Dear Dan: I’m always reading about hot new Internet sites and services like Facebook, LinkedIn, PayPal and things like that. But I’m still skeptical about whether they’re worth the bother as actual business building tools. Are they?
Dear Skeptic: The proliferation of Web options has resulted in a complex set of choices for businesses, including free and paid search and directory listings that can include different levels of information. And even if customers do locate a listing for your business, will it be accurate and up-to-date? For many small businesses, just making sure listings are in place and up to date is becoming a full-time job, let along doing anything proactive.
Many local search providers will let you submit profile information to aid local searchers. Sadly, however, most small businesses are still unaware of the many opportunities that exist in placing these free or low cost listings. To gain more local visibility online:
• Make sure your business has a free profile on local business listing sites, search engines and services, and can be found on mapping services at Google and Yahoo.
• Place “pay-per-click” ads with search engines that allow small businesses to advertise just for buyers seeking local solutions.
Here are some of the other sites that small businesses are using:
• LinkedIn – Check out the site itself at www.linkedin.com; or get a head start on how to use it with Work.com how-to guides on getting the most out of LinkedIn and using LinkedIn to sell more. Just search under “LinkedIn” at the Work.com site.
• Constant Contact has made it super easy and inexpensive to send spiffy-looking customer e-mails of all types, from invitations and thank you notes to promotions, surveys and full-blown newsletters. Another site offering self-service direct marketing solutions is VerticalResponse.com.
• The widespread acceptance of PayPal as an online payment mechanism has helped fuel web sales for millions of small businesses. It’s a safe and easy way to get paid by customers anywhere around the world. Customers can shop on your site and pay on pages securely hosted by PayPal, or shop and pay directly on your Web site. You can also e-mail invoices through PayPal.
• eBay has become a key add-on sales channel for many types of businesses, and the primary route to market for others. Check out the Reseller Marketplace at eBay.com.
• Even Facebook.com – a popular social site among teens and young adults – has become an advertising medium for small businesses, with happy customers willing to be your friends. •
Daniel Kehrer can be reached at editor@business.com.
Rhode Island's Market Has Changed. Developers, Builders, Investors and Sellers Must Change With It.
By Emilio DiSpirito IV License Partner | Engel & Völkers Oceanside Leader | The DiSpirito…
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