Doing business online
Special Treatment
Some eBayers are less equal than others.
I’m pretty miffed at eBay.
Yet again, a firm has punished my loyalty by excluding me from special deals offered to new customers.
We’ve seen this time and time again.
My latest experience teaches the value of:
Avoiding sudden moves.
Keeping customers informed.
Ensuring your definition of ‘good’ matches theirs.
We’ll also see how ‘online [...]
Turning the Page
You’re SO welcome!
We share many stories on this blog.
It’s so nice when one has a happy ending!
Previously on Small Business Owner …
In June 2009, I described my struggle to avert the Yellow Pages juggernaut.
Seems I wasn’t alone.
We thrilled as Steve@Sensis kindly (and bravely) fielded our questions and illuminated the path to freedom.
Despite [...]
Off My Facebook
Facebook: sliced bread or spookarama?
I don’t like Facebook.
It gives me the willies.
I’m only on it because a neighbour plans a Facebook campaign to avert a skyscraper from our tiny street.
I wonder what you think of Facebook.
Best Friend
I have one Facebook friend: my wife.
Yet I’m getting invitations to reconnect with people I’ve not seen [...]
Is your website accessible?
Today we’re pleased to welcome Nicolas Steenhout to Small Business Owner. Nic is the guy behind Accessibility NZ, a web accessibility firm based in New Zealand but offering most of its services worldwide. Nic is passionate about web accessibility and has some great insights to share with you. Naomi
Having an accessible website means people with disabilities can interact [...]
Two-Speed Shuffle
How do YOU feel today?
Research released last week^ suggests our economy has stalled.
Other commentators say it’s running at two speeds.
My client portfolio is definitely doing the latter: half have gone from sluggish to flat out like two lizards drinking.
How about yours?
Economy
Mining’s up. Retail’s down. Employment is mixed and shares are all over the joint.
For [...]
Dollar Daze
The Australian dollar advances.
But are we winning?
As I write this, one Aussie dollar buys $1.0027 US dollars.
Depending who you talk to, this is great news or terrible news.
I’ve read so many reports, I’m not sure how this affects business as a whole.
Let’s break it down to see what we can learn.
Good [...]
Can You Kill a Category Killer?
This might sting a bit …
Here’s a mystery I hope we can solve.
Seth Godin says that, while we should aim high with our goals, we should stay in the realm of reality.
In other words, we shouldn’t try to out-Google Google, or out-Amazon Amazon.
So why is Cash Converters (CC) trying to out-eBay eBay?
eBaying for [...]
Be Alerted, Not Alarmed.
Speed = Armour
Knowledge = Power
Forewarned = Forearmed
My relationship with Google is troubled.
Yet I’d be remiss if I didn’t make sure you’re using Google Alerts.
They’re an extremely handy way to track what’s being said about:
You.
Your clients.
Your business.
Your products and services.
Your competitors.
Your industry.
Any other topic you [...]
Squidoo Do Do
If you have the skills of a four-year-old
you can put your business online!
If you’ve a business but no website, this is your lucky day.
Today we explore the simplest method I’ve found to get you online.
Despite its funny name, Squidoo is one of the internet’s top 500 sites*.
It’s easy, effective, fun and free.
Paint by Numbers
Squidoo [...]
Fair’s fare?
Today we welcome back Sonia Cuff, owner of a Computer Troubleshooters franchise based in sunny Queensland. Sonia is passionate about helping small business owners around the world with the right technology advice and support. Today Sonia shares an experience with customer credits. Maybe you have some insights to share. Naomi
In March of this year I [...]
