Online Tools for Small Businesses

April 23, 2009

Many large businesses, including banks, cable providers and airlines, require their callers to select from several touch-tone menus in order to match them up with the appropriate customer service representatives. This time-consuming process often produces a lot of anger and frustration.

Luckily, the creators of Fonolo.com have made it possible for callers to skip the tedious navigation process completely! Fonolo users can simply go to Fonolo.com and indicate the business name and department they wish to contact. In a matter of second, they’ll receive a phone call connecting them to the desired customer service representative. The Fonolo team does all the work for them – for free!

To learn more about Fonolo.com and all of Inc.com’s “12 Cool Web Tools for Small Businesses,” go to: http://www.inc.com/ss/12-cool-web-tools-small-business?nav=mostpopular#4

1 Comment | Community, General, Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business, marketing | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by mysolutionspot

Synergy in the Local Business Community = Sales

April 20, 2009

Synergy – it’s a term we’ve all heard before. Synergy is not just applicable to large corporations. Small businesses can synergize by collaborating with other small businesses. For instance, a local restaurant can cook with vegetables and fruits from local farms, serve beverages from local breweries, and feature desserts from local bakeries. In return, these farms, breweries and bakeries can mention the restaurant in all of their ads. A local market can also achieve similar collaborations. By advertising their partnerships, participating businesses can positively influence consumer perception and attract consumers who support the buy-local movement.

1 Comment | Community, General, Go Local, Small Business | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by thinklocal

Does Your Age Group Impact Your Ability to Run a Business?

April 15, 2009

According to the Small Business Success Index,* “if you are between 35 and 54, you are likely to experience the greatest challenges running a highly competitive business.” I was rather surprised to read this finding since I’ve always thought this age group was comprised of experienced professionals who were well-versed in the latest trends.

Why do you think running a highly competitive business is so difficult for this age group? Is it personal? If you are between the age of 35 and 54, I’d love to hear your take.

*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.

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Posted by thinklocal

Do You Have a Shop Local Campaign Yet?

March 31, 2009

As I’ve previously mentioned in this blog, the majority of U.S. businesses are small businesses, and many of these small businesses greatly rely on local patrons. Therefore, numerous small businesses have started their own shop local campaigns.

If you are not already part of a community-wide shop local campaign, you should join one, and if there isn’t one in your community, you should start your own. A shop local campaign will remind local consumers why it is beneficial for them to buy from locally owned businesses. It will produce loyal customers who will consistently support your business and encourage others to do the same.

I found the links below while reading “New ideas for your shop local campaign,” an article by Becky McCray. These resources will help you create a strong and well-positioned shop local campaign.

2 Comments | Community, General, Go Local, Small Business, marketing | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by thinklocal

Small Business Owners Should Help Other Small Business Owners

January 5, 2009

As a small business owner, you want people to come to your business – consumers who are seeking your products and services. You also want to be able to compete with larger businesses that can offer more and charge less. Well, you aren’t alone.

The majority of U.S. businesses are small businesses. Most of these businesses possess similar weaknesses and experience the same threats and obstacles. Despite their likenesses, many small business owners neglect to do their part to help other small business owners.

Every business owner is also a consumer, and like all consumers, business owners have the power to choose who they support. Therefore, the next time you need a product or service, consider doing business with a small business owner in your area. Then encourage him or her to do the same. Every little bit counts.

Online business directories like ThinkLocal® or YellowPages.com™ make it easy to find a variety of local businesses. Online business directories are quick, convenient and free to use!

1 Comment | General, Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by thinklocal

Cut Business Costs by Taking Advantage of Free Services

December 8, 2008

The recent labeling of the U.S. economy as “in a recession” has brought a new wave of panic over most Americans, especially business owners; unfortunately, many of us have legitimate reasons to worry. Each new day seems to bring word of another business closing its doors, or news that yet another company has been forced to let go of employees in an effort to cut costs. Although it is easy to get discouraged during times like these, we all have to try to focus on the actions we can take to improve our situations instead of dwelling on the worst-case scenario.

All business owners know that to stay afloat during an economic downturn, they must focus on reducing their costs. Many choose to reduce the budget allotted for advertising and marketing efforts, but this can be very detrimental to building and expanding their customer base. And when you don’t have customers, you don’t have revenue. So what’s a small business owner to do?

In addition to online business listings Web sites like ThinkLocal®, there are more free resources that business owners can turn to reach out to their customers and build a strong Web presence for their company. One of these resources is blogging. Blogs are an easy and effective way to build Web presence and keep your customers aware of what’s going on with your business. Instead of spending money on advertisements that show off your new product or inform your customers of your business’s new services, just blog about it. Blog posts allow you to go into as much detail as you’d like, you can load them with keywords that will help them show up in search engine results, and best of all, there are many blogs that are 100% free. Web sites like WordPress®, BloggerTM, and LiveJournalTM are just some of your free-blog options.

Once you’ve got your blog set up, check out some of the micro-blogging Web sites that are available. Sites like TwitterTM and Plurk allow you to give quick updates on what’s going on with your business, and they’re a great way to spread links to your blog posts. Twitter and Plurk also allow you to associate a personality with your business’s web presence; this alone can give you an advantage over your competition since consumers tend to choose companies that they know or feel comfortable with.

Be sure to also check out free social networks, including Facebook®, MySpaceTM, MySolutionSpotTM, and LinkedIn®. Social networking is a great way to connect with other business owners, current customers, and potential customers. Through social networks, you can get feedback on what your customers are looking for, build relationships with them, compare business strategies with other small business owners, and so much more.

1 Comment | Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business, Social Media | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by thinklocal

Internet Advice for Local Florists & Similar Businesses

September 2, 2008

Looking for a good read? The following article offers a variety of tips for small businesses wishing to build Web presence and gain online visibility: http://www.goodroi.com/2008/01/31/why-my-local-florist-frustrates-me/

Leave a Comment » | Local Search, Small Business | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by thinklocal