Alta Vista Business Services Blog

As an Internet professional, I wear many hats. I design sites that meet the needs of small businesses. Those needs comprise many functions and finding the right solution for each need is a daunting task. Recently, two clients required eCommerce solutions. Caviat? Affordable eCommerce solutions! That cuts down the options quite a bit. After working for large corporations for 10 years, I learned about budget constraints, but there are no budgets smaller than those of small business owners.

I did my best to fit customer needs into current open source applications—within their budgets. But, design and development time really ads up. The dilemma? Finding quality open source solutions that give options for professional looking and functioning stores without breaking their budgets and putting me in the poorhouse. Let’s just say, this is no easy task!

While struggling through an open source solution, that required seventeen (literally-- no kidding) backend code changes just to update to the latest version, I’d had enough. In my reluctant search for something better, I happened to stumble upon a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution called Goodbarry. I gave it a glance and thought it couldn’t possibly allow me the design complexity I required as seasoned Web designer. But I signed up for the 30 day trial anyway.

Shortly thereafter, through their email communications, I discovered that GoodBarry, aka Business Catalyst, was purchased by Adobe AND they were offering partnerships to Web designers who want usable, modular systems for clients' sites. This really piqued my interest. You see, I am a (‘scuse the cliché) dyed in the wool Adobe fan. There is no better way to put it. I have been using Adobe products since I was a production artist baby – and I am quite loyal. Not loyal typically, but to Adobe I am. Without Adobe products, I would be hard-pressed to do my job. For that reason, I took a closer look.

For about two months, me and my business partner—unfoolable, detail oriented, skeptic, and spouse, John—pored over the Business Catalyst offering. Yep, they had cool stuff to offer. It could be the wake-up call for my programming nightmares.

During this time, I had a wonderful client I’d been trying to provide an OS solution for eCommerce. But because of my current OS-venture faux pas, I was losing money. I couldn’t afford to hire a programmer now. Was I stuck? We decided to bite the proverbial bullet. I partnered with Business Catalyst and called my client. I explained the issue and said I believe I found a solution that would allow her to do all the things she wanted on her online shop: manage it herself, upload and manage her products, keep a customer database, integrate with Quickbooks, conduct secure online business, and expand it as needed with a blog and an integrated newsletter. To my delight, she agreed to give it a try.

Cut to now, I launched her site on BC and I found that the product has more than delivered. I went through extensive training to implement the online tools they offer and am now competently selling and delivering exceptional Web sites for small businesses. I’m a proud Business Catalyst partner! When a client requires more than they can really afford, I can now say with pride “I can do that!” And then, I do!

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Marketing is probably the most complex subject for any entrepreneur. If you use the many hats metaphor, we business owners wear many throughout our work-week. But the marketing hat has to be the one that converts from a rain-hat to a designer hat and still to a winter hat. There is so much planning and so many tasks, that I often feel overwhelmed. So, when the invitation to attend the WIW Marketing Inspirations workshop landed in my Facebook wall, I jumped on it.

In addition to building my marketing skills, I was thrilled about the chance to hob-knob with local business owners and other women entrepreneurs and meet local gurus like Link Moser, and Allen and Lani Voivod, Catherine Blake, and others. 

The information shared during the Women Inspiring Women Marketing Inspirations Workshop, covered subjects like “How to put sizzle into your brand”, how to leverage the power of the press in your business, to the big buzz-word of the day-- Social Marketing, and still Search Engine Optimizations (SEO) tactics for your business Web site. 

Everyone goes into a workshop with varying degrees of understanding of the material, but I was really surprised at how much I learned in every area—even areas where I would consider myself highly knowledgeable. For example, I use the top four social media platforms presented, but I didn’t know some of the tools available to make them work even harder for me. 

It was especially enjoyable to experience the other attendees’ exclamations of revelation, or sometimes confusion with the information presented. Most of the attendees were women, and at an event with mostly women you experience so much more than in a mixed group. Women connect and have fun when learning together. We drop our inhibitions about questions, which really raises the level of experience for everyone. 

I must say, I learned so much about all these subjects and truly enjoyed the personality of each presenter. It was a full-on, 10 hour day, but I was completely drawn in the entire time. It wasn’t until I sat behind the wheel did I realize how exhausted I was. 

Women Inspiring Women event Marketing Inspirations was held at SERESC in Concord, NH, Friday, November 13th, 2009.

Or maybe I should say “Wake up Internet Professionals!”

When I started my business last year with very little start-up money, my first main focus became "What can I do to get my name out there for little or no cost?"

I would search the Internet for information, just like anyone would and found lots of opportunities if I pay money, but not much for free or almost free. One day I was conducting a "local search" for a nearby restaurant and it suddenly occurred to me, that my business should probably be listed on Google. I didn't think it was, since I have a home office. But just for grins I looked. Of course it wasn't there. BUT, I noticed a small link: Can't find what you're looking for? * Add a place to the map.

So I did. I was a little nervous about it since, who am I to change things on Google? But Google actually allowed me to do it. Creating my own listing on Google was easier than setting up phone service through the phone company! Google simply required that I verify my business location and information.

One thing leads to another. So, I say to myself, if I can do it on Google, can I do it on Yahoo? I soon discovered, Yes, I can! Similar process: Search..., not found, okay  login to (or create) account, then create listing, wait for verification letter, logon and verify with pin. Voila!

It is clear that many small businesses have not taken advantage of this free marketing opportunity. Much of the info among the many business listings is incorrect. Some owners may not be aware that their listing is not even there! I'm talking established, local restaurants, here. Search engines use spiders or bots to crawl the Web to get information for their databases. So, it is likely that some of the information is incomplete. We, as business owners, have every opportunity to rectify this, but it can be time consuming. So on to my next point.

Later, on one of my favorite sites, websitemagazine.com, I discovered an article posted that was all about taking advantage of free listings on search engines. They were highlighting a resource called getlisted.org which allows you to locate or create, and claim your business listings for four major search engines, all from one dashboard. That allows you to go back later and check on the progress of those listings, add or change information as needed, and best of all, take advantage of the great tools the search engines offer that let you add value to your listing. But I don't want to get ahead of myself, there will be more on that in part 3...

So for now, go ahead and logon to getlisted.org and see if you can find any listings for your business (or your Uncle Joe's pizzeria-- ya never know!). Go ahead. Why not? it's FREE!

Did you know that according to Internet World Stats 220 million Americans now use the Internet? If people aren't already in the area, chances are they are planning their vacation by using the Internet. By looking for lodging, activities, and restaurants, and specifying a particular area where they plan to visit, they are actually performing a localized search.

One very important way to promote your visitor services is to make sure your online business listing shows up in those important localized searches like Google maps or Yahoo Local. For starters, perform your own search to see if your business appears in a localized search result.

Simply go online and use a search engine such as Google or Yahoo to emulate a search that a potential tourist might perform in order to find your business. Use words that fit your product/service such as 'lodging', 'restaurants', 'entertainment', (whatever your business provides) and put in your zip code, region, or town to create a localized result.

The result should include a display map with a list of businesses that fit that criteria. If your business appears, then that is good news! But there is more. Business owners have the opportunity to enhance that listing by providing more detailed information, such as business hours, and list correct phone numbers. In order to do this, you must first, register your business with each of the local search engines. Then follow up by changing or adding more information. Once registered, you can click on 'edit this listing' and follow the prompts to change or add information. You can add a link to your Website, provide coupons, and most importantly, make sure your listing is complete and accurate.

These are simple techniques. However, you may not have the time or staff available to perform these functions. We can help! Our very affordable services can help you get better localized listings with details. We specialize in helping local, small businesses get noticed on the Internet. Let us at Alta Vista Business Services (www.altavistabizservices.com)  show you how we can make Your small business BIG on the Internet. Give us a call! 603-630-1623 or e-mail us at business@altavistabizservices.com