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A Small Business Blog and Small Business Tips Related to Growing, Marketing and Managing a Small Business.Small business blog for small business owners, includes resources for businesses, small business grants, business plans, business letters, daily business tips, online marketing advice and information. Learn ideas for your small business. |
| 8/10/2005 9:00 AM |
| Google Snubs Tech News Outlet CNET |
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Google Inc. is refusing to speak with reporters at CNET's online news site after it ran a story that used Google's chief executive to illustrate how easily the company's search engine finds personal information. Google told News.com, the online tech news service of CNET Networks Inc., last week that it would not speak to any of its reporters for a year, according to News.com's editor. Google was angered by a story last month that focused on potential threats the search engine leader's product poses to personal privacy, said Jai Singh, the News.com editor-in-chief. |
| 8/5/2005 9:00 AM |
| Yahoo Launches Self-Service Tools For Publishing Ads |
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Yahoo Inc. on Wednesday launched in beta a service that enables small and medium-sized web sites to publish text-based ads and share in the revenue from Yahoo advertisers. The service, which is only available during the testing phase by invitation, is meant to broaden the reach Yahoo can provide to its advertisers, Willan Johnson, general manager of Yahoo Publisher Network, said. "What (advertisers) are interested in is getting leads to their web sites and generating sales," Johnson said. "This is a way of getting advertisers more leads by extending our distribution to small and medium-sized publishers." |
| 8/4/2005 9:00 AM |
| Increase Productivity! With ClipBoard Extender |
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Increase your business productivity. ClipMate enhances the Windows clipboard, making it a true power tool. The cut/copy paste capability of Windows works well for transferring single items of data, but is not useful if you want to move a lot of data or keep data longer than until your next cut or copy. ClipMate works alongside the regular Windows clipboard and remembers every piece of data (both text and graphics) that you cut or copy. Once your data is in ClipMate, you can select an item and it is automatically placed back on the clipboard or directly into the application you were using. You can view, print, edit, reformat, convert to upper/lower case, search, rename, and reorder clip items. There is even a built-in spellchecker. You can create an unlimited number of collections to store your data, and you have full control over the retention rules so that your collections will fit your own work process. Download ClipMate to increase your business productivity. |
| 8/3/2005 6:49 PM |
| Yahoo Beta Sign-up |
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Yahoo is extending the reach of its Publisher Network with the launch of a contextual-advertising service for small-scale Web publishers who now will have access to Yahoo's advertising products throuch a single interface. Initially offered as a beta product, the platform will let webmasters sign up online for the Publisher Network services that hitherto have been provided only to larger enterprises. Yahoo Publisher Beta |
| 8/3/2005 9:00 AM |
| The Popular SearchEngineWatch sold for 43 Million |
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Jupiter sold SearchEngineWatch shows and forums for 43 million! The plan is to grow the Search Conference series on an international level.
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| 8/3/2005 9:00 AM |
| ASK's Paid Listings Program Goes Live 15th August |
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ASK's new paid listings program launches on the 15th of this month at sponsoredlistings.ask.com see Danny Sullivan's Search Engine Watch for the complete details. |
| 8/2/2005 9:00 AM |
| Marketing Efforts to Consider |
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In order to create consistent sales cycles and a positive growth trend businesses usually engage in both short and long term marketing efforts. Short-term marketing efforts tend to cause sudden sales spikes which rarely last. These sharp sales increases are usually the result of a targeted marketing campaign or time limited offer. While short-term marketing produces sales, long-term marketing efforts must be mixed in to sustain sales. More on Short Term vs Long Term Marketing |
| 8/1/2005 9:00 AM |
| Rumors About Google Banning Directories |
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There were some rumors in the Webmaster World Forum that Google is changing the way it looks at directories like Web Search Engines . It appears Google may be penalizing the mini-directories. While they are attempting to stop search engine spamming I think they are clearly missing the boat in seeing the value of these niche portals. These sites make it very easy to find topic specific information in a single location and while they may all be rooted at DMOZ, they are significantly easier to navigate. Take a look at Monitoring Tools or Investing Partners to get a better idea how these sites are useful to members of their industry or consumers. |
| 7/30/2005 9:23 AM |
| Map Comparison |
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This site has a cool geocoding map comparison of Virtual Earth and Google Maps. Simply enter the address and compare the views. Centralized zooming allows you control over both maps. Map Comparison |
| 7/29/2005 7:33 AM |
| Tell The World About Your Blog |
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Well, you've joined the others and have created a blog. It is time to tell the world about your online journal. Most blog services generate an RSS feed. If your blogging software does not create an RSS feed, consider using software like FeedForAll to create an RSS feed. Like blogs, RSS is growing in popularity and is a great way to spread the word about a new blog. Tell The World About Your Blog |
| 7/28/2005 9:00 AM |
| Forbes Announces Best of Web |
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Forbes.com has announced their blog picks in various categories. This summer Forbes has trained their sights on the rapidly growing world of blogs, also known as the "blogosphere". They identify the best blogs in categories ranging from Art and Literary Blogs, to Small Business, Marketing, Shopping and Music Blogs. Best of Web According to Forbes |
| 7/26/2005 9:00 AM |
| Google Scholar Is Launched |
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Google has launched a beta version of Google Scholar What is Google Scholar? Google Scholar enables you to search specifically for scholarly literature, including peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, preprints, abstracts and technical reports from all broad areas of research. Use Google Scholar to find articles from a wide variety of academic publishers, professional societies, preprint repositories and universities, as well as scholarly articles available across the web. How does Google Scholar work? Just as with Google Web Search, Google Scholar orders your search results by how relevant they are to your query, so the most useful references should appear at the top of the page. This relevance ranking takes into account the full text of each article as well as the article’s author, the publication in which the article appeared and how often it has been cited in scholarly literature. Google Scholar also automatically analyzes and extracts citations and presents them as separate results, even if the documents they refer to are not online. This means your search results may include citations of older works and seminal articles that appear only in books or other off line publications. More on Google Scholar |
| 7/25/2005 9:00 AM |
| Robin Good is Great! |
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Robin Good had a really great article for entrepreneurs interested in achieving success. The article essentially summarizes a series of articles that he has written and shows the opportunities available for a motivated individual. Its a really great read. Hats off to you Robin! |
| 7/22/2005 9:00 AM |
| Comprehensive Article How *Not* To Write A Business Plan |
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PlanWare Business Plan Tip: How NOT to Write a Business Plan Here are some suggestions to follow if you want to write a truly dreadful business plan, or to avoid if you wish to write a sound business plan: - Don't include a contents list, don't number any pages and don't follow any consistent approach for section heading etc. - Do write the plan's summary before you write the plan, or, better still, don't include any summary. - Do start the plan with a series of tables showing your projections - the more detail and tables the better. - Don't summarize the projections - let the reader figure out the full year totals and so on. - If you include projected balance sheets, make sure that they don't balance. - Don't produce any separate cash flow forecasts, just rename the P&L or income projections. Planware's "Don't Plan" |
| 7/20/2005 9:00 AM |
| Difficult to Believe - Cyber Crime On The Decline |
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A downward turn in overall cyber crime has hit its fourth year, said the 10th-annual survey on computer crime released Thursday, and average financial losses have tumbled by more than half. The yearly survey, which is conducted by the Computer Security Institute (CSI) in coordination with the FBI, found that the average dollar amount pegged to a security breach fell by a whopping 61 percent compared to 2004, when the loss per polled company or government agency was estimated at $526,000. In 2005, the amount per respondent was only $203,000. Complete Article |
| 7/19/2005 9:00 AM |
| Zazzle Set to Give Cafe Press Run |
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Zazzle.com a site for personalizing gifts or creating small run personalized promotional items, Zazzle is poised to give Cafe Press a run for its money. The sites appear very similar while Zazzle has negotiated an interesting relationships with Disney that could push them ahead of the well entrenched Cafe Press. Of course the money from Google's backers won't hurt their marketing either ;-) |
| 7/19/2005 9:00 AM |
| Steady As She Goes For Small Business IT Spending |
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Small businesses remain optimistic about the near-term outlook for the economy, and this is translating into solid expectations for IT spending over the next few months. Small-business owners’ expectations for the economy bumped up in May compared with April, according to the Small Business Optimism Index. Expectations are slightly lower than they were a year ago, but on average, small-business owners expect GDP growth over the next year to be in the 3.5 percent range, about where it is now and above the long-term trend growth rate of 3.0 percent. The Small Business Optimism Index is published monthly by the National Federation of Independent Business, a 600,000-member small-business advocacy group based in Washington. |
| 7/18/2005 9:00 AM |
| Google's Growth Prompts Privacy Concerns |
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Google is at once a powerful search engine and a growing e-mail provider. It runs a blogging service, makes software to speed Web traffic and has ambitions to become a digital library. And it is developing a payments service. Although many Internet users eagerly await each new technology from Google Inc., its rapid expansion is also prompting concerns that the company may know too much: what you read, where you surf and travel, whom you write. Complete Article |
| 7/14/2005 9:00 AM |
| Small Business Blogging Coming Into Its Own |
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Blogging is growing so fast it's hard to get a handle on the numbers. Recently, BusinessWeek estimated that there were nearly 9 million blogs out there, a number that is growing at the rate of a whopping 40,000 per day. Of course, the majority of these are personal, not business-related, but blogging is beginning to catch on in businesses large and small as well. A survey of small business owners by HP earlier this year found that 10 percent have included blogs as part of their marketing plans, with an additional 16 percent planning to invest in blogs over the next three years. Those are interesting stats. Complete Article |
| 7/13/2005 9:00 AM |
| Search Ad Costs Continue To Soar, Up 25% Since September |
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Online search terms across a broad array of categories rose an average of 3 percent last month to $1.72--from $1.67 in May, according to the Fathom Online Keyword Price Index. Overall, keyword prices were up approximately 25 percent since last September, when Fathom began publishing the index, which tracks average cost-per-click rates in eight categories--cars, consumer retail, consumer services, travel/hospitality, investing, mortgages, broadband, and wireless. Keywords related to wireless services jumped by 19 percent to $1.19--the highest rate for such terms since the index started.
