Successful Blog

What Social Networks Can Do For Your Small Business

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Alex Summers

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What Social Networks Can Do For Your Small Business

If you’re a small business owner, you can use social media networks to establish your company’s presence on the Internet. These tools can help you keep in touch with current customers and help you find new clients. Your business must adapt to the online marketplace to take advantage of the Internet.

How to Connect With Your Audience

If you already have a website for your business, you can improve it by adding a blog. A blog allows your regular visitors to easily see your latest news and updates. Additionally, visitors can use the comment portion of your blog to give you instant feedback. Be sure to save backup copies of your blog files to an external hard drive. This will help you get your blog running again after a server failure or other technological catastrophe.

Social networks give you another way to directly communicate with your customers. Twitter and other similar networks allow you to strike up a conversation with a customer through a series of short messages. Your customers can use these networks to get help with your products or services.

Many Internet users today have their own Facebook account. Creating a Facebook account for your business gives your customers a new way to reach you. Your Facebook profile can share important information about your company, including contact details and special deals.

The Benefits

Using these tools helps you to establish yourself on the Internet. Today’s Internet users expect their favorite businesses to have an online presence. Many customers want to have the ability to talk to a company representative when they need help with a product. Some consumers will forget about a company that lacks an online presence.

Social networks also provide you with easy ways to advertise your business for free. Through Facebook and Twitter, you can talk to thousands of people at no charge. You can use these tools to tell people more about your business and your story.

Additionally, when you communicate with a regular customer through these networks, your potential customers can see how you publicly handle your business. Through positive online interactions, you can help generate buzz for your company. You may even attract new customers just from responding quickly to your current clients.

Social networking tools can help your small business find a place in the modern business world. Learning how to use these tools effectively will take time, but your company may find new customers due to your efforts.

Author’s Bio:
Alex is a blogger, freelance writer and recent college graduate. She currently performs market research for an online marketing firm when she is not contributing her own thoughts and observations to the online community.

How to Compete in Logistics to Grow Your Business

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Alan Murfee

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What Is and Why Logistics?

Logistics deals with where, to whom and how the product is to be supplied.

Due to the increasing online businesses, the demands of the logistics services have taken a huge leap. With the growing importance of timely and efficient delivery, many successful firms outsource their logistics services. The competition in the logistics business has grown fiercer and impending recession has further worsened the situation.

How to Compete in Logistics to Grow Your Business

Whatever product your business might build or deliver, logistics is how you get that product to the people who want and need it. So to maintain the strong hold of your business in market and to grow it, use the following helpful tips when making decisions about how to deliver the best of your business:

  • Plan Ahead: There is nothing more beneficial than planning well ahead in time. It does not just minimize the scope of any last minute problems but also gives you quite some time to plan each and every detail thus leaving nothing to chances. The shipping of large consignments is never easy and that too when it has to be transported overseas. So, making a checklist would greatly help in proper implementation of the task.
  • Avoid panicking: Panic hinders you from taking right decisions and judgment. So, avoid panicking if a delivery gets delayed or a consignment gets misplaced. Keeping cool in such stressing situations would multiply your effective logistics management skills. When a situation goes out of control, you should come up with temporary solution rather than going tizzy.
  • Relationship along the supply chain: An efficient logistics solution knows that their entire operation relies on an effective supply chain, especially during an impending recession. So, a strong relationship with the suppliers and vendors becomes utmost important. As there is nothing better than the good words to attract and retain the clientele.
  • Research Market and Identify partners: Develop an effective strategy to effectively research the market for potential clients and partners. This would not just give you an edge over other competing services but will also generate huge profits in the long run. At the same time, keeping the high standard of the services will maintain the client base for you, thus giving you an edge over the other competitors.
  • Logistics strategy: Logistics is not about timely shipments of the products but also maintaining the funds for efficient supply chains. So, to be the best 3PL globally, you need to look for the cost effective strategies for the timely overseas shipments. The modes of transportation should cover sea, road, rail and air. Having a tie-up with these services will not only reduce the transportation cost but with the increased efficiency more and more companies will choose your logistics business over the others.

Staying strategic about logistics can add the advantage that can grow your business and even move it into a category of one.

Author’s Bio:
Alan Murfee writes about Logistics Solution. You can find him (or her) on Twitter as @Alan

Top Rated Content Management Systems to Run Your Site

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Franklyn Stephen

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Whether you’re planning to build a corporate website, a creative blog or just want to make your presence on the web, hand-coding HTML pages and CSS are becoming obsolete. Nowadays all it takes is to buy a hosting and install a content management system (CMS), add a theme and within minutes you can have a website that looks extremely stylish and displaying the very content that you like to share with the world.

Of course, there are lots of ways in which you may use your website, from displaying a gallery of images to advertising your business, running a technical support page or even an online magazine website. This is why; there are many content management systems available, each with their own strength.

The following are the Top 5 Content Management Systems that are rated by downloads and user experience.

