Small-Business-Forum.net http://www.small-business-forum.net/ en Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:49:56 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.small-business-forum.net/images/misc/rss.png Small-Business-Forum.net http://www.small-business-forum.net/ is there http://www.small-business-forum.net/website-management/3503-there.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:17:21 GMT is there anything as EASY AS STAT COUNTER out there , another tool to look at your website? it has to be easy.... thanks ann is there anything as EASY AS STAT COUNTER out there , another tool to look at your website? it has to be easy....
thanks ann ]]> Website Management greenoak http://www.small-business-forum.net/website-management/3503-there.html Quickbooks and Credit Card Processing http://www.small-business-forum.net/accounting-taxes/3502-quickbooks-credit-card-processing.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:57:54 GMT My other business is dog food delivery. We've been doing it for a year and have a pretty nice amount of customers given the amount of time I've been able to spend developing the business. The only problem is collecting money from certain customers. We always have about $3,000 in receivables. When we started, we decided to only accept payment by check so we could keep expenses down and provide free delivery.

Now, I've decided to offer payment by credit card. Since it's a repeat business, I'd like to set the customers credit card information up in Quickbooks (which is what we already use). Has anyone used Quickbooks for their credit card processing? I'm sure the rate won't be as cheap as others I can find, but I'm guessing the conveniance will be worth it. ]]> Steve B http://www.small-business-forum.net/accounting-taxes/3502-quickbooks-credit-card-processing.html interviewing potential employees http://www.small-business-forum.net/managing-your-business/3496-interviewing-potential-employees.html Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:37:42 GMT i have a list of 10 names from my local union of people who are willing to work for me on a part time basis. many of these people have been laid... i have a list of 10 names from my local union of people who are willing to work for me on a part time basis.

many of these people have been laid off for over 2 years (big red flag)

I can do a phone interview on all 10 and choose 1

what questions should i ask?

1. why have you been unable to find work in 2 years ?
2. level of experience with service, residential, commercial?
3. how old are you? do you like men or women?

help? ]]> Managing Your Business huggytree http://www.small-business-forum.net/managing-your-business/3496-interviewing-potential-employees.html uses for websites... http://www.small-business-forum.net/website-management/3493-uses-websites.html Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:33:53 GMT i just read in giftbeat...a big trade paper for retail , an interview with a featured store owner..she has 2 big stores in north ... i just read in giftbeat...a big trade paper for retail , an interview with a featured store owner..she has 2 big stores in north carolina.....she said she had tried selling on line for about a year with a little success.... and was dropping it and now her website will be all about her stores, coming to her stores whats going on with her stores..and whats on her mind at any given time....she thinks thats the right way to go and how her website can help her the most....
i was glad to read this because the retail world is swamped with sell on line advice....and i think our websites can make us so much money in ways besides selling on line...and that doesnt get covered as much....
i know my website has been a huge thing for us...
i hope to see more coverage aimed at a site like mine and hers....how to be a better billboard for our stores...i hope the experts focus on our needs a bit more...and think up some new ideas for us to use our sites to connect with our customers and be better billboard/brochure sites..
one of the best examples that i have kept in mind for a long time...was a site i got to from here a while back....it was a store selling ski stuff...and they had wonderful local ski slope info and calendar and up to date snow and weather reports on their site ....it was just a perfect go to site for their taget audience.... ]]> Website Management greenoak http://www.small-business-forum.net/website-management/3493-uses-websites.html hired a helper for cash today....didnt go well http://www.small-business-forum.net/managing-your-business/3492-hired-helper-cash-today-didnt-go-well.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 23:59:06 GMT had an ex-plumbing apprentice help me today...he ran the gas lines while i did some water pipe....he over tightened the pipe to the waterheater and... had an ex-plumbing apprentice help me today...he ran the gas lines while i did some water pipe....he over tightened the pipe to the waterheater and cracked the gas valve for the heater....$350 for the part...plus 2.5 hours locating it...almost had to tell the homeowner they would have to wait 5 days w/o hot water....or pay $750 for a new waterheater...i got lucky and found the part at 4pm tonight...

ive had this guy help me before w/ digging ditches....he was a good worker.....he did the gas line in about 3x slower than me.....he did about 1 hours work in 3.5 hours and then broke the part....not a good day

i paid him $80 also for his work...didnt know he broke it until after he left...otherwise i wouldnt have paid him

im not liking having an employee right now..

he was the guy i was considering hiring full time if i can snag a few more builders...now im leaning toward a journeyman instead again....he was an apprentice years ago, but now is a factory worker..

