7 essentials of moving to anew web host
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When a site has outgrown its web host on all counts or when a web host does not keep its promises, moving web hosts becomes imperative. If a web host fails to provide much needed expansion requirements or technical support you need to upgrade to one that can meet your growth needs.
The first step is to ensure that you have all legal documents and contracts with you. Then make sure you have accurate and updated copies of all content, databases, scripts, and clientele lists. A back up needs to be done as a matter of routine not just when you need to move. Trouble can rear it head in the form of hardware failure or unexplained data losses.
Research the market thoroughly before deciding on a new hosting service. List your requirements and look for a host that can exceed your needs. It is not just bandwidth that you need to look at. Consider technical support, upgrading options, as well as whether the host is keeping up with new developments in the field.
It is important to run from the two web hosts simultaneously for a period until all debugging is carried out and problems are solved. Activate your new solution and upload all your pages, databases, and scripts. Use the new IP address provided by the new company and test the site.
Once things function satisfactorily you must transfer the DNS servers from your previous host to the new one. The transition may take around two weeks so it is essential to keep both sites functional during that transition period. Check mails from both sites until such time you don’t receive any communications to the old site. Once you are sure, discontinue your old hosting service.
Be sure to:
• Select a new service that is similar to your old one as far as technology is concerned. And that you are using the latest design software and that the host has the latest server versions. This will maximize site efficacy.
• Check carefully the hosting service agreement pertaining to the new host.
• Choose a dedicated environment that will offer more capacity for dealing with online customers and provide adequate bandwidth allowances.
• Check out the benefits of an annual plan against a monthly one.
• Find out if your new web hosts are reliable, honest, and competent. The people running the web hosting service must comprehend the technology thoroughly and keep abreast of new developments.
• Check forums to see if the new host you have selected has good reviews and whether there are any valid complaints.
• The host must ensure that your site is up and running 24/7 for 365 days. The pages must load instantly; to this end the web host must have state of the art computer systems. CGI routines, autoresponders, PHP, ASP, SSI scripts, credit card gateways, and so on. All systems must function smoothly.
Be a wise and informed mover.
7 Essential Ingredients For A Thriving Home Computer Repair Business
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Everyone wants to work from home these days. Who wants to commute to an office and sit in a cubicle when you can be just as productive in your own home wearing what you like without having anyone looking over your shoulder?
Whether it’s in business for yourself or over a high speed connection to the office – work at home is hot – and that’s a lot of work to be had for you as an IT entrepreneur.
But before choosing a logo for your Superfixit5000 van it’s important to get down to some fundamentals and proper planning (the logo bit does come – all in good time). Like any other business a proper plan, some research and the ticking of a few key boxes are what will get your venture off the ground and flying high. Here are just a few:
1. Know your market – home users (duh!), but seriously. Who are they? What do they do? The corporate employees will have their own remote support so you’ll be targeting the entrepreneurial types (like you) and recreational computer users.
2. Know what to expect from them – what problems will they typically encounter? What should you get up to speed on so you can diagnose and fix their issues quickly and efficiently? More often than not it will be spyware related – expect to see a lot of that.
3. Know your competition – Who is doing the same, how are they doing it, how much do they charge, what services do they provide and how do they advertise? Do they have special promotions or bundles?
4. Professionalism is everything – you need professional looking work orders, invoices, website, business cards and flyers that make people take you seriously.
5. Have a strong brand – Now it’s time for the logo! Have a consistent brand that identifies you, sticks in people’s minds and differentiates from the competition.
6. Get connected – who can help you build and grow your computer repair business? Where are the best suppliers, can you outsource and project manage the services you don’t provide yourself? Can you quickly refer people to non competing complimentary businesses to fulfil their needs and charge referral/finders fees?
7. Plan for growth – do this from the beginning. A business plan is a must and you need to be prepared to deal with having to get help when there’s too much work and budgeting to cover quiet periods. Having a growth and investment strategy is what will take your business to the next level and ensure you never have to take orders from anyone else ever again.
Home users and small businesses are in dire need of friendly capable computer professionals to see to their IT needs. To really get the most out of all the potential business you need to put on your entrepreneur cap and think in terms of opportunity – at every opportunity.
When you’re in someone’s home or office looking at their computer problems you’re more than just a fix it person. They’re going to ask you for advice on their IT strategy and will expect you to have answers. Even if they don’t ask, you are guaranteed to see disasters waiting to happen and potential improvements – so think like a consultant and don’t be afraid to make recommendations.
The success of your enterprise will hinge largely on people’s perception of you and how you run your operation. Word of mouth advertising and recommendation is your bread and butter. Go out of your way to overdeliver and meet their needs (including the ones they don’t know about) with a well thought out professional service.
To do that you need a plan and a roadmap – invest the time early to build a solidly founded home computer repair business and you’ll never have to work for anyone else again.
6 Ways To Start Your Sales Letter Right
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When writing a sales letter, it’s important to place special focus on creating an impressive and attention-grabbing start with your opening sentence or paragraph. If you don’t start it correctly, it’s highly unlikely that your readers will get past the first paragraph before deleting your email…and categorizing it as SPAM.
6 Ways to Start Your Sales Letter Right
REFERRING TO A CURRENT EVENT – If you are selling security systems, you can open your sales letter by referring to the Virginia Tech massacre and pointing out the seemingly inadequate security system of the university. From there, you can then proceed to emphasizing what using your products could to in increasing the safety of your reader and his family.
Current events stick to mind because they’re events that actually did happen in the real world and they could happen to you, too. Current events present real threats and promises – either of which you could use to emphasize the need for the products or services you’re selling through your sales letter.
USING STATISTICS – Statistics always exercise great influence on a person’s opinion because they can reflect the majority of the public’s opinion and they’re a product of careful study and research. By using statistics as an opening in your sales letter, you’re able to immediately establish credibility for your company. It not only gives them a reason to read more of your sales letter but it also convinces them to believe in you as well.
The statistics you’ll use in your sales letter must be easily understandable and can immediately convey your message. It must be directly related to your products and services. The facts and figures from these statistical reports must also have been professionally computed by experts. Be sure to provide proper credits so your readers can confirm their validity and reliability right away.
PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS – Think of the number one problem that your target market is suffering from and something that your products or services could immediately solve. Summarize it in one to two sentences and your readers are sure to be hooked.
Say you’re selling portable sewing machines. If your target market is those who sew for recreational purposes, you can start by addressing the problem of space. Sewing machines generally require you to use a certain amount of space for them, but that’s not going to be a problem with portable sewing machines. With such an item, your reader will be able to sew right in the comfort of their bedroom without having to rearrange the furniture.
ASK A QUESTION – Another great way of opening your sales letter is by asking a question. Asking a question allows you to directly and immediately address your reader and catch his attention. But the question can’t just be any question obviously. It has to be related to the topic of your sales letter, but more importantly than that, it must be a question that will make the reader wish to know more.
Say you’re selling office software and your target market is composed of home-based professionals and business owners. Your question could be something like “Is getting your numbers straight the hardest part of managing your home based business?” Math is something many people find notoriously hard but your office software could solve that particular problem.
EMPHASIZE THE BENEFIT – Items that are considered necessities would benefit with a problem-and-solution type of opening but for items considered as frivolities or those that merely satisfy wants rather than needs, they might have no problems to solve. What they do have however are benefits, and that’s what you can use when opening your sales letter.
If you are selling gourmet pet food, you could start your sales letter by stating how your food products could forge a stronger bond between you and your pet. Gourmet pet food may not be a necessity, but it can make your pet feel good and appreciated in no way that ordinary pet food could achieve.
BE DESCRIPTIVE – Lastly, you can use the power of imagery to effectively start your sales letter. This works especially well when aesthetics is a major factor of your product. Examples of such products and services are travel packages, jewelries, and clothes. While you don’t need to write an elaborate and overly long description, the words you do use should all create a stunning image that will reinforce the need to buy what you’re selling.
6 Ways To Make Money At Home
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If you are looking for ways to make money on the internet, you are one of thousands. As the internet continues to expand, so does the competition making it difficult to have success. However, despite the stiff competition, there are a number of ways you can make money at home. Here are 6 ways you can make money at home today.
1. Start a website
Starting a website is crucial if you want to make money on the internet today. There are a number of ways you can make money through your website from affiliate programs to selling your own product to online advertising. Having a website is the basis to having success through your own home.
2. Freelance jobs
Freelance jobs are becoming increasingly popular online because of the flexibility and options you have to make money on the internet. Freelance jobs allow you to make money doing something that you are already good at as oppose to learning a whole new career. There are a number of freelance jobs that are available online including freelance writing, ebook writers, graphic designing and copywriting.
3. Online advertising
As mentioned above, online advertising is a great way to make money at home. The best way to go about making money through advertising is by setting up google ads or yahoo ads. Google adsense is by far the most common, and if used properly it can be a real money maker.
4. Sell your own product
Selling your own product can potentially make you the most money, but it is the most time-consuming and most difficult way to make money on the internet. There is a great deal of research, planning, advertising and promoting that is involved with selling your own product. However, if you are motivated and determined the reward is worth the work.
5. Affiliate programs
Affiliate programs are great ways to make money online, but it is a method that should be combined with other things. While you can make a decent amount through selling other people’s stuff, it is difficult to make a decent income solely through affiliate programs.
6. Article writing
There are a couple of ways you can make money at home with article writing. The first way is to use article writing as an advertising method. By placing your website link in the resource box, you can direct people who read your article to your website. The other option is to set up an article writing business and write articles for other people’s websites. It doesn’t take much to get a business going, but the difficult part is getting the word out about your business.
There are literally hundreds of ways to make money at home, but these are some of the more common methods used today. Keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with combining a few of these methods to help make money at home quicker.
6 Steps To Starting A Real Home Business
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Here are 6 steps in the right direction to starting a home business the Correct way. I have been working online for about 6 years and I have bought or tried almost everything. After learning alot, I thought I would share some of the most important parts to getting you started in working at home.
Plan first! Write down something that gives you a focus. There are some pretty good reports spread out over the net about business planning,When starting a business it is crutical to plan. Some people write full business plans and others just make a time-line of things they want accomplished, either way having something is better than nothing.
Incorporate, it is important that you create a business-like image. I was told before that you have to portray the life you wish to lead and as a professional you must conduct yourself as such. Registering a business has many advantages with taxes, credit and more and entitles you to other things that non-business owners can-not do.You can find services and do-it-yourself kits that will help you get setup.
Your NOTHING without a DotCom! You have to have a real domain name http://www.whateverandaday.com/yournamehere is not professional. Really, does this make you want to give them money? I don’t feel moved. You must get a domain name and hosting to be even slightly considered as a real business. Domain names go for under $10 now a days and hosting can be found for under $8 a month, something that shouldn’t be to out of reach for most marketers.
Accept Credit. Credit cards rule on the internet. Most People don’t care to send in a money order anymore, its slow and can get lost in the mail, just not the best way to pay online. So you must accept credit cards if you plan on selling your own products or anything that you will deliver directly to the customers yourself. It is still a good idea to offer to accept money orders just don’t ship anything before the payment clears with your bank. Still offer the option for people to mail in payment, some people like to do business this way and you would open your sells up slightly.