WordPress

Without doubt the most accessible and commonly used is WordPress. The power of WordPress is in its fast installation, huge user, vast array of plugins and enhancement for the platform.

Throw in the extra bonus of a vast template library and easy to edit PHP and CSS file from admin screen, it becomes clear that why WordPress is used for the whole thing from personal blogs to business websites.

For setting up or customize your WordPress blog or Website, check out WordPress Customization service providers.

Joomla

A quick view on Joomla website will make sure that plenty of websites are running on the software and the reason behind is easy to use, customizable and appropriate for pretty much any use.

This is why Joomla is frequently used by SME’s, big organizations, non-profits and individual organization. Joomla’s admin section is user friendly and with the vast collection of features from templates to adding pages and menus; at last you will come to know why Joomla is an accurate choice.

You can download latest version of Joomla and try it now it’s free.

Drupal

A famous free open source content management system is Drupal, It is one of the best choices while developing a new website. Like various tools listed here, Drupal can be used for personal blogs or huge websites and like WordPress there are millions of modules that can be added to enlarge functionality.

By Clicking on the image, it will redirect you to the home page where you will be able to take a look at the showcase of websites made with Drupal. It is significance noting that questions from the user group of people about apparent failings in latest versions are yet to be entirely addressed by developers; but Drupal remains as well-liked solution.

Concrete5

Plan to make it feasible for anybody to build and manage a website without investing a lot of time and cost then you need to go with Concrete5.It has been appears to be doing excellent job.

This content management system is eventual time saving solution to designers, developers and website owners alike, which almost certainly accounts for its reputation. User-friendly, with a well-built focus on the end user, web designer and developer, Finally Concrete5 is definitely worth a look.

You can find more details by visiting Concrete5 website. Check with experts to customize your Concrete5.

CMS Made Simple

CMS Made Simple has an attractive smart name. Its initials are represents CMS, which makes it recursive. CMS Made Simple was launched in 2009. Though, it is already downloaded by millions of people and become popular for many reasons.

CMS Made Simple aims to offer its users to easy to develop and customize a website without any technical knowledge. If you don’t be set to hack around with the essential code that powers your website, CMS Made Simple is best solution for you.

Conclusion

If you’re wondering to choose best CMS platform for your website or blog, then your best bet is to hit each of the links above and download the software and install it. There are different things you should consider while choosing a CMS and these are all knowledgeable only through your own potential, your objective and the purpose of the website or a blog. Just choosing one among them and using it without being aware of that particular CMS how you will use it, these things makes waste a lot of time for us. Be sure while choosing your best fit content management system. If you’re still wondering about the exact solution for your website always check with CMS customization experts.

Author’s Bio:
Franklyn Stephen Issac.J is a webmaster having substantial four years of experience in analytics, Search engine optimization, social media marketing, SEM and PPC. His company Actmedia.net customizes Content Management Systems and shares his great passion for analytics and ecommerce solutions. More than 50 keywords ranked prove his strong insight knowledge on keyword research and analysis.

Top 5 Things to Consider When You’re Blogging and Traveling

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How to blog

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Amanda DiSilvestro

Blogging on the Go: How to Make Traveling the World “Work” for You

This post coming to you from a campervan somewhere between Byron Bay and Sydney, Australia — it can be tough to try and keep your blog up and running while you’re on the go. One of the greatest things about being a blogger and writer is the idea that you can do your writing from anywhere, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. This also doesn’t mean that you should sit home and let this great opportunity pass you by, but it does mean that you have to come up with some focus and discipline; fast.


Image: Can blogging while
you travel work out for you?

Working from home and working while you are traveling are two very different things. If you’ve been able to manage getting your work done with the lack of a real office, then you’re certainly off to a good start when it comes to working while on the go. However, there are a few things that are different and a few other qualities that you will likely need if you want to be successful as you travel wherever that plane or campervan may take you.

Top 5 Things to Consider When You’re Blogging and Traveling

It’s important to remember that working while traveling isn’t for everyone (as great as it may sound). Below are a few tips to help you make sure that you’re ready to be a traveling blogger:

  1. Get ready to work while you’re in the car or on a train or bus.

    Traveling often involves taking long rides to neighboring towns and tourist areas, and this means taking some sort of transportation. This is a great time for you to be working because these rides are usually pretty lengthy and there isn’t much else to do. However, you have to consider whether or not you get carsick and can actually work in a moving vehicle. Many people are able to get away with not working while literally on the go, but it’s the most convenient if you’re ready and willing to make it happen.

  2. Make sure that you’re prepared to miss out on certain activities.

    Part of traveling is the excitement of doing everything and seeing everything (especially if you’re with friends or family). It can be difficult to watch everyone travel down to the beach or check out that famous restaurant on the rooftop and just sit there and work. However, you have to realize that it won’t be possible for you to see and do everything. You have to make time for work, and this will mean having to say no to certain outings. For many (myself included), this is the hardest part about blogging while traveling and it’s often enough to cause a blog to fail.