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| 7/12/2005 8:58 AM |
| Copyright Infringement |
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Dealing With Copyright or Trademark Violations: Who, What and Where Before reacting, it is important to do homework and research the alleged content violator. Arm yourself with information. Determining the who, what and where will guide you in taking the appropriate steps. Copyright Infringements |
| 7/12/2005 11:00 AM |
| States Pushing For Web Sales-Tax Collection |
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Momentum is building for level sales taxes on Internet retail purchases, as 18 states prepare to nudge online retailers to collect taxes on items purchased over the Web. In the wake of a meeting of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project (SSTP) in Chicago last week, tax representatives from states participating in the effort have been encouraging retailers to collect sales taxes. :-(((( |
| 7/11/2005 9:00 AM |
| Competition is Good, Copying is Bad |
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I've always been of the opinion that competition is a good thing. It encourages all of us to be better and make better products. While it might be true that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, copying someone else's work is simply wrong. Copyright Infringements Article |
| 7/11/2005 8:10 AM |
| Google Wins Typo Dispute |
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An Internet arbitrator has awarded Google Inc. the rights to several Web site addresses that relied on typographical errors to exploit the online search engine's popularity so computer viruses and other malicious software could be unleashed on unsuspecting visitors. Complete Article |
| 7/7/2005 10:06 AM |
| Interesting Article - Why NOT to Implement Voice Over IP |
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Why not to implement VOIP Think VoIP is for everybody? Think again. There are plenty of reasons why VoIP might not be right for your network -- yet. Here are five reasons to wait or hold off completely. Complete Article |
| 7/6/2005 9:00 AM |
| Being Watched |
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Really, really interesting article by InternetWeek about how technology and privacy are on a collision course. Lots of readers had opinions on Microsoft and Google licensing satellite pictures of Earth and using them as part of their local-search services. Both currently provide pictures that show buildings and streets, but no ground-level detail. However, Orbimage, which is supplying pictures to Microsoft, says it plans to offer high-resolution pictures in 2007 that would let you count the manholes in Manhattan. With that kind of detail, and the expectation that many other Internet companies would start using satellite-generated pictures, the idea of having all those cameras pointed at us made me feel uneasy. Some readers agreed, while others didn't think it was a big deal. A few, however, were even more paranoid. Complete Article - Being Watched |
| 7/5/2005 9:00 AM |
| Google Indexing Subscription Content |
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Google is testing a premium service that will open up mainstream access to the "Deep Web," allowing webmasters with restricted or subscription content to let in Google and provide the masses with free previews. The service is being tested server-side with a small number of sites that are under strict confidentiality agreements. Premium content will be indexed and tagged as paid, and will be displayed in a special content area on the right side of Google's search results underneath the AdSense advertising links. Some paid articles are "first click free" and will appear within Google's "natural" aggregated search results - if the participating publication decides that the content should be accessible when Google is the referrer. Complete Article |
| 7/4/2005 9:00 AM |
| Pay-Per-Click Definitions Article |
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Pay-Per-Click marketing has become an online phenomenon, with marketers only paying for traffic they receive. As Internet marketing has evolved, pay-per-click is seen by many as the middle ground between paying per impression and paying per sale. Advertisers only pay when they receive traffic that may or may not be targeted. Pay Per Click Definitions Complete Article |
| 6/28/2005 9:00 AM |
| Reinclusion Tips for Yahoo and Google |
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Search Engine Watch posted some valuable advice on being reincluded in the search engines. Yahoo Reinclusion Discussion and Getting Back in Google's Good Graces |
| 6/27/2005 9:50 AM |
| When Something is Free Online |
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Realistically, consumers subconsiously assume free means free, and while that might be the initial intent rarely is it the case. more on When Something is Free Online |
| 6/22/2005 9:00 AM |
| More on Keywords |
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Keywords are the heart to effective Internet searches. Whether optimizing a web site or searching for a hard-to-find item, consider tapping resources to locate a variety of keywords. Identify keywords and phrases that are relevant to the products, services, or information you are promoting or searching for. More on Keywords |
| 6/20/2005 9:00 AM |
| AdWords Site Targeting Out of Beta |
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Presenting significant enhancements to the Google AdWords program Our advertisers have asked for the option to target specific sites in our content network, and to reach prospects with compelling ad formats at different points in the purchasing cycle. Users have told us they are tired of seeing the same banner ads every time they visit their favorite sites. We listened—and now we'd like to announce that Site Targeting is available. See New Google AdWords |
| 6/20/2005 9:00 AM |
| Google plans pay service to rival PayPal -WSJ |
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Usually consumers benefit from competition! Google Inc. this year plans to offer an electronic-payment service that could help the Internet-search company diversify its revenue and may heighten competition with eBay Inc.'s PayPal unit, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. Exact details of the search company's planned service are not known, the report said, but quoted people familiar with the matter as saying it could have similarities with PayPal, which allows consumers to pay for purchases on Web sites by funding electronic-payment accounts from their credit cards or checking accounts. |
| 6/16/2005 9:00 AM |
| Google AdSense Alternatives |
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There is a fantastic material about alternatives to serving Google AdSense ads for content sensitive advertisements. Looks like some of them might be worth experimenting with. - Google AdSense Alternatives |
| 6/15/2005 9:00 AM |
| Google's Calculator |
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I don't know how I realized this but if you enter a mathematical equation into the search box on Google, Google solves the equation. Much to my children's disappointment it does not appear to handle variables, looks like they have to figure out Algebra themselves. ;-)
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| 6/14/2005 9:00 AM |
| LinkedIn and SimplyHired Partner |
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SimplyHired, a Palo Alto (CA) based employment search engine that aggregates millions of available jobs and offers a sophisticated and powerful search engine to let you explore your future opportunities and LinkedIn, a premier business networking site have partnered. Users can find over four million jobs now on LinkedIn. With each job, you can see how you are connected to the company. |
| 6/14/2005 9:00 AM |
| GahooYoogle |
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Dave Collins from Shareware Promotions found this little jem! GahooYoogle, parallel searches so that results can be compared. |
| 6/13/2005 9:00 AM |
| Skype in merger talks with Yahoo? |
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Engadget is reporting that an aquisition might be in Skype's future. Skype and Yahoo are in "close contact," as in, snuggly enough to talk about a possible buyout. It makes sense from the standpoint that Yahoo already wants to add voice to their Yahoo! Messenger platform, and Skype would be an attractive acquisition in terms of merging IM with VoIP. The concern, though, is that it would complicate Yahoo's relationship with the Baby Bells as it tries to build its media empire status. In any case, though, it does look like both parties are interested in cooking up some sort of commercial partnership. Ain't courtship grand? Complete Article |
| 6/9/2005 9:00 AM |
| Improve Your Website |
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The Webby Award Winners have just been announced. Why not take a few minutes and have a look see? Find out what the winners in your market are doing, take a look at their navigation, design or use of technology and figure out what you can do better. |
| 6/6/2005 9:00 AM |
| Google SiteMaps |
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Google Inc. has launched a service to help webmasters get better coverage by the search giant. Google Sitemaps was released late Thursday in beta. The service lets webmasters contribute to better crawl coverage by providing Google, based in Mountain View, Calif., with specific information about their web pages, such as when a page was last modified or how frequently a page changes. Complete Article |
| 6/3/2005 9:00 AM |
| Localized Keywords for AdSense or Site Optomization |
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Like most small businesses you may want to target local customers and businesses with your products or services. The 5 Minute Site has released a tool that allows for geo-targeting or in simple terms helps find keywords related to a specific region. |
| 5/31/2005 9:00 AM |
| Small Business Guide for Dummies |
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You're not alone if the thought of running your own business has crossed your mind. Even if your vision of a small business differs from your neighbor's, you probably dream of being your own boss and of providing a needed service or creating a cool new product. But your very first small-business decision may be to admit that you're not ready for this career - at least not yet. If you're straddling the fence, Small Business For Dummies will uncover whether this career works for you. You'll also gain insight into getting your personal finances in order before exposing yourself to the risk of a new business, and discover how to draw a roadmap to reach your career destination. This easy-to-understand guide is also for those who want to Write a gang-buster business plan Create the right legal framework for your business Locate financing that suits your needs Develop and market your product Hire the right employees for the right jobs Build your business You’ll also gain understanding of the tactical side of running a small business, from pricing, budgeting, business expansion, and complying with government regulations.  more on Small Business for Dummies |
| 5/30/2005 9:00 AM |
| What is Wiki |
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Wikis generally allow web pages to be written, edited and created collectively in a web browser. Wiki supports hyperlinks and simple text. Most Wikis are open, and allow any user the ability to edit the contents of a Wiki web page. While some say this opens the concept to abuse, Wiki moderators and self-policing in the Wiki sector appear to be taking hold. Wiki supporters generally feel that it is generally easier to correct mistakes than create the content from scratch. Wikipedia is a standing symbol of what many would consider a succesful Wiki. Complete Article - What is Wiki |
| 5/30/2005 9:00 AM |
| Regional Statistical Information for Targeting |
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For small businesses interested in targeting specific regions this resource may prove invaluable: NationMaster.com, a massive central data source and a handy way to graphically compare nations. NationMaster is a vast compilation of data from such sources as the CIA World Factbook, United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank, World Resources Institute, UNESCO, UNICEF and OECD. Using the form above, you can generate maps and graphs on all kinds of statistics with ease. |
| 5/25/2005 9:00 AM |
| Small Business Wiki |
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The Small Business Wiki is a community project of smallbusiness.com The Small Business Wiki is a wiki-model encyclopedia of community-generated knowledge regarding all aspects of starting and running a business. This is knowledge from the grassroots and they invite participation. |
| 5/24/2005 9:00 AM |
| Nominate! The 2005 ClickZ Marketing Excellence Awards |
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At ClickZ, it's about the marketing: reaching the right audience, delivering the right message, and achieving desired results. But interactive marketers, more than their traditional peers, can often attribute their successes and failings to technology. Whether you're involved in media planning, Web site analytics, e-mail marketing, or search engine marketing (SEM) management, technology helps you to do your job better and more efficiently. That's why we ask for your input as we evaluate marketing tools -- along with campaigns, networks, even blogs -- for the third annual ClickZ Marketing Excellence Awards. Nominate Companies |
| 5/23/2005 9:00 AM |
| Small Business Security |
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There is an excellent article about small business security on the small business pipeline that all businesses should read: By the time small businesses start worrying about security, it's too late. We ignore risk until threatened by an attack or natural disaster. If we're lucky, the threat passes us by, and we fall back into denial. If we're unlucky, disaster hits, and it puts us out of business. Denial about security is self-defeating because the cost of loss is devastating. That's especially true of small businesses, where profit margins are often razor-thin. I've had personal experience working in, and near, companies that learned those lessons the hard way. The lucky companies only lost information of financial value. In one instance, a security breach resulted in seven dead. Read small business security |
