Posts filed under 'General'
MySolutionSpot™ Has a New Look
Like the changes we’ve made to the MySolutionSpot™ blog? Our new appearance reflects the changes that have recently been made to MySolutionSpot and the Network Solutions® storefront. We’ve changed our colors, updated our images, and cleaned up the layout of both websites. Head over to NetworkSolutions.com and MySolutionSpot.com, take a look at the changes we’ve made, and then let us know what you think!
MySolutionSpot is dedicated to providing small business owners with the tools they need to succeed; therefore, we want our community to be one that is enjoyable, resourceful, and easy to use. If you have any suggestions on how we can make our site even better, please send an email to support@mysolutionspot.com. We’d love to hear from you!
Add comment August 5, 2009
A Few Tips for Creating Better Web Site Content
While reading this article today, I started thinking about some of the SMB Web sites I’ve seen in the past. There are many things that separate the good from the bad, but as a copywriter, the first thing I tend to notice is content. Here are a few tips on writing successful content for your business’s Web site:
*Keep home page content short. The main reason customers come to your site is to find information on your business and/or purchase your products. The easier it is for your visitors to do this, the better. If the first thing your site’s visitors face is lengthy content, they might be deterred from looking any farther.
*Get to the point. Right away your site’s visitors should be able to learn the name of your business, what it offers, and your business’s contact information. It is also a good idea to include this information in an area of your site that will be visible from each page.
*Utilize key words. Search engines aren’t the only entities affected by key words—your visitors notice them as well. Using keywords will help your page’s rank in search results, and keywords also grab the attention of potential customers. Take advantage of the opportunity to include them where you can. If customers see mention of products that they’re interested in right away, like in your home page content, there’s a good chance they’ll check out the rest of your Web site as well.
*Answer the important questions. Your Web site can be your best salesperson if you just give it the right stuff. Try to provide answer for questions like the following: Why should customers choose your business over the competition? Why are your products and services better than those offered by your competitors? Why should customers trust you? Are your customers going to receive the best value for their money? What kind of customer service can be expected from your business?
Your site’s content can either draw customers in or send them away, all within a few lines of text. Next time you update your Web site, keep your customers in mind. Focus on content that is short, to the point, persuasive, and rich in keywords. Your business will reap the benefits.
Add comment May 13, 2009
Social Networking Can Help You Find Jobs & Employees
MSNBC.com recently posted an article that further proves the value of social networking. Rusty Weston explains in his article that social networks have become a resource for both job seekers and recruiters. Through groups that share a common denominator—for example, a group that is comprised of past employees from a particular company—members of social networks can work together to share their connections and set themselves up for possible job recruitment. LinkedIn® seems to be the best place for this type of activity since its focus is on professional social networking over, well, merely-social social networking. Social networks aren’t just for those seeking jobs; headhunters and job recruiters are increasingly using social networks to find prospective employees.
If you’re a member of a social network like LinkedIn or MySolutionSpot™, take the time to associate yourself with a group that is relevant to your current position or your past areer experiences. Looking for a job? Optimizing your social networking profile and joining a group that pertains to your work skills is one of the best ways to get noticed. For busines owners and recruiters who are looking for employees, browsing through groups relevant to your industry can provide you with candidates that have the experience you’re looking for.
To view Weston’s article, please visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30481596//.
Add comment May 5, 2009
Give Your Blog a Sneeze Page
If you have a blog, whether for your business of for personal use, you know that writing your posts takes some time and effort. You want to keep your blog up-to-date, yet you also want your reader to see your past entries since they contain valuable information. And hey—you worked hard on them, so you want them to be read! But how do you get your reader to check out past blogs instead of the most recent ones?
That’s what a sneeze page is for. By categorizing your past posts into relevant themes, you can create a list of archived blog posts that your readers will want to check out. Your readers will see a category they’re interested in, click on that link, and then be sent to the past blog posts that relate to that subject. Sneeze pages are also good for search engine optimization since the links that you include on your sneeze page will be included during the search-engine ranking process.
Darren Rowse, creator of the sneeze-page concept, recently posted an article on the subject at ProBlogger.net. I highly recommend this article; not only will you learn more about how sneeze pages work, but the article also contains priceless tips for putting together your blog’s very own sneeze page. Visit http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/04/23/create-a-sneeze-page-for-your-blog/ and get your sneeze page started!
Add comment April 23, 2009
Have a Nominee for the WebAward?
From time to time, we all come across a Web site that makes us go, “Hmmm.” Next time you see an impressive Web site, why not nominate it for the 2009 WebAward. The deadline for submissions is May 29, 2009.
To nominated a site, please go to: http://www.webaward.org/guidelines.asp
Add comment April 22, 2009
Free Small Business Planner
The U.S. Small Business Administration is an extremely valuable resource for entrepreneurs. It provides several services and tools to help small business owners achieve success.
One extremely beneficial tool provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration is the Small Business Planner. This planner provides a variety of information to guide small business owners through every phase of the business lifecycle. To access the Small Business Planner, click here.
Add comment April 21, 2009
Write to Improve Sales
The written word is a powerful marketing tool. In the following article, entitled Write to Generate Sales, author Becky McCray describes how you can write to effectively improve rapport with your customers and boost your sales: http://www.smallbizsurvival.com/2009/04/write-to-generate-sales.html
1 comment April 20, 2009
Professional Development Can Help Your Business Succeed
“Small business owners have challenges in growing business revenues. Half report moderate or no success in doing this.” – The Small Business Success Index* (SBSI)
The statement above is quite frightening; however, many entrepreneurs neglect to take heed of its warning. Rather, they go on to use their limited capital on unnecessary investments, thinking they’ll reap the rewards in upcoming years. In many cases, their rate of return is much lower than anticipated, and instead of basking in their newfound wealth, they struggle to make ends meet. The SBSI explains, “The ability to overcome challenges around capital and marketing can have a major impact on small business success.”
In the effort to control cost and achieve business success, “a plurality of business owners expect to hold spend steady through 2009; [however] 23% plan to increase this in the area of professional development.” So why is professional development such a worthwhile investment? The answer is simple. A well-educated workplace makes well-educated decisions.
Free Professional Development Opportunities
If you wish to engage in professional development but do not have the funds to do so, you’re in luck. Many consulting agencies and professional organizations now offer complimentary Webinars almost on a daily basis. You may also access sites like MySolutionSpot.com and SolutionsArePower.com, both of which offer relevant and industry-specific information for free. The more you educate yourself, the more likely you will be able to overcome your challenges.
*The Small Business Success Index, an ongoing measurement of the overall health of U.S. small businesses, was commissioned by Network Solutions, LLC and the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. To take the survey yourself, click here.
Add comment April 15, 2009
Managing Your Social Media Presence
Social media participation is only beneficial if you (yup, you’ve guessed it!) participate. The following article explains how you can effectively monitor your social media accounts in just ten minutes a day:
Add comment April 14, 2009