  3. Consider the time difference and whether or not it will affect your business.

    You would be surprised at what an affect time difference will have on your blogging. If you’re working for a company, you are going to want to make sure that you’re online at least a little bit during the work hours of your company, and for you this could be right in the middle of dinner. You will also want to consider the different times that your content as well as the content your submitting to others is the most successful. If you’re writing an article late at night and then it goes live, is it really going to do you much good to promote it while the audience of that blog is asleep? You will want to make sure you have lots of scheduling tools in order!

  4. Try to spread out all of your travels.

    Let’s face it—if you’re going to travel while you blog you’re going to do it right. You will likely want to see more than one country, but it’s important that you spread out the times in which you travel. Make sure that you have a home base for at least a few months so you can really crack down and get some work done. It is during the transition periods that work suffers the most.

  5. Make sure that the Internet is readily available whenever you need it.

    This is one thing that can take many by surprise. They assume that they can just use Internet cafes or easily buy a wireless router, but this isn’t always the case. You want to make sure that you have this under control before you leave. In most countries, the best thing you can do is buy an Internet card in the country you’re visiting (bringing one from another will cost you too much money!). However, this isn’t always possible in more remote countries, so you’ll want to make sure you really research and decide if that is a country you can even travel to with a job. And remember—don’t forget your converters!

Have you ever maintained a blog or a blogging job while traveling the world? What were some things that you wish you had known before you got on the plane? Let us know your thoughts and tell us your stories in the comments below!

Author’s Bio:
Amanda DiSilvestro gives small business and entrepreneurs SEO advice ranging from keyword density to recovering from Panda and Penguin updates. She writes for Higher Visibility, a nationally recognized SEO consulting firm that offers online marketing services to a wide range of companies across the country. Connect with Higher Visibility on Google+ and Twitter to learn more!

Beach Notes: A Peaceful Moment

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by Guest Writers Suzie Cheel and Des Walsh

This is one of the 50 sculptures from the annual Swell Sculpture Festival that lines Currumbin Beach for 10 days in September each year.
This sculpture spoke to me. I could see this being somewhere a child or children would be drawn to sit in and look out to the sea and just imagine……..
A Peaceful Moment by Dion Parker

Take a moment to be peaceful.

– Suzie Cheel

Suzie Cheel & Des Walsh

How SMBs Can Steal Customers from Big Brands

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Jason Phillips

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There is a common statement that everything that has an advantage also has a disadvantage. Now this is very true regarding small businesses when compared with big companies or brands. Yes, a small business will most likely not have the kind of marketing budget that a big firm has, but this does not mean it cannot get some of the customers of its bigger competitors. So how can small and medium scale businesses achieve this? Well, by leveraging on their strengths or put in another way by taking advantage of their unique strengths.

How SMBs Can Steal Customers from Big Brands

Here are five simple ways that any small or medium scale business can adopt in order to get more customers and earn more.

1. By connecting with customers

This might be the easiest way yet. You see SMBs can leverage on the size of their current customer base to connect with them on a more personal level. Since customers like to say that they know the person that owns company XYZ. So if you own or mange an SMB let your customers know this, and make them feel like you have a personal relationship with them. This personal connection with clients can go a long way in making such people actively recommend your business or company to others. Who in turn will also do the same with other people? If you can’t meet them one-on-one, then consider connecting via social media, phone calls, emails, etc.

2. By simplifying everything

Ensure that every interaction with your business by customers; prospective or not is made simple. One of the challenges that customers have with big businesses is their bureaucracy. Reduce the processes involved in getting things done for your clients. One area that this should be seen is regarding your website. Users want to be able to navigate this easily. Also, they want products that they can use easily plus services that meet their unique needs. Therefore, making sure that every process, service or product is simple will certainly drive more customers from the big players your way.

3. By offering excellent customer service

Providing excellent customer service is another means that small and medium scale businesses have been using to get customers from bigger competitors. You know it; we all know it that dealing with an SMB will often result in us receiving better customer service. They do this by going the extra mile with their clients. This is why even if you are doing this very well right now; you should look for ways to improve on same.

4. By facing the core problems

Since SMB owners and/or their employees are usually in touch with their clients on a daily basis, this gives them the opportunity to know and solve the core problems these people are facing. The real-time feedback plus knowledge that SMBs have is something that big businesses want to, but cannot replicate. That is why any SMB should take advantage of this by continuously solving their clients’ core problems.

5. By responding more quickly to opportunities

There will always be opportunities in the market. But the problem is whether one will be able to respond to this quickly. For big businesses it is often difficult for them to respond to such opportunities in a timely fashion. But this is not the same with small or medium sized companies that can feel the market and take advantage of the situation more quickly based what customers are saying. Such opportunity may be regarding a product offering or working with another in the same industry to form a strategic alliance.

Small business has the ability to leverage these 5 abilities as advantages by the very fact that small business is small.

Author’s Bio:
Jason Phillips is an expert writer on business related topics. He takes very less time to convey the message he intends to. Click here to go through his write ups to get the right tips ahead