Advertise. I know it sounds simple enough but you would be surprised by how many people skip this step. I guess they think having a good page is enough, but the internet is huge and you must get the word out about your site. Not just to anyone though, the key is to target you advertising to people who want what you have to offer. There are a variety of methods that one could take to advertise your new site: pay per click(google, yahoo), ezines, newsletters, search engine optimizing, and others.
Followup. Each person that comes to your site after clicking a well-targeted ad is a potential client. They might not necessarily purchase something the first time they visit. Studies have proven that it takes upto seven exposures for someone to purchase a product, and you just can’t get that if you don’t followup. You can use and low-cost autoresponder and a free giveaway to attract subscriber, then send them emails reminding them of you services.
Well, I have shared 6 secerets to starting your business off on the correct path. Please use this information to better yourself, your community and our world. Thank you for reading, pass it on.
6 Signs That A Job No Longer Works
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Sometimes getting a new job is no longer the answer. We get to the point in our lives when a job no longer satisfies us. Working for someone else doesn’t work anymore. It’s as if we’ve outgrown working for someone else. This is a challenging realization and one that almost every entrepreneur comes to admit.
We want more – but how do we know for sure? How do we even contemplate leaving the workforce? The one thing that provides our security and is like a lifeline for us? Here are 6 signs to let you know that you’re moving on – maybe not today, or tomorrow, but sometime in the future, you will be ready.
1. You have a yearning that won’t leave. In my small business seminars I have asked participants, “how many of you have had a yearning – a calling to do something different with your lives?” Almost all would raise their hands. They didn’t know what the yearning was about – just that it was there.
2. You daydream about being a business owner. You might even have told friends or family about your business ideas. Sometimes you see your idea is now a business that someone else is running.
3. You are working for the “paycheck”. This is another tell-tale sign that the money is not enough. When we get to the point that the paycheck is the main reason we are working, we are getting close to the realization that this job, and perhaps any job, is no longer the answer.
4. You don’t know what business you would start, even if you started one. This is very common and is one of the main reasons people don’t leave their job. What I suggest is that you start an “ideas” journal. Just start jotting business ideas down – you don’t have to do anything else. Once you open yourself to your ideas, they will continue to flow to you.
5. You are unfulfilled in a job – any job. It doesn’t seem to matter how good the job is, how nice your office is or how big the paycheck is. Sooner or later you get that feeling – “this isn’t it.” It’s such a disappointing moment. I know. I’ve been there. I was a “serial” employee – I went from job to job – always good at what I did, but always got to this point and then left for the next job.
6. You have a “reason” you haven’t started or even tried starting a business. We all have them – “It’s not the right time,” “I need to wait until the kids are grown.” “I need more savings”, etc., etc. There will always be reasons. Pay attention to what you are telling yourself – to your thoughts. Take a look at your beliefs – sometimes they stop us in our tracks. I started a business as a single mom and left the workforce cold turkey, after three tries at quitting my job, I must admit. That was in 1998. I’m not saying this is “the way”. What I am saying is that there is no right way – but there is a right way for you.
6 Reasons To Join The Plug-in Profit Program
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There are a number of different internet marketing programs and training courses a newbie can get into on the internet. However, there may be none greater than the plug-in profit site. It has benefited thousands of people in their internet marketing venture, and after several years is still going strong. Here are 6 reasons you too should take advantage of the numerous benefits the plug-in profit site has to offer.
1. Quick to start
If you are an internet marketing newbie, time is the most difficult aspect you will face. You are eager to become successful and are anxious to get started, and with the plug-in profit site you can do just that. Although it will still take time to build up a successful home based business, there is a 24-hour service to get you to where you want to be as soon as possible.
2. Famous 5 affiliate programs
One of the most notable features to the plug-in profit site is the 5 affiliate business programs that a new member receives for joining. The five programs that are included are Empowerism, Internet Marketing Center, Strong Future International (SFI), TrafficSwarm and Warrior Group/Host4Profit. Within 24 hours of joining the program, you are guaranteed to receive these terrific affiliate programs to help get your business going.
3. Free customizable website
Getting started on the internet can be difficult because of the duties and many responsibilities that it takes to get going. The plug-in profit site helps to get you off on the right start by giving you a customized profit site that you can work with and make your own. While you will want to change it as much as possible to fit your needs and your business, it is a great tool to get you started.
4. Internet marketing tools
There is no other program on the internet that gives a new affiliate the kind of things you will receive from plug-in profit. Along with the 5 affiliate programs and your very own customizable website, you will also receive internet marketing tools related to your business. This will assist you in customizing your website and adding features that relate to the way you want your business.
5. Residual income
In case you’re unaware, residual income is when you do something once and make multiple streams of income. With all five of the affiliate business programs offered, you can make residual income because of the affiliate downline system they offer.
6. Help from experts
Perhaps the number one benefit from the plug-in profit is the assistance you can and will receive from some of the best internet marketers around. Unlike many internet marketing programs, everyone in plug-in profit is willing to help a newbie and get them started on the right track because they all understand that they too were once in your position.
6 Common Product Sourcing Questions Answered
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If you’ve got a question about your E-Biz, someone else has probably already asked it. Matthew Hedges, customer support manager for product sourcing experts http://www.worldwidebrands.com, and author of The Online Research Guide to Picking Products That Sell, answers the six most common product sourcing questions he gets from customers looking to start an E-Biz:
1. Will suppliers care if I’m a new online retailer working from home?
Generally no. Says Hedges, “They want to get their product out to consumers as much as possible, so they’re looking to open new accounts.”
2. How can I convey to a supplier that I’m a serious professional, not a fly-by-night home business?
• Before you call or email questions to a supplier, read their web site. The answers are often right in front of you. Wasting their time with questions you could have easily found answers to yourself reflects poorly on you.
• When you contact a supplier — get to the point. Wholesale suppliers are busy people. They want to help their retailers but don’t have time to chit-chat. So get to the meat of your question as quickly as possible.
• Proofread and spell check your emails. An email full of typos, sentence fragments, and run-ons doesn’t convey professionalism.
• Be patient. Just because a supplier doesn’t respond to your questions the same day you send them is no reason to get agitated. If they think you’re going to be a demanding customer, chances are they won’t work with you.
3. I found a supplier I want to work with — what’s my first step?
Your first step is to check for an online account setup form and fill it out. Real wholesale suppliers need proof you’re a legitimate retailer to give you access to their actual wholesale pricing structure and set you up with an account. You’ll need a registered business name and tax ID to work with real wholesalers. Obtaining these documents is easy — just contact your local County Clerks Office.
4. I only want to sell popular name brand items — how do I get a supplier?
You can’t afford to limit yourself to selling only brands you recognize. Your research should predicate your product line. Many brands you’ve never heard of are very popular within certain demographics.
5. Should I be focusing on “hot sellers” like iPods, gaming consoles, designer clothes, and DVDs? Can I drop ship them?
Once everyone knows an item’s hot, the market becomes saturated. The demand is there, but the supply is too. Everyone tries to undercut everyone else, and the profit margins get really slim.
Beyond that, the manufacturers of these items set astronomical buying minimums — say $100,000 each contract term. You could mortgage your house to meet the minimum, and your wholesale prices would still be much higher than those of the big chains that get additional discounts for spending millions with suppliers.
Finding a supplier who’ll drop ship these items individually is almost impossible. It’s cost-prohibitive for them — especially in clothing where the return rates are usually high. And again, your wholesale rate for one item won’t let you compete with sellers buying in bulk.
6. There’s an item I really want to sell, but I can’t find a supplier who’ll work with me — what now?
Keep looking. If after you’ve researched, you still can’t find a supplier for that particular item, don’t give up altogether — just consider other product options. There are millions of products you can sell. Hedges advises, “You can find items that let you compete, but you have to base your product choices off your market research.”