attention, leading to more sales.

Don’t Ever Assume

For example, if you sell home healthcare products for senior citizens, where will you direct much of your marketing and advertising needs?

Remember, although the elderly typically do not spend as much time on the Internet as their younger counterparts, you would be foolish to avoid all online marketing and advertising initiatives directed at senior citizens. That would also include not having a presence on social media.

It is important to note that many elderly individuals and couples are limited in terms of physical mobility. As a result, they can’t get out to stores, malls etc. as much as younger folks. In turn, this means a fair amount of the elderly use the Internet to browse for and ultimately buy goods and services.

So, imagine if you had zero online advertising and marketing initiatives directed at senior citizens? Do you see now why you would be missing out on a piece of the pie?

Lastly, be sure to socialize your brand’s message.

Whether you are using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, LinkedIn or countless other social mediums, you should be pounding your message home regularly on such sites.

Once again, don’t discount the elderly or any other group for that matter, thinking that social medium is a wasteland for many consumers.

As it turns out, many consumers check their social media sites on a daily basis, oftentimes more than once.

By being there and offering them valuable products and services, you once again increase the odds of seeing your sales numbers going up.

Standing apart from the crowd is not rocket science, but it does take some time and effort on the part of anyone working with your brand, along with you and your team.

If a media buying agency was not on your radar before, paint a new image moving forward.

 Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

Are Identity Theft Thieves Eyeing Your Business?

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Keyboard With Blue Security KeyIs your business as fully protected as you would like it to be?

For those running businesses with physical locations (office spaces etc.), keeping intruders out is a relatively easy task.

You have locks on the door, perhaps video cameras watching over your building, maybe even security guards. No matter what it takes to keep your office and workers safe, you’re willing to do it.

But what about those intruders you can’t see coming through your workplace doors? How do you keep them at arm’s length?

As all too many business owners have unfortunately discovered, identity theft thieves are a problem, a problem that has potential to cost those running companies major dollars. When you throw in the notion of upset customers, things can get out of hand rather quickly.

With that being the case, are identity theft thieves eyeing your business?

Take Steps to Protect Your Company

So that you can keep your business (and your employees) as safe as possible, are you covering the following bases?

  • Physical safety – Going to and from work should not be a big deal, but some employees (depending on where the office is located) may feel threatened at times en route to and leaving the office. Do all you can to assure them that they have nothing to worry about during this part of their day. If your office is in a rough part of town, either look to hiring security and/or recommending workers travel in pairs or larger groups during the day or night;
  • Identity theft – It is oftentimes the hidden dangers that can be the most damaging for a business owner. If online criminals are targeting your business, do not take the threat lightly. Just one successful identity theft attack against your brand has the potential to do major financial damage, along with the negative public relations fallout that would ensue. While online criminals are always looking for new ways to go about striking businesses (and consumers for that matter), you can lessen the odds you will be hit by making sure your online security software is as strong as it can be. One problem for business owners may be that they feel they are too busy to sort through the various security software programs on the market. As a result, they open themselves and their brand up to attack. One means to solve this part of the equation is by turning to services that review various security software programs. Whether you opt for an Identity Guard review or others on the market, the time spent doing so will prove well worth it. Once you have a security software program in place, make sure it is regularly updated;
  • Employee awareness – Since your employees are the bread and butter of your organization, it is imperative that they are part of your front line of defense against criminal actions. Whether it is a customer trying to get away with something to damage your business or an employee trying to cheat the company, your employees’ eyes and ears always should be focused. Unfortunately, some employees have been known to (and were caught) commit identity theft against their employers and/or customers. You should always have a system of checks-and-balances in place to lessen the odds of this problem occurring in the first place. For example, having one employee in charge of the books (accounting etc.) may seem ideal, what if that person has some dishonest intentions in mind? Having another set of eyes to review the books etc. is certainly not a bad idea. In the event you catch one or more employees committing illegal acts against your business (stealing money, identity theft etc.), make sure they are not only susceptible to losing their jobs, but could also face legal action.

Whether the threats come from outside your business or ultimately prove to be inside jobs, you can’t put your brand at risk.

Do your best to limit the chances of one or more people taking your business to the cleaners.

Remember, it is not only the financial fallout that occurs from identity theft and/or employees stealing from you, but you also lose credibility among your customers when such acts take place.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

Account for Your Business Needs

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Businesswoman Calculating TaxIf you could name one thing as a business owner keeping you awake at night, what would it be?

Some business owners may say it is the challenge of putting together consistent marketing and advertising campaigns for their brands.

Others, meantime, may point to whether or not they are making the right hires.

For others, it is the financial aspect of running a business, being able to make sure the company stays in the black and avoids dipping into the red zone too often.

No matter what might have you awake at night in running a company, there are means available to lessen those fears.

Most importantly, are you able to account for your business needs?

Getting the Right People in the Right Places

One of your biggest challenges in overseeing a company is making sure you have the right people in the right places.

You can look at your business as operating a bus, having each occupant in a certain seat.

While you should never downplay the time and effort each employee brings to your business, most employees have a specific role within your company. That means having the most talented and experienced people in the most important positions.

One such position is the person or persons handling your accounting needs.

Stop for a moment and think about how important having good finances in place is for a business, especially if you are a small business owner.

Unlike larger operations that typically have extra financial capital to help them survive the tough times, smaller companies are oftentimes playing with a smaller margin of error. As a result, just one or two financial mistakes can cause a major ripple effect through the entire company.

For those individuals overseeing your accounting, they may have come into the position at an early period for your company, perhaps even when you opened up.

Over time, financial matters and needs change, meaning your accounting folks need to stay on top of things at all times.

If you feel they may need some additional education, consider the idea of online accounting degree programs.

By taking and completing such coursework, your accounting professionals are better suited to serve you and your staff.

Taking such coursework in today’s world is made even easier by the fact that the materials can be studied and completed online. Instead of employees having to worry about commuting to and from classes after work, they can do much of their studying and testing from the comforts of home.

Employers Have Role to Play

While you want your employees to be as educated as possible, you also have a role to play as their employer.

Keep in mind that many workers in today’s economic climate are oftentimes juggling more than one job. They may work for you in a full-time capacity, but they might also leave after work to go to a part-time job. Meantime, some of your employees go straight home after work to care for families.

No matter what the circumstances may be, you likely have a fair number of workers that must juggle expenses on a regular basis, expenses that may deter them from wanting to expand their levels of education.

In those cases, this is where you as an employer can step in and contribute.

As more business owners have discovered over time, it is worth paying for a portion or even all of an employee’s education during their employ with you.

Not only do you get a better employee in most cases, but it serves as an incentive for people to want to come and join your company. Seeing that you care about things like more education can be the difference when a potential employee is looking at taking a job with you or a competitor. They can see that with more education, there will likely be more chances to advance in the company, ultimately leading to more income.

If you have been thinking about contributing to an employee’s education during their time with you, areas such as accounting, departmental management, sales and marketing etc. are all key components of a successful business.

Is it time for you to account for your business needs?

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

Your Business Can’t Afford a Tax Disaster

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Behind On Your BillsDo you ever stop to think about how many hours you truly put into running your business? In the event you do, the numbers could possibly be mind-blowing.

As most business owners, overseeing a business oftentimes means working more than the typical 9 to 5 routine. In fact, it can mean long hours and the feeling at times like you will never quite get ahead.

Now, imagine what your business life would be like if you throw a tax problem into the mix. Think it can’t happen to you?

For too many business owners, issues with the Internal Revenue Service can prove both financially and mentally taxing.

That said how will you make sure that your business avoids disaster when it comes to your taxes?

Tax Attorney Can Mean All the Difference

For those business owners running into taxing issues, it is crucial that they try and not go it alone.

When hiring the right tax attorney to stand up and fight for you, you improve your odds of having any potential financial losses go against you and your company.

So, how do you go about hiring the best tax attorney out there?

Remember, you need someone skilled enough to know the various tax codes, rules, and regulations on the book.

You also require someone willing to take your case because they want to assist you; simply not get a payment due to your misfortunes.

When it comes to finding the best and brightest tax attorneys out there, be it MCC4Tax or another such business, keep these tips in mind:

  • Selection process – The key is always to weed out those tax attorneys best not suited to meet your needs. How much experience do they have? Are they experts at predicting what the government will try and prove when going after business owners? In such efforts, can they shoot down any arguments by the other side, allowing their clients (possibly you) to come out a winner? Do they come highly recommended from other business owners (see more below), owners that relied on their legal expertise to win their cases? Those are but a few of the questions you should expect to have answers for before you choose your legal representation;
  • Client testimonials – As a business owner yourself, do you at times rely on client testimonials to enhance your business reputation? If the answer is yes, then apply that same line of thinking in searching for a tax attorney. He or she should be someone who comes highly recommended by others. If you view and/or listen to client testimonials, make sure you clearly hear what others are saying about your prospective tax attorney. What sets him or her apart from the others in this profession? While you likely will have to pay a little more for better legal representation, it may be the best spent money you will discover over time;
  • After the selection is made – Once you have your tax attorney working for you, make sure he or she is totally up to speed on your case. You may have made a simple error on your taxes, an error that can be easily corrected. On the other hand, a more notable mistake or mistakes can involve much more work by your attorney. Be sure to provide them with all pertinent details about your business, your tax filings etc. The ultimate goal is to have any and all charges during an audit reversed to go in your favor. If they are not changed, your business can take a hit on several fronts. First, the financial hit alone can prove quite damaging. Secondly, word oftentimes spreads quickly in the business community. Consumers hearing about your “questionable” business practices may be deterred from wanting to do business with you the next time around or even the first time around.

Knowing your business simply can’t afford a tax disaster, it is important that you carefully select your tax attorney.

Remember, he or she will try their best to save you a financial headache, a headache that can have implications beyond just finances.

When you are in need of a tax attorney, vet them properly, choosing the one best suited to get you a victory at the end of the day.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.