anyone else have a good employee story to make me feel better?
(i lost $ today) ]]> Managing Your Business huggytree http://www.small-business-forum.net/managing-your-business/3492-hired-helper-cash-today-didnt-go-well.html asking too much http://www.small-business-forum.net/traditional-marketing/3481-asking-too-much.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:40:58 GMT i always think a customer can ask anything , thats fine.. ..and then you can answer....but lately a few have been assuming waaay too... i always think a customer can ask anything , thats fine.. ..and then you can answer....but lately a few have been assuming waaay too much..and git irritated if we dont do what they thnk we do....
i had one this week.who wanted a picture of somethng...she didnt ask if we could do it...she assumed and demanded.....she had already seen the item...we dont lay away so she has to pay for us to hold it for her...but she wants a picture first....we dont really offer to send pictures .... you could call us and ask for dimensions and pictures of all 10 of our buffets....we just dont choose to do it..
..i guess i need to say no in a clearer way...they usually say something like i know you have a computer.... or do you have a camera ? then send me a picture.....
yes i have a car but im not giong to drive it somewhere for you...
if a sears guy did that much for you....15 minutes probably, it would be 30$$$ i have only one person who could do it...and shes doing something major already...with a deadline...also i hate to be bossed around and pushed into something i dont offer...even by a customer...
i just am not going to be able to sign up for everything they can want....
i want to be tactful and still say no .... ]]> Traditional Marketing greenoak http://www.small-business-forum.net/traditional-marketing/3481-asking-too-much.html Georgia Computer Repair - New Business Help http://www.small-business-forum.net/starting-your-business/3480-georgia-computer-repair-new-business-help.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:35:00 GMT I have worked in corporate America for 10 years as a software engineer and network administrator. I am leaving soon and the plan is to start a small... I have worked in corporate America for 10 years as a software engineer and network administrator. I am leaving soon and the plan is to start a small business called Georgia Computer Repair, Inc. I chose that name becuase those are very common search words in Google and I will be marketing via my website which is in the works.

Anyway, I plan on offering my services to Small Businesses and Home Offiice users. For example, for the small business I will offer network support, pc repair, microsoft server setup, email setup, website development and graphic design. I have several friends that are partnering with me to provide these services.

My question, is the company name Georgia Computer Repair, Inc. fitting for the services I am offering? I am concerned that small business owners may see that in a google search and not associate it with small business network administration or website design.

What do you guys think? ]]> Starting Your Business jtwoods4 http://www.small-business-forum.net/starting-your-business/3480-georgia-computer-repair-new-business-help.html Dollar ReDe$ign Project http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3478-dollar-rede-ign-project.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:14:22 GMT I came across an interesting site a week or so ago called the Dollar ReDe$ign Project. It's a project for anyone to redesign U.S. currency. Here's what the site says about why it exists.

Quote:
The Dollar ReDe$ign Project hopes to bring about change for everyone. We want to rebrand the US Dollar, rebuild financial confidence and revive our failing economy.
It looks like the competition ends in about a week and they have a poll set up for voting.

Most of the designs are really interesting, maybe not all appropriate for currency, but still quite interesting. Most are also very modern. I have to say I'd much rather see a few of these than I would the money we currently have, though some I could never see on our currency.

Try to hold your political views while looking at some of the designs. Since many designers went modern you'll see some recent presidents. President Obama shows up a few times, which I imagine won't be to the liking of the Republicans we have here, though you probably will like the design featuring Ronald Reagan. There's a fair amount of the usual Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and some using famous people from outside of the government.

I was just reading over some of the comments about the designs and the Obama $1 bill definitely made quite a few people unhappy as you might expect. Again I'd try to look at these designs less for any politics associated with them and more for the designs and the ideas.

The designers also share a few words about their though process behind the designs. Some are very interesting and have some good ideas in general. For example the Obama design causing controversy has bills of different sizes. I'm not sure how practical that would be, but one of the ideas was to make it easier for the blind to distinguish one bill from another. So, yeah, Obama maybe not the best choice for our money (I think we need to stick to less polarizing figures), but the idea of different size bills is an interesting one.

There are a lot of pages of designs to go through so the site can keep you busy for awhile. I think this is also something that's been going on since last year and will probably continue into next year.

Anyway enjoy. There really are some very nice designs and odds are you'll find at least one you prefer to the bills we're currently using. You'll also find a few you don't care for at all and some that will probably make you anger at the people chosen to be on the bills.

Please Read: One last thing. I don't want this thread turning into a political battle where half of us choose one party and the other half choose the other party to be represented. Try to keep the discussion in the context of the designs themselves. There's a good chance I'll delete any post that starts trying to debate politics in general here. ]]> The Water Cooler vangogh http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3478-dollar-rede-ign-project.html Hi there http://www.small-business-forum.net/introduce-yourself/3477-hi-there.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:44:50 GMT Glad to be here. My name is Susan and I'm a mom of three and I work from home. I currently work for a small business owner (web host) and I have recently started a photography business. Things are a little slow, but at least there is business! ]]> Introduce Yourself BizzySusan http://www.small-business-forum.net/introduce-yourself/3477-hi-there.html Wordpress Theme Review http://www.small-business-forum.net/website-reviews/3476-wordpress-theme-review.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:49:41 GMT Hey guys,
After a few weeks of learning about options pages, jquery, formulating ideas, etc. I've finally finished my first (advanced) WP theme.

I figured it might be a good idea to get a theme that I designed, developed, etc. actually reviewed, and see if the products I'm creating is anything good.

So any advice concerning the design, the features, the structure, or anything at all relating to the theme, whether it's good the way it is, or areas for improvement, either would be appreciated.

Oh, and the theme is called Dark Mystery. It's located here:
Dark Mystery Theme

Also, if you'd think viewing the actual code behind the theme would be helpful for optimization purposes, diagnostic issues, etc., let me know.

Thanks ]]> Website Reviews jamestl2 http://www.small-business-forum.net/website-reviews/3476-wordpress-theme-review.html a new thing http://www.small-business-forum.net/internet-marketing/3475-new-thing.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:59:30 GMT well, new for me......i learned how to shorten my facebook url today....on here YouTube - #1 - "Creating a Unique Facebook URL" - We Teach Facebook
he seems to have a big facebook site going on to educate facebook users.....its we teach facebook...
now i have anice short fb addy...

www.facebook.com/greenoakantiques ]]> Internet Marketing greenoak http://www.small-business-forum.net/internet-marketing/3475-new-thing.html antique etiquette http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3474-antique-etiquette.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:01:46 GMT if i sell you something for 1$ and its worth 100$$$...dont tell me about it.... ha ha.. .this happened to me sunday and the dang guy also ... if i sell you something for 1$ and its worth 100$$$...dont tell me about it.... ha ha..
.this happened to me sunday and the dang guy also didnt buy anything else....it was a rare fruit jar...#13...i cant know everything or look thru a pile of 100 fruit jars that just came in....im looking at it as good buzz.... as in go buy from those dummies, they dont know what they have..........oh well.. ]]> The Water Cooler greenoak http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3474-antique-etiquette.html i love the internets... http://www.small-business-forum.net/internet-marketing/3473-i-love-internets.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:56:26 GMT we are planning a fall event....and the advertizing is going to be to 1500 customers who have signed up for our emails .800 facebook fans ... we are planning a fall event....and the advertizing is going to be to 1500 customers who have signed up for our emails .800 facebook fans and maybe 50$$ in facebook ads....so sweet and incrediblery cheap...as compared to our big events with 2000$ snail mail, counting cards and stamps to 4000 customers... and 5 or600$$in newspaper ads...
we are thinking this will be a smaller event than our other 4....but worth a try for sure.... ]]> Internet Marketing greenoak http://www.small-business-forum.net/internet-marketing/3473-i-love-internets.html DBA to LLC conversion http://www.small-business-forum.net/starting-your-business/3466-dba-llc-conversion.html Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:15:57 GMT I am looking to convert my current DBA to an LLC. Does the start date of the business carry over to the LLC or does it change to the date the LLC is... I am looking to convert my current DBA to an LLC. Does the start date of the business carry over to the LLC or does it change to the date the LLC is formed.
Next, I will be starting what will be in effect a new LLC which will be working in conjunction with an established LLC brining with it, it's entire client base. The owner would be a member of my LLC and suggested a 65%- 35% split with me having the 65%. I am basically starting with nothing, he is bringing the client base and providing the initial vehicle(s). It is a Luxury Limousine Company which is going green under my LLC, which was my idea. The initial vehicles will be MB GL350 Blutech Diesels valued at 70K ea. ]]> Starting Your Business Marc http://www.small-business-forum.net/starting-your-business/3466-dba-llc-conversion.html Readability Level: Graduate School http://www.small-business-forum.net/website-reviews/3465-readability-level-graduate-school.html Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:19:29 GMT We have recently revamped our website attempting to make it a bit more user friendly, clearer in its goals and much more concise. As part of this... We have recently revamped our website attempting to make it a bit more user friendly, clearer in its goals and much more concise. As part of this revamp, we run our site through several SEO web site graders to see how it stakes up to our competition, how it is seen by search engines and, most importantly, how it is seen by our users.

To that note, one recent site scan by websitegrader.com, recommended that we dumb down our site’s content. In fact, this was it analysis and recommendation;

“Readability Level: Graduate School

This score measures the approximate level of education necessary to read and understand the web page content. In most cases, the content should be made to be simple so that a majority of the target audience can understand it.”

Not only were we shocked by this but a bit surprised as we felt our entire site was written in a “plain English” manner that all could easily understand. Further, we thought it would be extremely rude to assume that our users or any users for that matter need to be talked down to or have content dumbed down for.

Thus, it is either us that is wrong (and we think we know our user best) or the website grader.

To the note, we will ask you. Tell us what you think. Do you think our site is written at a graduate school level and should be made simpler “so that a majority of the target audience can understand it?” ]]> Website Reviews phanio http://www.small-business-forum.net/website-reviews/3465-readability-level-graduate-school.html Greetings http://www.small-business-forum.net/introduce-yourself/3450-greetings.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:17:17 GMT I am happy to have found this forum. I recently left my job as an electronics engineer for a large company to open my own online retail store. The... I am happy to have found this forum. I recently left my job as an electronics engineer for a large company to open my own online retail store. The going is slow and the learnings are great. I am hoping to gain some insights and maybe even share some of my pain along the way with others on this forum.

If you get a chance, please check out the website. It is a Christian Gift Store.

Osmun Gifts: Gifts for the Faithful. ]]> Introduce Yourself airduck http://www.small-business-forum.net/introduce-yourself/3450-greetings.html sales- why does my sell percentage go up when im busy http://www.small-business-forum.net/managing-your-business/3448-sales-why-does-my-sell-percentage-go-up-when-im-busy.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 01:30:23 GMT Ive noticed something about my sales recently and wondering if im on the right track or not. ive been very busy now for 8 weeks....absolutely... Ive noticed something about my sales recently and wondering if im on the right track or not.

ive been very busy now for 8 weeks....absolutely burried...im selling 90 percent plus of everything i bid....every phone call turns into a job...the few who are price shoppers call back in a week and choose me....its like i cant lose....i am putting less effort into the calls...im over booking myself and am at a point where i dont care if i get 1 more job or not....im sure my attitude is showing and somehow creating much better sales.

during the slow times i spend every ounce of effort to get the jobs...i go above and beyond....and my sell ratio goes down....

im not sure if ive just become a better salesman recently or people like my busy attitude i have?....maybe during slow times customers sense my desperation and choose someone else during slow times...maybe my desperation shows and turns people off....i see it as trying to have awesome customer service

time will tell if its my sales technique...it doesnt seem like im doing anything different...other than putting less effort into it...maybe less is more

anyone notice these things during slow and busy times? ]]> Managing Your Business huggytree http://www.small-business-forum.net/managing-your-business/3448-sales-why-does-my-sell-percentage-go-up-when-im-busy.html How do I set up a local server to work on http://www.small-business-forum.net/design-development/3447-how-do-i-set-up-local-server-work.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 01:06:04 GMT I know that I can set up a local server on my computer to work on. My questions, will the client be able to view those files while I am working and... I know that I can set up a local server on my computer to work on. My questions, will the client be able to view those files while I am working and if so, how do I set that up?

The other question is, is it better to do it on my computer or purchase a separate server ? ]]> eborg9 http://www.small-business-forum.net/design-development/3447-how-do-i-set-up-local-server-work.html 5 year old drummer - JonahRocksOfficial http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3442-5-year-old-drummer-jonahrocksofficial.html Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:09:23 GMT This kid is just amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3zrC-xASYM This kid is just amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3zrC-xASYM ]]> The Water Cooler Chimpie http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3442-5-year-old-drummer-jonahrocksofficial.html Ixquick Search Engine http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3441-ixquick-search-engine.html Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:37:58 GMT Anyone here use Ixquick Search Engine (http://www.ixquick.com/eng/what-makes-ixquick-special.html)? I saw it recommended on IObit. So far, I it. Anyone here use
Ixquick Search Engine?

I saw it recommended on IObit. So far, I it. ]]> The Water Cooler dynocat http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3441-ixquick-search-engine.html