Category: Home Business

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Business Opportunities Business Strategy Entrepreneurship Home Business Marketing Tech

Online Marketing for Small Business That Works

Elise

December 5, 2018 2:24 pm December 5, 2018

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Online marketing is no longer an area of marketing that small businesses can ignore. The results are saying that it is one of the most effective forms of marketing and…

Online marketing is no longer an area of marketing that small businesses can ignore. The results are saying that it is one of the most effective forms of marketing and small businesses must master its use or be left behind by competitors who do.

Here are two important types of online marketing that small businesses should focus on today.

Enterprise SEO

Search engine optimization or SEO is the highly regarded Approach of using specific tools and strategies to assist a company in getting its website and web pages listed high on internet search engines. Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other top search engines all use specific Algorithms for how they order the list of web pages that come up in a web search. Algorithms are constantly changing and take into account many different factors including keywords, popularity of a website, quality of the content on a website, another relevant factors.

The most sophisticated types of SEO is usually carried out by online marketing firms who specialize in the discipline. SEO can be International or localized depending upon the focus of the business. In terms of local SEO one very important area of importance is to Getting names and mentions of the website on other websites no. These are called citations and assist in the rankings of a website.

Some companies specialize in helping to build the citations in an above the board way. This is called White Label citation building. Navads is a company that specializes and white label citation building and Companies can utilize Navads citation building option to help increase search engine ranking. Navads can also ensure that information about a company is correct so that when it appears on other websites like mapping software including Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze for example, it appears accurately and provides the correct information and always leads back to the company’s website.

Social Media Marketing

If traditional Market is it looking where everyone is gone, they need to look no further than social networks. Today’s social networks track more than two billion members visit websites like Facebook, weather, and YouTube, for entertainment, news and to socialize with each other. Smart companies of all sizes need to furiously create engaging marketing campaigns on social media websites. Marketing to members of social networks is very different than traditional marketing. Instead of putting the product out front, companies must develop a relationship with the social network member, utilizing their brand.

This often means developing video content that can engage members and get them interested in the company before its products or services. Once the member feels comfortable with the brand, he or she is open to discussing products and services in creating a customer relationship with the company. This type of customer building takes more time and attention, yet with a larger market available, the energy and effort can often be worth it.

SEO and social media marketing are two of the hottest and most effective styles of marketing today. Take the time to invest in learning how to utilize each effectively and it will increase your company’s bottom line.

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Business Opportunities Business Pages Business Strategy Business Structures Entrepreneurship Home Business

Great Ways to Advertise Your Business Online

Elise

May 30, 2018 10:16 am May 30, 2018

3 min read

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The internet is the largest market in the modern world. It has not only pushed entrepreneurship to new heights but also made business so competitive. Is your business struggling? The…

The internet is the largest market in the modern world. It has not only pushed entrepreneurship to new heights but also made business so competitive. Is your business struggling? The best way to survive the current competition is to engage with online customers. It is estimated that over 80% of the Netherlands residents shop online. If you have a website, you need to think of strategies to drive traffic to your site. Here are some of the best ways to advertise and attract online customers to your business.

Social media ads

A study shows that over 90% of people living in the Netherlands have accounts in social media. People also spend a lot of time on social media. These platforms are powerful marketing tools when used correctly. These platforms now allow you to place ads that are visible to social media users. Social media ads are easy to create and post. However, make sure that you create unique and attractive ads.

Google ads

It’s every entrepreneur’s dream to make it on the first page of search engines like Google. Besides being ranked first on Google, you can now advertise your business on Google. These ads are visible when internet users are searching for products and services. However, the chances of your ad appearing in search engines depend on the Dutch AdWords you use. AdWords should include the most searched keywords such that on any related search, your Google ads will appear.

Geo-targeted advertising

While the internet provides a large market for your products or services, it may fetch little if you don’t target clients within your region. Geo-targeted advertising ensures that you reach out to potential clients within a given number of miles from your local business. This strategy is perfect to successfully compete with other local businesses.

