Author: Sharon

I.T. