April 1, 2008  

A BUSINESS NEWSLETTER from SCORE: the SBA's resource partner.
Also at e-news on the web. Click on gold box below for mentoring info.

ASK SCORE

DON'T MAKE THESE WEB ERRORS!

Internet, or e-commerce, sales by small businesses are increasing rapidly and could double, triple or more during the next five years. Web sites are no longer a novelty; they are a necessity for small firms, solo operators and home businesses of almost any type.

Meanwhile, customers have become vastly more Internet savvy than they were just a few years ago.  They feel more comfortable buying online and they expect Web sites to be clear, crisp, informative and highly functional. Small businesses that don’t deliver higher levels of Web sophistication risk being left behind.

Less is more

A good starting point is avoiding errors that often doom Web sites to mediocrity. It’s not a matter of making your site complicated. Today, the “less is more” axiom applies and often spells the difference between a Web site that delivers for your small business, and one that doesn’t.

Learn how to keep it changing

Don’t neglect your site. If you want the Internet to help build your business, make your Web site a top priority in your daily operations. If your products, services, prices, location, hours, contact information and marketing messages change, make the updates immediately. Outdated information frustrates customers. Place your contact information in a prominent location. Many potential customers visit Web sites merely for basic contact details.

Keep it simple

Flashing images, scrolling text and blinking buttons may have seemed clever and high-tech when first introduced, but now they are simply annoying. Dump them in favor of graphics that enhance your site usability. Avoid the temptation of cute bells and whistles. Make a fast-loading site a top priority.

Track activity and learn

And set up a system for tracking your site activity. Don’t be in the dark about what’s happening on your site. Simple and inexpensive Web analytic tools can point to areas that need improvement. Two top sources for Web analysis tools are WebTrends.com and SiteCatalyst.com. Visit the sites and check out the free trial offers.

A local perspective:

It is most important, if you choose to use the internet, to embrace it not fear it or "farm it out." You should personally learn how to review your site's details and to do some of the things that can make-or-break your Internet business. Things like understanding 'metatags' (simple labels embedded in your site that describe you and help Google find you), posting (how simple it can be to upload new pages), how words can be bad, knowing a good web designer from a bad one, etc. If it is not explained well to you, you may have the wrong teacher.

GET FREE HELP and ideas for better Internet performance.

• LOCALLY - In the greater Cedar Rapids Area.
  Contact SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business." It is free and we help as long as you feel it necessary. Call 319-362-6405 ext 2005 or apply for ONLINE Counseling at www.scorecr.org .
  
  
• NATIONALLY, you may contact: www.score.org or call 1-800/634-0245

GREAT READING : http://www.score.org/readingroom.html

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Brought to you by the Cedar Rapids chapter of SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business," a nonprofit association and resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. SCORE is dedicated to entrepreneurship and the formation, growth and success of small businesses nationwide. Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 7.5 million entrepreneurs.

Copyright 2007. SCORE Chapter 227. All rights reserved.

SCORE® Ch. 227 c/o SBA, 2750 First Avenue NE, Ste. 350,
 Cedar Rapids IA 52402-4831
(319) 362-6405 Ext. 2005

Office hours:  10-12 and 1-3  --NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED