Just how can technology help you run your small business? That’s what we explore in this section. We cover
plenty of ground, from the basics of managing your computer to expert advice on Internet marketing.
Whatever your level of technological expertise, you’re sure to learn something new here.
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An effective website is vital for every small business. If your website isn’t performing, or you don’t have one, speak to the team at The Web Showroom. They are Australia’s leader in small business websites.
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Here’s a great, free resource available for subscribers to Flying Solo. If you’ve ever wondered if you could be doing more with your website, this truly is a must-read.
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Speed of communication is king and sitting firmly in the court of this new kingdom is email – the information revolution that has made it simpler and faster for businesses to communicate…most of the time.
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With thousands of hoax websites on the internet, it’s important that your website gains the trust of your clients. Here are tips on how you can use your website copy to create a trustworthy website.
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In the coming months, we will be upgrading our home computer. Sounds simple, until I asked my partner what functionality he wanted in the new upgrade. Decision making can be difficult when there is too much choice!
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Your website's homepage is Increasingly the first impression of your business, and this piece of prime real estate can make or break your cred. So what can you do to keep your visitors reading?
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We all appreciate how a website’s design can help or hinder its effectiveness. Is your site guilty of one or more of these common web design no-nos?
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In a recent forum discussing the value of websites, someone remarked how a number of professions e.g. tradespeople, say that websites are of no benefit to them. Between ads in the local paper and being busy anyway, they do not need or want a website.
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Sam Leader's article on mobile vs email and Megan Tough's article looking at the contemporary rules around using mobile phones got me thinking about another modern day bugbear of mine – the incorrect use of business emails.
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Following on from my article 20 Money Saving Tips, I wanted to share free software or 'freeware' I have tried and tested. Freeware is offered by software firms on a trial basis, in the hope that you will upgrade to their subscription based product.
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Many business owners haven't delved into the world of online commerce as a user and so have unrealistic expectations about what a website will contribute to their business. If you want an effective website, the following internet tips may help you.
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I am always using the web to look for information and opportunities on all sorts of things. As a result I’ve become adept at making a quick assessment of whether a site’s engaging or enraging. Do you have an effective website?
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To run a successful business, you must ensure your costs are under control. The costs of business technology is no different. Even trying just one or two of the money saving tips below could translate into immediate savings for your bottom line.
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Remember the monstrous mobiles we used to carry around in the late 80’s? Today’s mobile phone is a far cry from those days - now they’re faster, lighter, stronger and more convergent than ever before, but are you becoming a nomophobe?
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For years as a solo business owner and a communication consultant no less, I was a big, big advocate of email. A raving fan. I had no issues with email overload at all.
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Over the years, I have noticed common layout mistakes in documents, web pages and PowerPoint slides. Avoid these mistakes and you'll produce more professional documents.
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Does your website rank well in search engines? While search engine optimisation (SEO) can often be confusing and time consuming, here are some useful free SEO tools to make it easier for you to improve your search engine rankings.
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In my web browser, I have a folder called ‘business websites I like’. It contains random sites that, for one reason or another, drew me in. Looking back at the list, they have three ingredients in common that make them effective business websites.
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Part one discussed mistakes to avoid when creating a website. Part two further explored this idea looking at how to pick a web developer and the importance of compatibility and simplicity. In this final part we look at how to handle limitations.
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Ranking highly in Google can have a massive impact on your sales leads. This article explains five common Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) mistakes which limit your ability to secure a high ranking, and how to avoid them.
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My first article looked at common mistakes to avoid when creating a website. Here I explore the idea further by looking at the benefits of keeping your website simple, how to pick a web developer and the importance of compatibility.
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It’s easy to let years go by without reviewing your computer system, even though it provides critical support to your business. As your computer is probably the most indispensable part of your business, it is important to consider computer upgrades.
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A website is an important tool for soloists when it comes to communicating with existing clients and attracting new ones. In this article I will discuss four common mistakes to avoid when creating a website for your business.
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Reconciliations wreaking havoc? Transactions disappearing? BAS adjustments giving you nightmares? Here are nine tips for using Business Management Software.
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Who is shopping online, when and what for? This review of shopping trends this holiday season will help you decide whether e-commerce is the way to go for your business.
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All-in-one phone, email and internet devices have a bad reputation for taking over your life. But they can be used to your advantage, if you are willing to set the right boundaries. Here are the ways I get the most out of my gadget.
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One of the largest costs of starting and operating a small business is software. But before you rush out and purchase the standard proprietary software for each of your major functions, let’s take a look at some of the best free software.
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At the risk of suffering the wrath of website developers and online marketing consultants the world over, I’m going to go out on a limb and say “There is nothing wrong with a simple static online brochure website!”
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Adding an audio message to your website helps your site visitors gain a better understanding of your products or services. Plus audio creates a bond and rapport with your website visitor, which makes them feel more at ease with you and your offering.
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Online backup solutions are a good option for those looking to protect their business' critical information. Here's an overview of how they work.
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If you make reference to your website in your business marketing, perhaps via a Yellow Pages ad, now is the ideal time to spring clean and create a better website.
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In an earlier article on how to read your website statistics reports we looked at the terminology of website statistics or webstats. In this article, we look at how webstats can give you greater insight into how visitors are using your website.
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A survey on the Flying Solo website found that over 54% of respondents believe it is appropriate email etiquette to discuss sensitive business topics via email. I think this is a huge risk for soloists and our customers.
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As a solo business owner, you can’t walk over to the next cubicle and ask your colleague what they think of the email you just received. So how do you make sure you don’t fall for online scams?
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How many of your customers come to you as a result of your website? If the answer’s not many, perhaps it’s time to put the spotlight on your site’s content and look at the best way of writing websites.
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If you listen to music while you work and you have a broadband connection (preferably unlimited), read on. I’m sure plenty of you are way ahead of me, but this is easily the best thing I’ve found on the net in the last year or so.
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Do you know which figures are the most important on your website statistics report? Or perhaps you've never seen a website statistics report and are wondering “what are website statistics?”
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In the same way we regularly clean up our office, so, too we should tidy up our inbox. These email tips include ideas on how to use rules, folders, signatures and more to streamline your email.
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There are a large variety of makes and models of laptops (also know as notebooks) on the market today so choosing a laptop for your business can be a really daunting experience. Here are some key points that can help you make the right choice.
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The Internet has a wealth of handy online tools that can help small business owners run their business. Here are my tips on where to find software, much of it free, that will enable soloists to work smarter.
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Wireless has given us the freedom to roam without the restrictions of cables, yet many of us are unaware of the potential dangers. I'll take you through the security risks and give advice on how to create a more secure wireless network.
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By managing email better when you're out of the office, you can avoid an overcrowded inbox on your return. These seven simple tips will help.
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SPAM is slang for unsolicited emails of a commercial nature. Like all soloists, you most likely find SPAM a huge time waster and major irritant. There is a way of reducing SPAM!
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It may seem counter intuitive, but tearing yourself away from business communication tools like internet and email can actually make you more productive.
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Most of us use our computers every day. But without basic computer training behind us, we could be missing a trick or two.
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What would happen if your laptop, computer or network crashed or was stolen? Because we keep so much vital information on our PCs, it makes sense to have a computer backup system in place.
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A reliable Internet connection is standard equipment for today's soloist. If you are yet to get online, these hints on how to choose an internet service provider (ISP) will help.
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For many, Google has become an integral part of our online experience. Now with Google Desktop Search, you can harness Google's searching power on your own computer. Is this free online tool the best thing ever or an excuse for fast and loose filing?
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With 143 million downloads, Skype is the free Internet telephony service that has got everyone talking. Once you have it installed, Skype enables you to make free 'calls' from your computer. As you'll read it's well suited to us soloists.
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In the battle of the internet browsers, will heavy hitter Internet Explorer win out or can open source Mozilla Firefox come up trumps?