| 5/16/2005 9:00 AM |
| Developing Content Sites Article |
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Highly targeted, focused sites that are related to specific market segments are highly advantageous and can often be created using existing web content. The key is to provide value. Think of the time spent surfing the web gathering resources and information. By creating a topic-centric resource compiling information, webmasters are providing a service or value. In many cases that value is simply the compilation of topic-specific information in a single resource. The compilation of this information in itself is the value. Developing Content Sites |
| 5/16/2005 9:00 AM |
| 12 Regional Business-to-Business Marketing Awards |
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Marketing Sherpa points out 12 regional business marketing awards. Details on 12 regional US BMA marketing awards, including entry deadlines, fees, categories, and a local contact for you if you have questions. If you're a business-to-business marketer, adding a Business Marketing Association to your resume looks mighty fine. We've contacted the BMA divisions throughout the US to find out which host awards and get entry details for you. Complete Article - 12 Business Awards |
| 5/12/2005 9:00 AM |
| Very Funny - Google Content Blocker Spoof |
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What is Google Content Blocker? Google's mission is to organize the world's advertising for maximum exposure to Web users. Unfortunately, annoying Web content often overwhelms the page, causing many users to become distracted and overlook the ads. That's where Google Content Blocker comes in. It effectively blocks all Web site content, leaving only the advertisements. How does Google Content Blocker work? After you install Google Content Block, just surf the Web as you normally do. When we find a site that has content, we will block that content so you see only the ads. It all happens automatically, with no effort on your part. See Google Content Blocker |
| 5/11/2005 9:00 AM |
| Press Release Spider |
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New free resource to distribute press releases. Press Release Spider is described as a Press Release Search Engine with thousands of press releases. Companies are encouraged to submit their press releases for free. |
| 5/9/2005 9:00 AM |
| Google AdSense Progression |
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The web has evolved into a complex "organism" which, to some, appears to have a life of its own. As the Internet has evolved, so too have online marketers and publishers. The dot-com balloon is said to have burst but savvy publishers have grabbed the coat tails of the Google search monster and employ Google AdSense on content-rich websites. Google AdSense, a pioneer for providing content-sensitive advertisements, has been a boon to webmasters looking for alternatives to amortize their web trafffic. Google AdSense Progression |
| 5/5/2005 9:00 AM |
| People's Choice Software Awards! |
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The voting for the SIAF People's Choice Awards has begun. You may encourage your users and website visitors to vote for your applications. Graphics to use on your web page can be found here: http://www.sic.org/peopleschoiceimages.asp and the link to associate with it is: http://www.siafvoiting.com/pca/?ID-SIAF Voting will end at 12 Noon MDT on Tuesday May 31st. Winners will be announced at the Shareware Industry Awards Banquet. |
| 5/5/2005 9:00 AM |
| Annual WebAward |
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The Web Marketing Association is pleased to announce the international call for entries for its 9th annual WebAward Competition. It's time to be recognized for your outstanding Web development work by winning a 2005 WebAward. Beside the respect, recognition and admiration of your peers, WebAward winners create a marketing opportunity for the site that is recognized and the firm that created it. Over 90 Industry Categories will be Judged Including: Advertising, B2B, Design, Entertainment, Marketing, Media, Small Business and Much More. A complete list of past winners and the entry form for companies who wish to compete for 2005 honors can be found at www.webaward.org. Judging for the WebAwards will take place in July and August, and winners will be announced in September 2005. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet professionals. The fee for each entry in the WebAward Competition is $175, except for sites entered in the non-profit category, which has been reduced to $75. Entry fees are used to minimize the entry of low quality web sites and help cover the costs of the competition. |
| 5/4/2005 9:00 AM |
| Compare Google and Yahoo for Keyword Phrases |
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Shareware Promotions recently posted a link to langreiter.com which compares keyword listings on Google to those on Yahoo. Creating a grid of how sites rank. The domain is visible by mousing over the dots that are connected by the lines. Surprisingly most sites I've found are # 1 in both engines, while the rest of the links tend to criss-cross. Give it a try by typing a phrase in the "compare'em" box. |
| 5/3/2005 9:00 AM |
| American Small Business League’s Advocacy Leads to Changes in Federal Small Business Contracting Procedures |
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The American Small Business League welcomed a recent set of changes in Federal small business contracting procedures as long overdue, but warned that significant problems remain. The ASBL – the only national organization defending the interests of small businesses in the Federal government’s $60-plus billion small business contracting program – has advocated for these and other changes since 2002. The Small Business Act of 1953 directs that at least 23 percent of federal government prime contracts go to small business. But a host of abuses and loopholes allow large companies to get many of these contracts. The Defense Department alone awarded more than $47 billion in “small business” contracts to huge corporations between 1998 and 2003, according to a 2004 report by the Center for Public Integrity. The new changes attempt to close one of the many loopholes that allow this to happen. On April 22, the Small Business Administration and several Federal agencies announced they have revamped the small business designation process in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. Federal agencies rely on the CCR database to determine whether a contractor qualifies as a small business. |
| 5/2/2005 9:00 AM |
| Seven in 10 have pondered starting their own business |
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The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, according to a new survey of attitudes toward starting a new business. Seventy-two per cent of people surveyed by Yahoo Small Business and Harris Interactive said they have considered starting their own business. And 75 per cent said the growth of the Internet had made it easier to launch one. Moreover, money is not the prime motivating factor for this decision, according to the poll of 2,290 adults in early April. Twenty-eight per cent said they aspired to be an entrepreneur in order to do work they love or to integrate a passionate hobby into a career pursuit. |
| 4/29/2005 9:00 AM |
| Yahoo Contest To Award 10 Million Free Ads To Winning Small Business |
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Yahoo Search Marketing announced its "Think Big" contest, which will award one small business with 10 million free ad impressions on Yahoo. Eight million of the ads will be on Yahoo sponsored search, and 2 million will be banner ads on the Yahoo network. The contest is open to privately held U.S. small businesses with less than 99 employees who have a live website with "meaningful" content that is relevant to their business. Businesses in adult entertainment, gambling or travel-related industries are prohibited from entering. Entrants must submit their business plans to Yahoo, which will be judged on the novelty of the business, the ability of the business Website to generate and convert customers, the quality of the Website's design, and the degree to which the business has an online and offline presence. Complete Article |
| 4/27/2005 9:00 AM |
| Epic Trends has started a new blog about usability. |
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Epic Trends has started a new blog about usability.The blog will cover subjects such as help authoring, user interface design, demo and tutorial authoring, usability, copywriting and multimedia. The blog will undoubtedly also discuss how to make software and web sites usable for special target groups such as teenagers, seniors, disabled users or foreign language speakers. These issues are becoming increasingly important in software and web development, as the Internet audience is growing increasingly diverse. Epic Trends has been an active member of the shareware community for several years and offers services such as copywriting and help authoring. |
| 4/25/2005 9:00 AM |
| The Power and Value of Topical Search Engines |
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While many marketers are scrambling for links, any links, an area that is often overlooked is topic-specific search engines. What many don't realize is that these engines do produce traffic, and they often contain traffic that is very targeted. Anyone who has taken the time to analyze weblogs and track sales sources will likely see that targeted traffic converts at a significantly higher rate than non-targeted traffic. A savvy online marketer realizes that often, the quality of the visitor is far more important than the quantity of visitors. Web marketers should focus their energies on attracting targeted traffic whenever possible. For example, if you sell saddles, advertising on a site related to horses or advertising on a topical search engine like http://www.horse-stall.net will bring significantly more sales than advertising on a generic web site or search engine. Complete Article - The Power and Value of Topical Search Engines |
| 4/22/2005 8:07 AM |
| Google Advertising Professionals Gain AdWords knowledge. Get Google recognition. Make more money. |
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Designed for professionals who currently manage or want to manage multiple AdWords client accounts, the Google Advertising Professionals program can help you become a more successful ad manager – for free. Google allows companies to small businesses to be companies as well. |
| 4/20/2005 9:00 AM |
| New Search Suggestion Tool |
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Enter your search term and SNAP will tell you related terms and the number of times the term has been searched on. As you type the terms it brings up related terms that include that text. |
| 4/20/2005 9:00 AM |
| Microsoft Website Publicizes Little-Known Deals |
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Most people don't know that Microsoft hosts a Website that lists what it calls "incentives" but what you or I would refer to as "sales" on specific Microsoft products. Currently, the Microsoft Incentives site is offering two such deals that might be of interest to small- and medium-sized businesses that are looking for ways to get professional services they would otherwise have to pay for. Microsoft Incentives |
| 4/19/2005 8:11 AM |
| ENTERWeb, the Popular Knowledge Portal for Small Business (Enterweb.org) has Just Opened a Section on Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility |
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As recently as a decade ago, many companies viewed business ethics only in terms of administrative compliance with legal standards and adherence to internal rules and regulations. Today the situation is different. Attention to business ethics is on the rise across the world and many companies realize that in order to succeed, they must earn the respect and confidence of their customers. Like never before, corporations are being asked, encouraged and prodded to improve their business practices to emphasize legal and ethical behavior. Companies, professional firms and individuals alike are being held increasingly accountable for their actions, as demand grows for higher standards of corporate social responsibility. Reflecting this new reality, ENTERWeb has just opened a new section on business ethics and corporate social responsibility, which will provide you with everything you need to know on the subject (and more). |
| 4/18/2005 9:00 AM |
| 10 Tips for Blogging |
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There are no hard and fast rules on how to blog. Having said that, bloggers will likely increase their exposure by following some simple blog guidelines. Read Complete Article - 10 Tips for Bloggers |
| 4/14/2005 9:00 AM |
| Inc. Top 500 - Apply Now |
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The Inc. 500 short questionnaire will be used to determine if your company qualifies for consideration for the prestigious 2005 Inc. 500 list. The Inc. 500 recognizes the fastest-growing private companies based in the U.S. Only independent, privately held corporations, proprietorships, and partnerships that have been in operation for at least four years should apply. The deadline for entries is May 1, 2005. Apply Now |
| 4/13/2005 7:07 AM |
| How Podcasting Works |
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While some traditional radio talk shows have begun providing podcasts of their regularly-scheduled broadcasts, the bulk of the podcasts that have cropped up tend to be independent broadcasters who have a fascination with technology. As a result, some podcasts are a little rough around the edges. Nonetheless, it is clear that the technology provides a significant opportunity and potential. Even nay-sayers believe that podcasting is more than a passing fad. Complete Article |
| 4/12/2005 7:33 AM |
| Submit RSS Feeds |
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Submit your RSS feed to a categorized RSS search on RSS Network. The site allows you to find feeds that are topic specific. RSS Network will even search all of the feeds items. Add your feed to this upcoming engine! |
| 4/12/2005 9:00 AM |
| ICANN Approves New Top-Level Domains |
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ICANN, the Internet's oversight agency, has given final approval to two new Internet top-level domains. One is ".jobs" for employment and human-resource companies. The other is ".travel" for the travel and tourism community.