Video advertising

There are different types of video advertising. As an entrepreneur, you can create a video to showcase your products or services. Videos work magic to boost site visitors. However, you need to post quality videos as there are other businesses creating competitive videos.

Search engine optimisation (SEO)

This is a powerful marketing strategy when running an online business. However, you need to hire a professional SEO expert to run your SEO campaign. The good thing about hiring SEO experts is that you concentrate on service delivery as the professional team works on marketing your business. SEO is a long-term strategy that can move your business to great heights within your region.

Are you starting a new business in the Netherlands? Are you introducing a new product or service in the market? You need to apply the best advertising method to create awareness. Keep up with technology by consulting a professional Dutch marketer in your region.

Image: pixabay

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Business Strategy Entrepreneurship Home Business Tech

British Government launches new cyber security export strategy

Elise

April 12, 2018 6:13 pm April 12, 2018

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The internet has created tons of opportunity for new businesses and unfortunately, that includes the business of cyber terrorism. Email hacking and data breaches through websites occur frequently, keeping the rest of the cyber space on its toes. It is a global fight and the British government recognises the need to take the fight further.

With Brexit fast approaching, the government has had to carefully consider what industries and areas of expertise are promising enough to serve as growth export markets after the country leaves the EU. The Department for International Trade (DIT) has launched a new strategy to export the UK’s cyber security market.

According to Dr Liam Fox, the new strategy will position the 800 cyber security companies in the country to protect networks across the globe and provide security for high profile international buyers, who need something more than the level of security dedicated servers can provide.

What Exactly is the Cyber Security Export Strategy?

The DIT’s new strategy focuses on three levels of support:

First, DIT will serve as a trusted advisor connecting governments, CNI and financial services providers with UK companies that can provide the security solutions they need. In order to achieve this, the DIT will use its global offices while working closely with industry leading bodies, academia, trade and commercial experts, as well as other parts of government.

The target countries include India, which is considered to have potentially large opportunities; Japan where the government could use some help building capability for cyber security, especially as the Tokyo Olympics and Rugby World Cup are underway; the Gulf where the focus will be on central banks and other areas of the financial sector, as well as national infrastructure and government; the USA, who is a key partner with wide-reaching expertise; and Singapore, who serves as the South East Asian cyber-security hub.

Secondly, six key sectors have been identified as areas expected to have the highest security budgets since they happen to be prime targets for attackers. These include the financial services sector where spending on cyber security went up to £16.09 billion in 2016. Governments spent even more, with spending reaching £27.66 billion. Next on the list is healthcare, having spent £4.06 billion. Over the next three years, these figures are expected to explode, so there can be no better time than now for DIT’s strategy. The other target markets are automotive, infrastructure, and CNI.

Thirdly, the strategy is expected to help with marketing and branding around the globe. Smaller companies would have the support they need to secure cyber security contracts and anyone would be able to access DIT offices globally.

Export controls

In the area of export controls, there are concerns about cyber security companies selling to repressive regimes and companies who hide the end user. There are also concerns regarding how cyber security products can be potentially abused. The DIT’s export strategy document indicates the body’s intent to ensure that licensing decisions are timely, well-informed, and rigorous.

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Accounting Entrepreneurship Home Business Human Resources Recruitment

The Best Websites For Finding an Accountant for Your Business

Elise

July 8, 2017 2:18 pm July 8, 2017

4 min read

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Starting a business can be an incredibly overwhelming process. As well as doing the work that you love to do, you’ll have to account for a myriad of factors that…

Starting a business can be an incredibly overwhelming process. As well as doing the work that you love to do, you’ll have to account for a myriad of factors that you might never have thought about before; things like taking care of all of your marketing needs, ensuring that you’re following all of the necessary legal protocols, and managing your finances can seem like intensely complex tasks.