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| 4/12/2005 9:00 AM |
| News Directory - Find News to Meet Your Needs |
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Search for Newspapers and Magazines by title or use category navigation to find topic specific news and information. Great news resource. |
| 4/11/2005 9:00 AM |
| Topic Specific Search Engines |
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While many marketers are scrambling for links, any links, an area that is oft over looked is topic specific search engines. What many don't realize is that these engines *are* used and they often contain traffic that is very targeted. Anyone who has taken the time to analyze weblogs will see that targeted traffic converts at a significantly higher rate than non-targeted traffic. A savvy web marketer should focus their energies on attracting targeted traffic whenever possible. Consider the following niche engines: Investing Partners Horse Stall Digital Photo Tips or even a directory engine like the one for RSS feeds at: RSS Network Imagine the targeted traffic that you can receive from a link in the above. |
| 4/9/2005 9:00 AM |
| Judge Sentences Spammer to Nine Years |
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A Virginia judge sentenced a spammer to nine years in prison Friday in the nation's first felony prosecution for sending junk e-mail, though the sentence was postponed while the case is appealed. Loudoun County Circuit Judge Thomas Horne said that because the law targeting bulk e-mail distribution is new and raises constitutional questions, it was appropriate to defer the prison time until appeals courts rule. A jury had recommended the nine-year prison term after convicting Jeremy Jaynes of pumping out at least 10 million e-mails a day with the help of 16 high-speed lines, the kind of Internet capacity a 1,000-employee company would need. |
| 4/7/2005 9:00 AM |
| Web Awards for 2005! |
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The Web Marketing Association has begun its 9th annual WebAward competition for Website development and entries are being accepted at www.2005webaward.org in 90 industry categories. Entering the WebAwards is a great way to promote both yourself and your Website to the outside world. Winning a WebAward is a great resume builder and is an opportunity to generate publicity for your site and provides valuable links to support your SEO strategies. For more information including past winners and the entry form, go to www.2005webaward.org |
| 4/6/2005 9:15 AM |
| Google AdSense Changes to Reporting |
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Google's AdSense has improved channels functionality: better tools to help you optimize Tuesday Google has introduced 3 updates to channel tracking, to make this feature even more useful: Channel reports in real-time: Until now, channel data was delayed 2 days before appearing in your reports. We've upgraded our system to provide real-time reporting, allowing you to quickly react to changes in your ad performance on a page-by-page basis. Remove channels: Your channels UI has been cleaned up, by introducing a 'Remove Channel' option that allows you to remove channels from your active and inactive lists. "Shift-select" for channels: When selecting channels from the Reports page selection box, use SHIFT+click to select multiple channels at once. More information about URL and custom channels is available from the support center. Improved reporting: ad unit impressions vs. page impressions We've added new options to your reporting page, allowing you to select from page impressions or ad unit impressions when generating your performance reports. Not sure what this means? Check out the AdSense Support center for an explanation of page impressions versus ad unit impressions. In addition, your browser will now remember your prior report settings each time you select a report. If you have a favorite report that you run often, you're going to love this feature! |
| 4/6/2005 9:00 AM |
| Web Search Engines |
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Great new topic specific directory for online marketers, webmasters and others interested in understanding online search. The Web Search Engines site is a topic specific directory that contains information on search tools, portals, resources, submission sites, forums and search engine promotion. |
| 4/5/2005 9:00 AM |
| Yahoo & FindWhat Face Off In Court This Month On Patents |
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Yahoo and Google settled their differences over a patent lawsuit involving paid listings last year, but Yahoo and FindWhat will duke it out in court later this month. Yahoo!/FindWhat Patent Dispute Headed for Trial |
| 4/5/2005 9:00 AM |
| CNET Networks Announces BNET, www.bnet.com, the Resource for Self-Motivated Business Leaders |
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CNET Networks, Inc., a leading interactive media company, today announced the launch of its BNET Web site, the latest addition to the company's portfolio of business-to-business properties. BNET, a comprehensive, high-quality source of business thought leadership, is designed to help self-motivated business leaders get smarter about what's working at work by finding the quality knowledge resources they need, regardless of their job function or industry. From its soft launch a year ago to its redesign, which went live today, BNET has already made a significant contribution to CNET Networks' goal of expanding its content offerings and attracting a broader audience and new customer segments. BNET complements the IT content focus of CNET Networks' business technology Web sites -- News.com, TechRepublic and ZDNet -- with "must know" content beyond IT that is critical across corporate functions. It leverages the company's strength in creating richer, deeper interactive experiences by combining the wisdom and passion of users, marketers and its own experts. BNET has amassed nearly 50,000 high-quality whitepapers, case studies, Webcasts, and audiocasts. Additionally, the site offers targeted email alerts and newsletters, hand-selected RSS feeds, and business blogs, including its award-winning "Leadership Now" blog. |
| 4/4/2005 9:15 AM |
| Phishing Being Threatened - Finally! |
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The Federal Trade Commission, the National Consumers League, and Microsoft on Thursday told consumers that they have the power to stop online identity thieves. Hedging its bets, however, Microsoft also announced it had filed over 100 lawsuits against alleged phishers. Phishing, where criminals attempt to hoodwink consumers into giving up personal information, including credit card and bank account numbers, by sending them e-mail that directs them to legitimate-looking Web sites, is a huge problem, all three organizations said at a Washington, D.C. press conference Thursday. |
| 4/4/2005 7:00 AM |
| Wiki means fast |
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Online collaborative sites open to everyone enable the sharing of ideas. There is a public Web site where people can find a Web log written by some prominent members of the government information technology community. Visitors can view a list of officials in the CIO Council's Communities of Practice and read ongoing revisions to a major government document, the data reference model. Members of the public also are contributing to the discussions. An emerging technology called "wiki" makes this collaboration possible. The word comes from "wiki wiki," Hawaiian for "fast." Wiki technology creates what is essentially a public Web log, one which anyone with a Web browser can add to or modify. Complete Article |
| 3/31/2005 7:09 AM |
| Making Better Cash Flow Forecasts |
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A key element of controlling cash is to forecast cash flows and requirements. This entails forecasting and tabulating all significant cash inflows relating to sales, new loans, interest received etc. and then analyzing in detail the timing of expected payments relating to suppliers, wages, other expenses, capital expenditure, loan repayments, dividends, tax, interest payments etc. The difference between the cash in- and out-flows within a given period indicates the net cash flow. When this net cash flow is added to or subtracted from opening bank balances, any likely short-term bank funding requirements can be ascertained. Complete Article |
| 3/30/2005 9:00 AM |
| SBA Introduces Online Resource For Small Business Email Marketing |
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Want to try marketing via email, but are unsure about how to go about it? A new resource unveiled by the Small Business Administration (SBA) might be able to help. Co-sponsored by Constant Contact, a self-described "do it yourself" email marketing service, this new email marketing resource is available through the SBA's Online Small Business Training Network now at http://sba.email-marketing-101.com. The site includes "Email Markeitng 101, a free on-demand Web seminar series that provides small businesses with email marketing education, easy-to-follow instructions, and advice. |
| 3/29/2005 9:00 AM |
| Steps to Creating and Promoting RSS |
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RSS, or Really Simple Syndication as it is commonly known, is a technology that gives webmasters the ability to easily distribute and publish syndicated content on the Internet. It seems like all Internet businesses now have RSS feeds available; at least your competitors do. You have finally made the decision that you have to have one. Where do you start? Steps to Creating an RSS feed |
| 3/28/2005 9:00 AM |
| Is Amazon the New Big Brother? |
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The debate is on with the privacy fanatics on the left and the smart marketers on the right. Amazon tracks the purchasing and browsing habits of their customers, some feel this is an invasion of privacy rights while still others feel that this is simply a form of intelligent targeted marketing. Amazon.com Knows and Predicts Shopping Habits |
| 3/25/2005 9:00 AM |
| Create Good Content |
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Danny Sullivan just has a knack for saying things the right way! "Sooner or later, virtually everyone who practices search engine optimization learns the most important "secret" to creating high ranking web pages. Often, after spending hours struggling with the arcana of tuning meta tags, balancing keyword density or spending hours in futile attempts at securing reciprocal links, most people finally see the light. The "secret" to high ranking web pages is almost frustratingly simple: Create good content." Complete Article |
| 3/24/2005 9:00 AM |
| Innovative Ways to Display RSS Feeds |
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RSS is a form of eXtensible Markup Language or XML. Viewing an RSS feed in a web browser generally produces code that is not easy for website visitors to decipher. As a result, webmasters use tools to display the content contained in an RSS feed. Content contained in RSS feeds can be added to websites a number of different ways. Each method for displaying the RSS feed has pros and cons associated with it. Webmasters will need to determine which option will best meet their hosting and technology needs. Displaying RSS Complete Article |
| 3/23/2005 9:00 AM |
| Unraveling Google and Understanding the Infamous Google Sandbox |
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There is a great article on Axandra that tackles the age old question of how long it takes to get listed in Google. The article explains Google Sandbox and ways to expedite listings. |
| 3/22/2005 9:00 AM |
| Feds Aim To Reduce Access To Social Security Numbers |
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Prompted by an incident in which personal information was fraudulently obtained from data broker ChoicePoint Inc., Congress is likely to enact legislation to limit the sale of Social Security numbers, a key lawmaker said last week. But the CEOs of ChoicePoint and information broker LexisNexis Group's U.S. Corporate and Federal Government Markets cautioned the lawmakers not to ban all sales of Social Security numbers.
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| 3/18/2005 9:00 AM |
| Interesting article on Search Engine Optimization |
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The article is interesting, I don't agree 100% with the sentiment expressed but its a view worth considering. "Greg Boser manipulates search engines for a living, and there's little the Googles of the world can do about it." "Boser, who owns and operates WebGuerrilla, a web marketing outfit based in Valencia, California, is not alone. An entire industry of search engine optimizers, called SEOs, has sprung up, many of which take advantage of loopholes in the way rankings are calculated." The best line is at the very end of the article - "Finally, there is "search spam," which are machine-generated pages designed to appear in the engines to attract traffic (and ultimately increase revenue)." But Boser defines search spam another way: "It's any site that ranks above mine." complete article - Search Engine Manipulation |
| 3/17/2005 9:00 AM |
| Yahoo! Debuts Yahoo! 360, an Innovative New Service That Allows Consumers to Conveniently Communicate and Connect with the People They Know |
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Yahoo! Users Can Now Create and Share Blogs; Share Photos from the Web or a Mobile Device; Recommend Favorites and More . Yahoo!, the No. 1 Internet brand and the most trafficked Internet destination worldwide, today announced Yahoo! 360, an innovative new service that allows people to easily share what matters most to them and keep connected with the people they know -- all in one convenient place. Available March 29 through an invitation-only beta, Yahoo! 360 will provide users with an integrated experience, seamlessly bringing together popular communications, content and community services such as Yahoo! Messenger(R), Yahoo! Photos, Yahoo! Local, LAUNCHcast Music and Yahoo! Groups with new services like web logs (blogs), mobile blogging (moblogging) and other sharing tools for recommending favorite movies, restaurants, music and more. The company plans to add additional features and functionality throughout the beta period. "Consumers are looking for a new type of service that takes the best of first generation social networking services and successfully integrates it with communications, self-publishing and community tools," said Dan Rosensweig, chief operating officer of Yahoo!. "Yahoo! 360 will offer consumers an innovative and engaging way for people to share their lives, leverage their community and get the most out of their online experience." The Yahoo! 360 beta is designed to give consumers the control to share what they want, with whom they want, in the way that they want, thanks to unprecedented privacy and sharing controls. Yahoo! 360 will also be the first service to offer a convenient "My Friends" page that gives consumers a full perspective on the latest postings and new content from the people they know. Consumers will also be able to view their friends' blogs on My Yahoo!, with Yahoo!'s Mobile Internet service or through any RSS reader. |
| 3/16/2005 9:00 AM |
| SEO for RSS |
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In some ways RSS is very similar to HTML, the language commonly used to create websites. Just as with HTML, webmasters using traditional search engine optimization tactics when creating an RSS feed will find that their RSS feed receives additional exposure and interest. Complete Article - SEO for RSS |
| 3/14/2005 9:00 AM |
| TPW Text-to-Hyperlink Conversion Tool |
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Very cool tool to automatically convert links to hyper-links. Insert article or text that include an url and the converter automatically converts the links to live hyper links. Additional Details |
| 3/14/2005 9:00 AM |
| Yahoo Beefs Up Small Business Site |
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Yahoo has revamped the information resources section of its small business site, increasing the section's content tenfold, redesigning the layout, and adding search functionality, according to a Yahoo executive. The resource center will feature about 1000 articles on topics such as legal issues, starting a business, sales and marketing, e-commerce, and finances. The content comes from Yahoo and from a variety of partners, such as Inc. magazine, Entrepreneur.com, and Nolo. Read More |
| 3/11/2005 9:00 AM |
| Are you apt to make mistakes? You're not alone. Find out how to avoid these 8 common pitfalls. |
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Businesspeople don't necessarily follow flawed strategies because they're greedy, arrogant or careless. Our brains are wired in ways that tend to prevent us from following tried-and-true strategic principles. That's the view of Charles Roxburgh, a London director of consulting firm McKinsey & Co. who cites behavioral economics studies that show decision-makers commit similar mistakes in ways that suggest irrational behavior is innate. Complete Article |
| 3/10/2005 9:00 AM |
| Innovative Business Use of RSS as a Technology |
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RSS, or Really Simple Syndication, is a new way to broadcast corporate news and structured information. RSS offers a quick, easy corporate communication channel. The RSS contents are published as a feed and the feed's content keep customers, partners and journalists abreast of corporate news and information. The RSS feeds are read using a tool referred to as a news aggregator, or an RSS reader. The aggregator periodically checks to see if the RSS feed has been updated. As the feed is updated, new information will automatically appear in the RSS reader. While RSS was at one point only considered to be a means to deliver news headlines, RSS has quickly become a powerful medium to disseminate all kinds of information. As traditional marketers are attempting to rein in content delivery, measuring e-mail open rates, click-throughs and conversions, Internet users are fighting to gain control over the content they receive. Savvy marketers and business owners are using RSS as a way to improve corporate communication and increase their external exposure and brand appeal. Additional Details - Innovative Business Use of RSS as a Technology |
| 3/8/2005 9:00 AM |
| US Domain Owners Lose Privacy |
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The U.S. Commerce Department has ordered companies that administer internet addresses to stop allowing customers to register .us domain names anonymously using proxy services. The move does not affect owners of .com and .net domains. But it means website owners with .us domains will no longer be able to shield their name and contact information from public eyes. The Electronic Privacy Information Center said the move violates First Amendment rights to anonymous free speech. And the representative of one of the largest domain-registration companies is concerned that customers who have been victims of stalkers won't be able to protect their privacy without changing their web address to a domain that offers anonymity. |
| 3/7/2005 7:47 AM |
| Google Formally Launches Desktop Search |
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Google Inc. late on Sunday made its desktop search widely available as it takes on rivals Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. in the race to help users find e-mail and files stored on computer hard drives. Google in October was the first major search company to roll out a test version of its desktop search offering. Google Desktop Search locates e-mail, AOL chat sessions and previously viewed Web pages. It also searches various file types, from PDFs and Microsoft Word files to audio, video and photo files. Office workers and other computer users previously had few effective tools for finding documents and e-mail buried on their personal computers. Search companies and others have jumped in to fill that void with the hope of replicating the success Web search has enjoyed. |
| 3/7/2005 7:42 AM |
| Kerry Takes On Small-Business Law Violators |
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If you've been wondering what John Kerry has been doing since he lost the presidential race against President George W. Bush, look no further. The Massachusetts senator has called for a full audit of the federal government's Small Business Administration (SBA) for fiscal 2003 in an effort to ensure the SBA is protecting small businesses. A December 2004 report from the SBA Office of Advocacy found that more than $2 billion in federal contracts that were designated for small businesses in fiscal 2002, many of which were IT-focused, were, in fact, awarded to large and midsize companies. Kerry called for the SBA to investigate 44 firms.