Fortunately, there are ways to outsource all of this work. Today, we’ll take a look at some of the websites you can use to find an accountant for your business. Starting with…

Upwork

Upwork (formerly known as Odesk) is owned by the same people who own Elance. As someone who has worked for clients on the site numerous times over the years, I can vouch for its functionality and infrastructure.

Not only are you able to customize the application process for Accountants who want to apply for your job, but you can also ask for examples/certificates to prove that they have the necessary skills and qualifications, while the site’s in-built feedback system allows you to vet candidates according to how their past clients have rated them following the completion (or termination!) of their contracts.

Upwork is also the world’s largest freelancer marketplace, generating three million jobs annually worth a total of over $1 billion. The site has its own dedicated category for accountants and accountancy jobs; however, you will need to pay Upwork in order to advertise your positions there.

Reddit’s /r/forhire Subreddit

Another forum that I have personally used to find a lot of my work is the less formal /r/forhire message board on Reddit.

For those of you who don’t know, Reddit is essentially a massive discussion forum where users can create their own small areas to discuss specific topics. Because there are so many people visiting the site in general (more than 113 million people go there each month, as of April 2017), the dedicated board for posting and find work is actually an incredibly useful resource for both clients and contractors.

While you won’t be able to scour your prospective accountant’s feedback (because, there’s a good chance they won’t have any at all), there are some real benefits to this method: you can set your own terms, you won’t have to factor in a cut to Reddit when calculating costs, and you open your job up to the possibility of being easily shared (which Upwork, unfortunately, does not allow us to do right now, especially with friends who aren’t registered on the site).

PeoplePerHour

I can’t vouch for how easy PeoplePerHour makes the experience of hiring a good freelancer, but it is fast becoming one of the most popular sites for doing so.

Based in the UK, they have been running since 2007 and they do have physical offices in Britain as well. They offer access to thousands of freelance experts across hundreds of fields, and based in countries around the globe.

In 2012, they were named as one of Europe’s 100 Hottest Startups by Wired UK; since then, they’ve established a foothold as one of (if not the) biggest freelancing marketplaces in Europe. Well worth a look, but make sure to check out some of the site’s reviews on Google before you go ahead with investing your time and money into the site!

Hiring an accountant for your business – especially if they’re going to be freelance – can be intimidating at first. However, these sites will allow you to advertise according to your own level of comfort, while still being able to set your own terms for your jobs. Keep checking back for more great posts like this, especially if you’re just starting a small business.

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Accounting Entrepreneurship Home Business Tech

Keeping Track of Your Small Business Finances Using Online Tools

Elise

July 8, 2017 1:57 pm July 8, 2017

3 min read

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Starting a small business is, of course, an incredibly overwhelming experience. There are always factors that you haven’t accounted for, and trying to keep a good overview on everything that’s…

Starting a small business is, of course, an incredibly overwhelming experience. There are always factors that you haven’t accounted for, and trying to keep a good overview on everything that’s going on can sometimes feel completely impossible.

Nevertheless, tracking your finances can be a much easier burden to manage than you may originally have thought. Using the tools we’ll be sharing with you today, you can start to keep a closer eye on your finances without needing to become the kind of number-crunching accountant you always thought you needed!

Wave

Since it first hit the market back in 2010, Wave has grown in popularity exponentially; in fact, over two million people have used it to handle their account, payroll, and invoicing requirements.

To make things even easier, the app has its own receipt scanner, meaning that you don’t need to use a bulky desktop alternative just to track the costs of the lunch you treated your latest client to!

One of the most useful features the app has is its ‘Find an Accountant’ option; should you run into any serious financial trouble or concern, you can find someone to help you sort things out without even needing to leave the app!

Wave is free, and we definitely recommend it for anyone who needs to track invoices and accounts, whether you’re a freelancer, business owner, or an accountant yourself.