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| 3/2/2005 9:00 AM |
| Yahoo is 10 Years Old |
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Its official today is Yahoo's birthday. As a search engine and directory it certainly has evolved. One thing that can not be argued is that Yahoo has staying power.
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| 3/1/2005 9:00 AM |
| Keywords and Four Word Searches |
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Internet users who use four-word searches are more likely to purchase goods or services or receive items of value than those using fewer words. Keep this in mind when selecting search phrases for pay-per-click search engines. Complete Article |
| 3/1/2005 9:00 AM |
| Podcasting is Not Just for Music |
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Although podcasting is new, it is well on its way to becoming a mainstream communication medium. Podcasting, simply put, is audio files that are delivered via RSS. Many people believe that podcasting is solely for the distribution of music files, but really, nothing could be further from the truth. This emerging method of audio file distribution has opened an array of marketing and communication opportunities to businesses. Currently, most who are familiar with podcasting are technically savvy, but it is clear that podcasting will be more than a passing fad as many businesses are adopting podcasting and employing it in unusual yet powerful ways. Podcasting can be used for talk shows, tutorials, music demos, educational training, stories, comedy clips, debates or even foreign language tutorials. Complete Article - Podcasting is Not Just for Music |
| 2/28/2005 9:00 AM |
| Legalities on the Web |
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Copyright protection for a web site is just as enforceable as it is for traditional media. U.S. copyright law states that electronic files—including web files—are copyrighted the moment they're put into a tangible form, even if they're not on display to the general public. Protected web files may include the site's content, code, scripting, graphic images, sound and video files. "One way to determine if your site's content has been stolen is to use the search engines," said Matt Naeger, Vice President and General Counsel at IMPAQT. "The primary way is to see your copy in the search results. Copy-paste an extended piece of text from your web site and see what other web sites show up for that same text. Typically two sites shouldn't legitimately show up for the exact same web copy. I would say I have seen higher rates of recidivism, if you can show publication through the search engine." Complete Article - Legalities on the Web |
| 2/16/2005 9:00 AM |
| RSS: News You Choose |
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Publishers and webmasters provide content and news in an RSS feed. Users view the content of interest in an RSS reader or news aggregator. The aggregator or reader contains the collection of feeds that are of interest to the user. As the RSS feed is updated the content in the reader or aggregator updates with the new information. At any point, users can remove a feed from their aggregator or reader and no longer receive information from that source. Ultimately, the user is choosing the news and content they wish to view. As RSS has increased in popularity more and more webmasters and publishers have adopted RSS as an alternative communication stream. Webmasters use an RSS graphic to indicate the content is available via RSS. Complete Article - RSS News You Choose |
| 2/22/2005 9:00 AM |
| Internet Fraud Threatens Economy |
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Internet fraudsters, motivated by money and armed with sophisticated technology, pose an increased economic threat as they steal private data from companies and individuals, the director of the U.S. Secret Service said Thursday. "There is no longer any doubt about that threat ... With just a few key strokes, (online fraudsters) can disrupt our nation's economy," said Ralph Basham at the RSA Security Conference in San Francisco. In addition to protecting the U.S. president, the Secret Service also helps to protect U.S. financial institutions. Security analysts have warned that Internet hackers, once motivated by the thrill of shutting down computer systems, are joining forces with organized crime groups as they seek to profit from hacking into databases and stealing personal data through a variety of tactics, like phishing. Complete Article |
| 2/21/2005 6:25 AM |
| 39% Of Small-Business Owners Plan To Expand Through Use of Technology |
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Owners of smaller companies are less worried about the economy than they were a year ago, a new survey finds. Right now, about 31% of business owners say the economy is their biggest concern, according to a study commissioned by small-business software maker Intuit Inc. That's down from 36% last year. Intuit hired independent market-research firm Decipher to gauge the optimism of that sector of the economy and to find out how companies will fuel their growth. A bit more than one-third of business owners surveyed say they are, indeed, fixing to expand their company. And more say they'll do it through productivity-boosting business technology than by hiring more people. Fully 39% say they'll grow by buying new software and hardware, 27% are depending on marketing initiatives, and only 11% will expand their payroll. The base of respondents comprised 755 owners of companies with fewer than 250 workers that had been open at least two years. Article courtesy of InformationWeek |
| 2/18/2005 9:00 AM |
| New York Times buys About.com |
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The bidding is over and the winner has been named. Word this afternoon that The NY Times will become the new owner of About.com. The Times will pay Primedia $410 million in cash. About.com was purchased by Primedia in 2000 for $610 million in stock. |
| 2/15/2005 9:00 AM |
| Google is giving more weight to latent semantic indexing |
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Latent semantic indexing helps search engines to find out what a web page is all about. It basically means to you that you shouldn't focus on a single keyword when optimizing your web pages and when getting links. The web pages on your web site should be related and focus mainly on a special topic while using different words that describe the topic. Use variations of your keyword and synonyms. That makes it easier for search engines to determine the topic of your site. Complete Article |
| 2/10/2005 9:00 AM |
| RSS Tools |
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Considering the ever-increasing support for RSS in online communities, we have compiled a list of resources and products that will benefit webmasters, web surfers and publishers in their quest to understand the power of RSS. RSS has rapidly become an alternative communication venue. In order to understand the full benefits, consider utilizing some of the following tools and resources. Complete Article - RSS Tools |
| 2/9/2005 9:00 AM |
| About.com is for Sale and There is Interest |
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The New York Times article: About.com, Primedia's Web Venture, Is for Sale, alerts us to the fact that the About.com property is for sale but also that both Yahoo!, Google, AOL, and The New York Times are bidding to purchase the site. Final bids must be received by today. According to The Times, the asking price is $350 million to $500 million. |
| 2/8/2005 9:00 AM |
| Google loses trademark case in France Published: February 4, 2005, 3:14 PM PST |
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A French court on Friday ruled against Google in a trademark infringement case brought by Louis Vuitton Malletier, in the latest legal setback to the search giant overseas. The Paris District Court has sanctioned Google and its French subsidiary from selling search-related advertisements against trademarks owned by the luxury fashion designer, which sued the search giant in early 2004. The court charged Google with trademark counterfeiting, unfair competition and misleading advertising. Google was ordered to pay $257,430 Complete Article |
| 2/7/2005 9:00 AM |
| MSN Has Finally Launched Their New Search Engine |
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Microsoft has finally launched their new search engine. The new MSN has accepted the task of challenging Google as the market leader. After submitting sites and analyzing rankings here are factors we believe are helpful to obtain strong ranking in MSN. Hyphenated Domains - domain names with hyphenated keywords appear to perform well. Sites Age - older sites tend to rank better Sites Size - bigger is better Title - no big surprise it appears the title meta tag is heavily factored into their results Description - the description appears to influence some results Incoming Links - while not as obvious as many of those above it appears that incoming links may play a factor in ranking |
| 2/3/2005 9:00 AM |
| In the aftermath of a catastrophic wave, entrepreneurs cook up creative ways to help. |
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There was no champagne on New Year's Eve at the Jericho, New York, offices of Integrated Direct Marketing, but there was a good deal of celebrating. Three of the marketing firm's 12 employees were working late on an e-mail campaign for a longtime client, a men's Catholic missionary group, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, which claims thousands of members in 71 countries. What made the client, and its mission, so relevant on this particular holiday is that the Oblates happened to have more than 400 volunteers already set up in offices in Sri Lanka, India, and Indonesia, which had just days before been devastated by a deadly tsunami that, to date, has killed more than 150,000 people in coastal Asia. In the days after the event, Integrated Direct's employees, led by account executive Anthony DeBetta, worked furiously to pull together an online fundraising drive for the Oblates, who were even better suited than volunteer groups like the Red Cross to help out. And though it was late on New Year's Eve, and DeBetta and his team had planned to leave the office hours before, their persistence paid off. The fundraising campaign--directed at 26,000 people who had already donated to the Oblates' cause--began raising more than $1,000 an hour for tsunami victims. By New Year's Day, says DeBetta, the company had helped the missionary group raise $15,000, and the effort is ongoing. DeBetta says the goal is to help raise $250,000 by the end of January. Complete Article |
| 2/2/2005 9:00 AM |
| Apple Edges Google as Top Brand |
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Arabic media channel Al Jazeera has been voted the world's fifth most influential brand in a poll of branding professionals that gave the top slot to U.S. iPod and computer icon Apple. In the survey of almost 2,000 ad executives, brand managers and academics by online magazine Brandchannel, Apple ousted search engine Google from last year's top spot, but the surprise to many will be Al Jazeera's entry into the top five. Complete Article |
| 2/1/2005 9:00 AM |
| Determining Keywords |
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Determining keywords is a critical step in web design. If your website and meta tags do not contain related keywords, web surfers will be unable to find your website when they conduct searches. The formula is a little tricky - you will need to locate terms that are popular and relevant to your site. These terms may or may not be terms that *you* feel are relevant terms. The optimal terms in a site should be terms that a potential customer would use when searching for a website with your content. In order to achieve success your website should be optimized with terms and phrases that are descriptive, related to your content, and which receive a significant amount of searches. The caveat, of course, is that you want to find terms and phrases where there is little competition, so you quickly achieve high ranking in the important search engines. Complete Article - Determining Keywords |
| 1/31/2005 9:00 AM |
| Ideal Length of a Business Plan |
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What is the ideal page length of a business plan? Well, what is the length of a piece of string? The answer really depends on the purpose and scope of the plan - are we talking about a basic or comprehensive plan. See the tip below on Decide on your type of Business Plan at the Outset. Complete Article |
| 1/28/2005 9:08 AM |
| Smart Online Marketing Efforts |
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Robin Good wrote an amazing piece about Smart Online Marketing in his column on Master New Media. The article discusses innovative marketing efforts, content creation and syndication. |
| 1/27/2005 9:00 AM |
| SBA Asks for Feedback on New Rules on Contracts |
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Following on the heels of a report that found that the government has been shortchanging small businesses when doling out federal contracts, the Small Business Association announced last week that it is taking public comments through February 1 to help firm up a new policy that helps define what a small business is. "Our goal is to seek advanced comments before making our decision - which is not something that have done often," said Mike Stamler, an SBA spokesperson. "When we do sit down to the write the rule, it will be the best one for all small businesses and not just a particular sector." Complete Article |
| 1/25/2005 9:00 AM |
| Google to provide Adwords API |
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Google is about to announce technology that will allow its advertisers unprecedented levels of control over when, where, and who can view their advertising on Google search pages and those of Google partner web sites. For the first time, the search giant will provide its advertisers with an application programming interface (API), which will enable them to link their computer systems with Google and control parts of the mammoth Google ad delivery system. The API will allow advertisers to self-administer the delivery, the timing and the price they will pay for their text ads. Complete Article - Google API |
| 1/24/2005 9:00 AM |
| Understanding Web Logs |
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General web statistics give pertinent information about website visitors. Webmasters analyzing these statistics have a better understanding of who their website visitors are and how they perceive the website. A lot can be learned by evaluating navigation patterns, most-viewed pages and exit pages. Deciphering web logs could easily become a full-time job. The information that can be gleaned from close log scrutiny is extremely valuable. Complete Article - Understanding Web Logs |
| 1/22/2005 9:14 PM |
| Google loses trademark dispute in France |
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A French court has ruled that Google must refrain from using the trademarks of European resort chain Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts to trigger keyword ads. Complete Article |
| 1/21/2005 9:00 AM |
| Wireless The Way of the Future |
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Officials at Washington State Ferries plan to officially kick-off Wi-Fi service for passengers on their high-traffic Seattle routes next month, said Jim Long, information technology director for the state-owned ferry system. Long said ferry system officials will officially launch Wi-Fi service Feb. 3 on the eight-mile long Seattle-Bainbridge run, which carries about 6.5 million passengers annually. Long added the service has been available during a test period since the beginning of January. Complete Article |
| 1/19/2005 9:00 AM |
| Dumping Your Display? Think Again. |
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Monitors and motherboards are considered hazardous waste -- so before you throw out old equipment you'd better check the local laws. Now that the economic picture has begun to brighten, companies are starting to replace legacy hardware with new PCs, monitors, printers, and other peripherals. However, disposing of the old hardware is proving to be a difficult problem for companies, especially because new computers are so cheap that companies can't give them away. Complete Article - Dumping Monitors Similar Article - Cellular Waste |
| 1/18/2005 9:00 AM |
| What is Podcasting |
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What is Podcasting Podcasting is quickly becoming a buzz word among the techie crowd. So what is podcasting, anyway? Podcasting is online audio content that is delivered via an RSS feed. Many people liken podcasting to radio on demand. However, in reality, podcasting gives far more options in terms of content and programming than radio does. In addition, with Podcasting, listeners can determine the time and the place, meaning they decide what programming they want to receive and when they want to listen to it. Listeners can retain audio archives to listen to at their leisure. While blogs have turned many bloggers into journalists, podcasting has the potential to turn podcasters into radio personalities. Complete Article What is Podcasting |
| 1/14/2005 9:00 AM |
| Symantec says Spam growth slowing at last |
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The volume of e-mail made up of spam has stabilized, according to figures from Symantec's (Profile, Products, Articles) Brightmail unit. December's figures, culled from traffic traveling through its servers, showed that 67 percent of e-mail is now spam, identical to the previous month. That was after three months when spam volumes were stable at 66 percent. This is still equivalent to tens of millions of messages per day, but the statistics will come as welcome relief after recent dire predictions that the phenomenon would soon account for nearly all e-mail sent. Read More Spam is Declining |
| 1/13/2005 9:15 AM |
| SBA Offers Free Courses |
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The Small Business Administration is offering free courses to small business owners. The directory of courses is online and available FREE of charge. |
| 1/11/2005 9:00 AM |
| Website Flavor - Google Labs |
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Enter the URL of your site in the text box below, and Google will try to infer a profile for your site based on its content. Give the new Google Labs Tool a try. |
| 1/10/2005 9:00 AM |
| Webmaster Tools |
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With new technologies, algorithms and sources emerging on a daily basis, webmasters are constantly struggling to stay informed. The quality of content on the web and the number of products available to webmasters can seem overwhelming. The goal of creating a site that can be quickly found can be a struggle. Complete Webmaster Tools Article |
| 1/7/2005 9:38 AM |
| Marketing Firms Receive Recognition |
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Nominations are now being accepted for MarketingSherpa's 2005 SEM Buyer's Guide --which includes both paid search and SEO agencies and consultancies. The deadline for the nomination is Jan 30, 2005. Submit your favorite SEO agencies. |
| 1/6/2005 9:00 AM |
| School Project Worth Billions?? |
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Has there ever been a brand name like Google? Non-existent six years ago, it’s now a part of the global language, as in, “I Googled this,” or “I Googled that,” or “I Googled you.” To Google, a verb, is to get an instant answer by using the company's super-computer to look up anything on the Internet. What began as a school project is now worth about as much as Ford and General Motors combined, thanks to a stock that has roughly doubled in price since the company went public last August. Complete Article |
| 1/5/2005 10:15 AM |
| Surfing Habits of Google Surfers |
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How do web surfers from Google Inc. use the Web? What are their navigation habits? How are their systems configured? How do they use search engines and e-commerce sites? How does their usage compare with other companies in the same sector? Additional Details |
| 1/4/2005 9:00 AM |
| Articles Submissions |
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Article syndication is a great way to increase your website's exposure and your Internet profile. There is a large list of article submission sites on Software Marketing Resource. |
| 1/3/2005 9:00 AM |
| New Article Available for Publication - Tools for Online Tracking |
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A new article has been posted to the free content section. The article details a number of Tools for Online Tracking. In order to determine which advertising and marketing efforts are effective you must have ways to measure the results of those efforts. Alerts and instant notifications can be instrumental in monitoring search engine position, trademarked terms, monitoring competitors and staying abreast of online occurrences. |
| 12/31/2004 9:09 AM |
| Happy New Year |
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To all the small business owners, wishing you a happy new year. With peace, prosperity and few taxes.
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| 12/27/2004 8:51 AM |
| Small Business Concerns |
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The cost and availability of health insurance remains the No. 1 concern for small-business owners, according to the most recent survey by the National Federation of Independent Business. But the problem is not as big as it was a year ago. In November, 25 percent of entrepreneurs claimed health care costs were their biggest problem, down from 28 percent a year ago. Coming in at No. 2 is taxes, with 17 percent of small-business owners saying it's their top concern.
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| 12/21/2004 9:26 AM |
| Small Business Matchmaking Goes Online |
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the HP Small Business Foundation, a non-profit subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard, Thursday announced the schedule for their 2005 Business Matchmaking events. These events, which take place at specified dates throughout the year in cities around the U.S., match small companies with government agencies and private sector corporations, including Fortune 500 companies. The small businesses then have a chance to meet the buyers one-on-one or via phone to negotiate for potential contracts. In 2005 the SBA in partnership with HP will launch the Business Matchmaking Online Network, in which small business owners will be able to participate in the matchmaking process virtually, without having to travel to one of the regular Business Matchmaking events. Initially to be launched as a pilot program in Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver, Kansas City, and Tampa, the program is slated to be rolled out nationwide in September 2005. Complete Article on Small Business Match Making |
| 12/20/2004 7:16 AM |
| $21 billion available in SBA loan programs |
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President Bush signed legislation Dec. 8 that makes more than $21 billion available in loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration's two main loan programs. The bill also reauthorizes the agency's programs and provides a $580 million budget for fiscal year 2005. Expect to see continued growth in the area of small businesses, as it appears the US feels the economy is in the hands of American small businesses. |
| 12/15/2004 9:00 AM |
| Small Business Taxes |
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Remember now is the time to talk to your accountant. If you company was excessively profitable this year, give your accountant a call and find out what expenses can be made to offset profit. Figure out a plan to save and reinvest revenues. There are a number of opportunities and tax advantages for small businesses but they must be implemented before the end of the year! |
| 12/14/2004 9:00 AM |
| Submit Your Online Newsletter or Ezine |
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If you have an Ezine or newsletter be sure to submit it to the ezine directory at EzineDepot. EzineDepot is an ezine and newsletter directory search engine, editors and publishers submit their ezines or newsletters free of charge. If you wish to elevate your listing you may bid for position.
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| 12/13/2004 9:00 AM |
| New Google Suggestion Tool in Beta |
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As you type into the search box, Google Suggest guesses what you're typing and offers suggestions in real time. This is similar to Google's "Did you mean?" feature that offers alternative spellings for your query after you search, except that it works in real time. For example, if you type "bass," Google Suggest might offer a list of refinements that include "bass fishing" or "bass guitar." Similarly, if you type in only part of a word, like "progr," Google Suggest might offer you refinements like "programming," "programming languages," "progesterone," or "progressive." You can choose one by scrolling up or down the list with the arrow keys or mouse. Try out Google Suggest |
| 12/10/2004 6:28 AM |
| Google AdSense Changes for Webmasters |
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Google Google has just announced new features for Google Adsense, the most beneficial change is changes to the Channel tracking program. Google's new url channels mean that webmasters will be able to more effectively track what pages or ads are effective on a site. URL Channels Google introduced a whole new type of channel for accounts. URL channels allow webmasters to track the performance of individual pages, or groups of pages, without having to update your ad code. Simply click the 'Channel Management' link below the Settings' tab to get started. By entering a full or partial URL, you'll immediately begin tracking the performance of your pages. You can enter a top-level domain name to track all of the pages on that domain, or you can enter a partial URL to track all of the pages below a certain directory. Entering a full URL will track the performance of that particular page. For examples and instructions, please refer to the Channels section of AdSense Support Additional Google Adsense enhancements Google has expanded the program in other areas as well including enhanced image support. Login in to your AdSense account to review the new opportunities. |
| 12/9/2004 6:25 AM |
| The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) reports that home-based businesses are on the rise in the United States. |
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As technology increases convenience, more and more self-employed have opened or moved their business into their own homes, giving them greater flexibility and control over their professional and personal lives. According to newly released U.S. Census data, 4.2 million Americans worked from home in 2000, a 23 percent increase from the number of home-based workers in 1990. Increase of Home Based Small Businesses |
| 12/7/2004 9:00 AM |
| RSS Benefits to Publishers and Readers |
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The big benefit to RSS is that individuals opt-in to content of interest, totally controlling the flow of information that they receive. If the quality of the content in the feed declines, users simply remove the feed from their RSS reader and they will not receive any additional updates from that source. The RSS reader acts as an aggregator, allowing users to view and scan multiple content streams in a timely fashion. Complete Article - RSS Benefits |
| 12/6/2004 8:55 AM |
| Internet Advertising Awards |
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For anyone how is interested, the 2005 Internet Advertising Awards are now accepting entries. The IAC Awards are the first and only industry-based advertising award competition dedicated exclusively to online advertising. For those who have participated in the past, there has been a number of changes to to the competition format including an increase in the number of industry categories and an upgraded trophy for the winners. Also there will be a best of show winner selected for each of the advertising medium categories (page-based ad, email-based ad, online newsletter, interactive application and microsite/landing page). The deadline for entry is January 31, 2005 and complete information can be found on the award website at www.iacaward.org |
| 12/3/2004 9:00 AM |
| Small-business Outlook Seen As Improving |
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The chief economist for the National Federation of Independent Business painted an upbeat picture Thursday of the U.S. economy in the coming year and said the nation's small businesses will serve as an important stimulus for further growth. "We're doing very well with this economy," said NFIB economist William Dunkelberg. "The outlook for general business conditions is positive," he said. Dunkelberg, who is a frequent guest on national cable financial news shows, said that many economic indicators are pointing to a strong economy next year. complete article |
| 12/1/2004 7:33 AM |
| National Small Business Week - Nominate Entrepeneurs |
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National Small Business Week honors America 's entrepreneurs -- the men and women who start and grow the small businesses that drive our nation's economy. As part of the celebration, the U.S. Small Business Administration and its partners recognize small business owners and advocates from across the country. The Nominations Guidelines for Celebrating Small Business Week provide the information you need to nominate individuals or businesses for special awards. Nomination Details
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| 12/1/2004 9:00 AM |
| Number of U.S. small business rising |
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The number of U.S. small grew by 3.9 percent from 2001 to 2002, the U.S. Census Bureau said Tuesday, with the state of Nevada leading the way. During the one year period, the latest for which the data is available, the number of businesses that have one or more owner but no paid employees and represent 70 percent of the U.S. total, went from 17 million to more than 17.6 million, the bureau said in its 2002 report on Non-employer Statistics. Complete Article |
| 11/30/2004 7:04 AM |
| Developing a Corporate Identity |
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Often small businesses attend trade shows. Even though you are not exhibiting, you ought to create a corporate identity. Consider branding a shirt, jacket or hat, as a walking advertisement for your business. You might find exhibitors or other attendees are interested in your business, what better way to let them know who you are?