Due.com

While Wave is an incredibly useful app, Due.com does have a significantly prettier design on its side. The invoices it allows you to generate wouldn’t look out of place next to those produced by an actual accountant, and the unique colour-coding system allows you to keep an eye on the progress of your affairs at a quick glance.

If you have less than five clients per month, Due is free. Otherwise, pricing options start at just $3 and this will open up some seriously useful features, including unlimited invoicing, recurring payments, and paypal integration.

You Need a Budget

We recently wrote about You Need a Budget (YNAB) in another article where we were discussing useful apps for tracking personal finances; but would you believe it, it’s also a great tool for small business owners to use to track finances.

Much like its behaviour with personal accounts, YNAB helps you to make informed decisions based on actual calculations. This means that you’re not spending money that you expect to have at a later time, only the funds that are already in your account.

You can use it to automatically pencil in payments, split transactions, and schedule upcoming bills.

And even better – if YNAB appeals to you and you find it works well for your needs – there’s no need to subscribe to a monthly or even annual plan. Instead, you’ll be given a free trial upon signup and, once it expires, you can by an unlimited license for $60.

So there you have it; a selection of our favourite tools to use when managing your small business’ finances. Keep checking back for more great articles like this in future, as we’re just getting started!

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Entrepreneurship Forex Home Business Investing Personal Finance Tech

Investing in Apps for Future Profits

Elise

July 8, 2017 1:34 pm July 8, 2017

3 min read

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Thanks to the app ecosystem growing in such a significant fashion, there’s now a booming market of mobile apps designed to help you make money. Whether you’re a seasoned FOREX…

Thanks to the app ecosystem growing in such a significant fashion, there’s now a booming market of mobile apps designed to help you make money. Whether you’re a seasoned FOREX trader or a rookie, everyone can do with a little extra cash in their pocket at the end of the year.

That’s why, today, we’re going to show you how you can invest in apps and start making a small nest egg for yourself. By signing up with any of these services, you can get to work on your portfolio and start seeing some serious gains; you won’t be like Gordon Gecko (though that’s a good thing, right?) but you will have a little change to throw around.

Acorns

Acorns is a pretty ingenious idea for an app. Basically, it’s an iOS and Android app (which you can download for free) that helps you turn your spare change into returns that are actually significant – over a long-term basis, of course.

So how does this work? Well, first, you download the app and sign up to their service. Link your account to whichever bank card you’d like to use, and then forget about it. Whenever you use that card to pay for items in the real world, Acorns will deduct it from the next highest dollar value (which is a fancy way to say that it rounds the price up to the next dollar).

The difference is then invested into your portfolio, and Acorns allows you to decide how risky you’d like your trades to be. The lowest risk will, of course, offer the steadiest returns, but at a rate some of you might find boring. The higher risk, on the other hand, may pleasantly surprise you one day – but don’t say we didn’t warn you if you end up broke!

Betterment

For those of you who’d like a more traditional type of experience, Betterment is somewhat like having your own personal stock trader, except its behaviour is completely controlled by a series of algorithms.

You’ll create your own account, and then pledge an investment of anywhere between 0.15 to 0.35 percent of your annual salary. By specifying the kind of returns you’d like to see (whether that be to build wealth or create a nest egg), Betterment will start to make the kind of investments that are suited to your goals and hopefully get you there.

Openfolio

Openfolio is a great idea for an app which isn’t directly related to making trades, but will definitely be of use to anyone concerned with keeping a comprehensive overview of their financial affairs.

Essentially, you can connect the app to every aspect of your financial life. In fact, Openfolio proudly boasts compatibility with over 100 banks, meaning that you can keep an eye of your cash flow and assets while also being presented with some very easy-on-the-eye analytics to help you understand how all of them are working together.

Likewise, it can provide advice on how you can make your cash work better for you without needing to actually do any work. This one is highly recommended by us!

For more great posts about trading, remember to keep checking back. It’s obviously a notoriously intricate thing to get involved with, but these apps can help you start to build a better future for yourself with a minimum of time invested.

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