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| 11/24/2004 9:00 AM |
| Google Sues Over Click Fraud |
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Google has sued an Internet marketing firm that it says used false advertising clicks to defraud Google's pay-per-click advertising system. The case against Auctions Expert International is one of the first involving click fraud. Complete Article
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| 11/22/2004 9:01 AM |
| Free RSS Service for Newsletter Publishers |
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NewslettersByRSS.com A free RSS service for Newsletter Publishers. Web sites have long used Newsletters to increase their 'draw' of visitors back to their web site. This successful strategy is in peril because of the ravages of SPAM. Publishers of emailed newsletters have seen the open rate of their newsletter drop to an alarming degree. NewslettersByRSS is a bridge product. It allows newsletter publishers to continue to deliver their newsletters by email while trying out a new delivery vehicle - RSS technology. It is a FREE service that bypasses the problems of firewalls, SPAM filters and user indifference to their inbox. A publisher simply adds their NewslettersByRSS email address to their list of subscribers. Each newsletter delivered by email to this NewslettersByRSS email address is available to any user with a RSS feed reader. |
| 11/19/2004 10:30 AM |
| Search Engine Strategies |
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The Premier Event for Search Engine Marketing & Optimization Returns to Chicago December 13th-16th. Organized by Danny Sullivan a GOD of search engine promotion, the conference is extremely popular and has received high compliments from past attendees. Search Engine Strategies Conference & Expo 2004 features presentations and panel discussions that cover all aspects of search engine-related promotion. |
| 11/16/2004 9:01 AM |
| Web Still Young |
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"I think the Internet's largest opportunities are in bringing new services, ones that we barely imagine, to billions of people around the world, wirelessly," said John Doerr, one of Silicon Valley's most renowned venture capitalists and a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. "We're probably in the early ... adolescence of this Internet world." |
| 11/15/2004 9:01 AM |
| Awards for Small Businesses in Developing Countries |
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A group of Harvard students is teaming up with the United Nations and leading an effort to identify promising small entrepreneurs in developing countries to highlight the United Nations' coming International Year of Microcredit. The multinational effort consists of contests in eight developing nations. The project is led by a group of four Harvard Business School (HBS) students, supported by a global team of more than 40 microfinance and development experts, young professionals, and graduate students from Harvard and other universities around the globe. Called "The Global Microentrepreneurship Awards," the contests will identify successful small businesses in Afghanistan, Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Mexico, Mozambique, Pakistan, and Rwanda. The countries represent a range of developing nations in population and economic status, from Rwanda with 8 million people, many of whom earn less than a dollar a day, to Mexico, with more than 100 million people, most of whom earn much more. |
| 11/12/2004 9:01 AM |
| Auto-Detect RSS feeds on Websites |
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Auto-Detect RSS Dan Veaner from BadMarketing.biz sent along this tip. Add this to your head tag in your html and the Firefox browser will let users subscribe to your feed through the Firefox bookmark system. [link rel ="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="RSS" href="http://www.url-of-rss-file.xml" /] Replace "[" with "<" replace "]" with ">" in the above text. |
| 11/11/2004 9:01 AM |
| Understanding RSS; RSS Resource |
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RSS Specifications - a comprehensive rss reference detailing everything you need to know about RSS. RSS is an acronym for Really Simple Syndication and Rich Site Summary. RSS is an XML-based format for content distribution. Webmasters create an RSS file containing headlines and descriptions of specific information. While the majority of RSS feeds currently contain news headlines or breaking information the long term uses of RSS are broad. RSS files are formed as XML files and are designed to provide content summaries of news, blogs, forums or website content.
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| 11/10/2004 9:01 AM |
| Calendar of Industry Marketing Events |
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The Online Advertising Discussion List manages a calendar of several industry events each year. At the conferences Online advertising, marketing, and PR professionals share their insight of emerging issues such as search engine submission techniques, wireless advertising, effective email sponsorships, and viral marketing. Check the calendar to determine if their might be some trade shows of interest. |
| 11/9/2004 9:01 AM |
| Telling Your Visitors their Location and IP Address |
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IP2Phrase is a free interesting tool that determines website visitors connection, IP address and the town they are connecting from. While the technology is interesting your customers might become paranoid at the thought of you monitoring their locations. IP2Phrase allows you to insert customized welcome messages with country, city and ISP on to your web page dynamically. |
| 11/8/2004 9:01 AM |
| Blog Connection |
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Blog Connection is a new source to connect with information related to blogging. Premier resource for all things related to blogs. Blog Connection is your source to connect to the blogging world. The site contains all types of information related to blogging! Blogs are the latest craze in communication. |
| 11/5/2004 9:31 AM |
| Yahoo!'s Overture Looks At Simpler Models to Court Advertisers |
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Overture, the grandmother of Pay Per Click might move away from competitive bidding and go to a flat rate model? Who would have thought that the pay per click model and bidding process would evolve that way that it has? "We're focused on simplifying from several directions, and that's what it's going to take," he told an audience at the Kelsey Group's Interactive Local Media conference today. "We need to help marketers to think about their objectives, not on the keywords they're picking. Not whether they're bidding $0.14, but whether they're meeting their objectives. We're entertaining subscription models. It's going to take all of that." |
| 11/4/2004 10:01 AM |
| Name A Business |
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Creating a business name starts with a good business name idea or concept. It can be parts of two words that are common to your industry. For example, if you are a quality IT company, you may come up with QualTech as a name. This is the most common and most basic form of naming, and it's where most people start. What you end up with is something that sounds rather forced and not at all intuitive. NameABusiness.com
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| 11/3/2004 10:01 AM |
| Adwords Tutorials For Small Businesses |
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Google has posted some interesting tutorials to assist prospective customers with Google Adwords. What impressed me more than the actual tutorial was the concept of providing a very professional step by step visual aid to entice visitors. The demo moved a long at a nice speed was not too much and presented a visual representation of what customers could expect. Perhaps small business owners can incorporate similar tutorials into their sites to entice customers. See tutorials - Google Adwords Optimization tutorial | General Explanation |
| 11/2/2004 10:01 AM |
| Do I Need an RSS Feed |
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Do I Need an RSS Feed? RSS has been around for more than 10 years but has only recently become popular. RSS provides headlines and summaries of information in a concise and standardized way. Article Do I Need an RSS Feed? |
| 11/1/2004 10:01 AM |
| Information on Website Design |
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Many sites put very little emphasis on their actual web design, instead of focusing on their product or service. The lack of attention to design is a big mistake. A well designed website is an important sales tool. I've been reading the blog on Shareware Promotions over the last week or so, and it really has some great advice about designing with sales in mind. Adopt some of their ideas and it is likely your conversions will increase. Information on Web Design
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| 10/31/2004 10:01 AM |
| GMail Security Hole |
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In an Interview with Nana NetLife Magazine, a hacker exposed security holes in Google's GMail. So you've got a Gmail mail account? Or maybe you've just received an invitation? Well, we have some bad news for you: Your mail box is exposed. A major security hole in Google's mail service, allows full access to user accounts, without the need of a password. "Everything could get publicly exposed – your received mails might be readable, as well as all of your sent mail, and furthermore – anyone could send and receive mail under your name", thus reveals Nir Goldshlagger, an Israeli hacker, on an exclusive interview with Nana NetLife Magazine. "Even more alarming", he explains, "is the fact that the hack itself is quite simple. All that is needed of the malicious hacker, beside knowledge of the specific technique, is quite basic computer knowledge, the victim's username – and that's it, he's inside". When approached, Google admitted to the security flaw. Google also assured us that this matter is being resolved, and that "the company will go to any length to protect its users". |
| 10/29/2004 10:01 AM |
| Giving it Away |
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Offering a lite free version is a great way to attract attention to your product line. Free products generate interest and good will. Once you have a prospective customers attention you can often communicate additional offerings or interest them in an advanced version or additional products. Use a free version as the lure. |
| 10/28/2004 10:01 AM |
| SurfSaver Saves Time and Prevents Clutter |
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I recently decided that it was time to move away from a paper laden office. Now you have to understand my habits, I find something interesting, I print it. When I have time I sort through my stacks of printed material and either dig deeper into items of interest or toss them. Hence my office is constantly in a state of disarray. The first thing I did was to download SurfSaver, a program that claims to save & search web pages instantly. I figured that I would store web pages of interest in SurfSaver rather than printing a copy. I didn't expect the added bonus of being able to search the documents. What I've found is that SurfSaver not only got rid of my huge stacks of paper but that I can now *find* what I'm looking for! SurfSaver imbeds itself right into Internet Explorer. You simply click a little icon to save the web page into a designated folder. You can index and describe the page to make it easier to find at a later date and time. The settings are customizable, allowing you to optionally save graphics and to determine the depth of links you want saved on each web page. As I've been using the software the possibilities for expanding the initial intended use have gotten me to thinking. I can save online reviews, archive old versions of websites, capture hardcopies of sites copying content, and easily organize new resources for research projects. I've also decided that SurfSaver is perfect for students doing research, who have difficulty keeping track of bibliographical sources! Great software for getting organized, saving time and increase productivity!!! |
| 10/27/2004 10:01 AM |
| Fear of Corporate Blogging |
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Very interesting piece about corporate blogging, by Charlene Li from Forrester. The piece discusses corporate fear, and why businesses are leary to jump on the blogging band wagon. Have a look - "I've been watching the blogging phenomenon for a while, but to experience it personally – and to see the impact it can quickly have – is still astounding. So, yes, there are a lot of barriers companies need to overcome, but I also see some pretty big benefits. " |
| 10/26/2004 9:00 AM |
| Not All Business Owners Keep Slavish Hours |
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A study shows that the average small-business owner works 52 hours a week. But behind the averages is another story. For most entrepreneurs, owning a small business means working longer hours than everybody else. The average small-business owner works 52 hours a week, according to a 2000 study by New York marketing firm Willard & Shullman. Meanwhile, May figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that the average American production employee puts in 34.2 hours. Behind the averages is another story. Seventeen percent of the business owners in the Willard & Shullman study reported working fewer than 39 hours a week. That's close to the employees' average, and some entrepreneurs say they work quite a lot fewer than 39 hours. |
| 10/25/2004 9:00 AM |
| Inc. Has a Blog |
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Even the well known business magazine has begun publishing a business blog. Of course they incorporate the standard disclaimer - "the opinions of individual Fresh Inc. contributors don't necessarily reflect the editorial position of Inc. magazine as a whole."
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| 10/22/2004 9:00 AM |
| RSS Resource |
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RSS Specifications - a comprehensive rss reference detailing everything you need to know about RSS. RSS is an acronym for Really Simple Syndication and Rich Site Summary. RSS is an XML-based format for content distribution. Webmasters create an RSS file containing headlines and descriptions of specific information. While the majority of RSS feeds currently contain news headlines or breaking information the long term uses of RSS are broad. RSS files are formed as XML files and are designed to provide content summaries of news, blogs, forums or website content. more RSS |
| 10/20/2004 9:00 AM |
| Forum Postings and Forum Directories |
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We've recently expanded the listing of Forums in the Small Business Forum directory. If you are looking at being involved in an online business community, forums are a great place to start. Be sure that you adhere to the TOS or forum terms of service. Only post appropriate content and follow any link and signature restrictions set forth by forum moderators. Sometimes it is a good idea to watch a forum for a few days before posting. This will give you a sense of the forum decorum. ;-)
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| 10/18/2004 9:00 AM |
| It is All About Content Syndication |
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Its All About Content Syndication - New websites are being launched daily. In order to compete, webmasters need to find alternative ways of producing themed websites. Highly focused articles are often sought by wembasters. Why? Because content on the web is still king! In order to attract search engines and site visitors, webmasters rely heavily on providing new, innovative and fresh content.
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| 10/16/2004 9:10 AM |
| Web Design Tips |
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There is a really fabulous post in the Shareware Promotions blog about website design and how its so important to portray a professional image. You only have the first few seconds to grab the interest of the visitor. Take a look at the Web Site Design tips. |
| 10/15/2004 9:00 AM |
| Software Piracy |
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The study, released earlier this week by the BSA, confirms that almost one in four businesses (23 percent) runs software without licenses in the workplace. Yet, paradoxically, 89 percent of the 1500 professionals polled agree that illegal software is "a risk no business can afford to take." Why do the do it? What are the industry implications? How can software companies safeguard against piracy... |
| 10/14/2004 9:00 AM |
| Google Print |
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Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Since a lot of the world's information isn't yet online, we're helping to get it there. Google Print puts the content of books where you can find it most easily; right in Google search results. To use Google Print, just search on Google as you normally would. For example, do a search on a subject such as "Books about Ecuador Trekking," or search on a title like "Romeo and Juliet." Whenever a book contains content that matches your search terms, Google will show links to that book in your search results. Click on the book title and you'll see the page that contains your search terms, as well as other information about the book. You can also search for other topics within the book. Click "Buy this Book" and you'll go straight to a bookstore selling the book online. Right now Google is just beta testing this program, so you may not see books in your results for every search. But you can expect to see more and more books popping up in your search results in the coming months |
| 10/13/2004 9:00 AM |
| Search Engines Strategies |
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Search Engine Strategies Conference & Expo -- The Premier Event for Search Engine Marketing & Optimization After our recent hugely successful show in San Jose, Search Engine Strategies Conference & Expo is making its way to Chicago. Make plans to attend December 13-16 at McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, Chicago! Register by November 30th and save $100 - for more information call (203) 662-2857 or visit http://www.jupiterevents.com/sew/fall04/index.html "Search" is the hottest topic in marketing. Period. Millions of Internet users turn to search engines each day. Are they finding you? Search Engine Strategies ensures they will. Organized by recognized search authority Danny Sullivan, only Search Engine Strategies Conference & Expo gives you the actionable information you need to grow your business through search engine marketing. At this intensive four-day event, you'll learn the ins-and-outs of search engine marketing from top experts in the field and from the search engines themselves. Search Engine Strategies also provides a unique setting to network with fellow marketers and search engine industry professionals and discuss the trends in search engine marketing. |
| 10/12/2004 9:00 AM |
| Blogging for Dollars |
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Blogging for dollars might sound like the latest game show or some new drinking game, but it's the latest craze to hit the Internet. Bloggers began blogging for a number of reasons, but as the blog movement has increased in popularity, they have found ways to monetize their blogs and are seeing their commitment pay off. Find out how to Blog for Dollars |
| 10/11/2004 10:27 AM |
| Top Trends in Design |
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There is a fascinating article detailing advertisement trends. Its really an interesting look of what appeals to customers, and trends that have taken hold in the world of online advertising. The general fundamentals still hold, using imagery to convey feelings. Really interesting how the business world uses techniques and technology to encourage customers to part with cash. |
| 10/9/2004 10:03 AM |
| Business Wire Services |
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Market Wire provides comprehensive distribution of corporate press releases and media advisories directly to leading newspapers, broadcast outlets, newswires, consumer and trade publications, analyst terminal systems, Web sites and online databases around the globe. Find out what companies from the Fortune 500 to emerging start-ups already know: quality distribution, world-class client service and affordable pricing make Market Wire an unbeatable value. Business Wire - Business Wire disseminates full-text news announcements from thousands of companies and organizations worldwide (our members) to news media, financial markets, disclosure systems, investors, information web sites, databases and other audiences. With more than four decades of experience and leadership, Business Wire is a trusted source for journalists, investors, regulatory agencies, and communications professionals. In fact, Business Wire enables companies to fulfill the disclosure requirements in many countries, including the US, UK, Canada, France and Germany as well as reach financial audiences around the globe. PrimeZone - PrimeZone Media Network is a press release newswire and multimedia service with one of the world's most extensive distribution networks. Canada Newswire - Canada NewsWire resource for time-critical news and information from more than 10,000 sources coast to coast and around the world. Public companies, associations, unions, not-for-profits, municipal, provincial and federal governments all rely on CNW’s unique multi-media communication services and networks to effectively send their messages to newsrooms, the financial community and the public. US Newswire - News release wire service for public interest news sources, providing unparalleled distribution of news to print, broadcast and online media worldwide since 1986. |
| 10/8/2004 9:00 AM |
| Privacy Policy |
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Does your Web Site collect information? Does your Web Site post a privacy policy? If not, post one today. Consumers are looking at Web Sites to determine how well business protects consumer privacy. The first thing they look for is a prominently posted and clearly written privacy policy. If you need help drafting your organization's privacy policy, use these free online privacy policy generators. These Web-based tools will walk you through step-by-step the key elements that need to be in your privacy policy and will produce one based on your responses. |
| 10/7/2004 8:15 AM |
| EPIC - Electronic Privacy Information |
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EPIC is a public interest research center in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1994 to focus public attention on emerging civil liberties issues and to protect privacy, the First Amendment, and constitutional values. EPIC publishes an award-winning e-mail and online newsletter on civil liberties in the information age – the EPIC Alert. They post information about privacy policies and businesses. Very interesting! |
| 10/6/2004 9:50 AM |
| Cluster Search Engine |
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Vivisimo has just launched a beta cluster search engine, Clusty. Clusty automatically organizes search or database query results into meaningful hierarchical folders completely on-the-fly, out-of-the-box. It cleanly interfaces with any search engine or document database, transforming long lists of search results into categorized information without any clumsy pre-processing of the source documents. |
| 10/5/2004 10:43 AM |
| Search Engine Updates |
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Overture also added some new budgeting features that are supposedly designed to help you control your monthly spending. Based on the amount of money you specify as your daily budget, you'll have the option of spreading the appearance of your displayed listings throughout the day. The idea is to help you maintain a constant traffic flow as opposed to using up all your clicks early in the day. On September 14th, Yahoo announced their intent to a acquire Musicmatch, Inc., a provider of music software and services. Purchase price – 160 million dollars! While this may not be an issue to most online businesses in regards to search engine positioning, it does signal that Yahoo is intent on diversifying their online presence into competitive retail channels. On September 23rd, LookSmart announced their acquisition of Furl.net. Furl's flagship product allows users to Save a permanent copy of articles, pages and receipts – all with a single click – and then search and share that data through email, RSS, or via your own site. |
| 10/4/2004 9:00 AM |
| Internet Communication Methods |
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How do we keep Internet communication simple? Let's start by taking a look at the different methods used to communicate on the web. It is important to understand the nuances and benefits of the different forms. Internet communication is intrinsically tied to the hardware options available. Wireless technology has accelerated the development of messaging software, opening the market to a dizzying array of devices for web access. Where we were once tied to a keyboard and mouse, we will soon be navigating the web with our voices from a moving automobile, or browsing via screens in our eyewear, with tiny cameras reading our eye movements to move the cursor and make selections. Our interactive conversations will include more and more participants at once. Evaluating the many options and choosing what works best for you is the first step to effectively communicating on the web. Article on Internet Communication |
| 10/1/2004 9:00 AM |
| Website as a Sales Tool |
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I recently attended a conference related to online marketing. There was a fabulous presentation about using websites as a sales tool. The presentation touched a number of obvious items, but also delved into the thinking of the visitors and the small things that can be done to capture their interest. The Website as Sales Tool power point can be viewed online.
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| 9/30/2004 9:08 AM |
| Why Incorporate? |
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Small businesses can run into troubles with ownership and liabilities if they don't incorporate their businesses. Lock down your business now. Incorporating your small business is a big decision. Protection of personal assets is the main reason why most small business owners decide to incorporate, but there are also other compelling incentives. If you hope to expand your business or garner venture financing, for instance, incorporating your business can help. And finally, incorporating can often ease the strain at tax time. more on US Incorporations |
| 9/29/2004 9:12 AM |
| RSS Feeds & RSS Specifications |
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RSS Specifications - a comprehensive rss reference detailing everything you need to know about RSS. RSS is an acronym for Really Simple Syndication and Rich Site Summary. RSS is an XML-based format for content distribution. Webmasters create an RSS file containing headlines and descriptions of specific information. While the majority of RSS feeds currently contain news headlines or breaking information the long term uses of RSS are broad. RSS files are formed as XML files and are designed to provide content summaries of news, blogs, forums or website content. |
| 9/28/2004 6:23 AM |
| Understanding Affiliate Programs |
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Affiliate programs are commonly misunderstood, in order to understand affiliate programs lets start with terminology. For clarification purposes, an affiliate is defined as any "referrer" or website that promotes a product in an effort to earn revenue. A merchant is defined as someone who owns a product and is sharing revenues with an affiliate based on the affiliate's performance. Affiliate programs can drive targeted traffic to your website.
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| 9/27/2004 9:17 AM |
| SEO Glossary |
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SEO Glossary - Ever wondered what acronyms such as SEO, SEM or SEP stood for? Or what the difference between pay for inclusion and pay per click is? Well look no further, we have compiled an A-Z glossary of terms commonly used on SEO and internet marketing forums. Free SEO tools to help with your online SEO efforts.
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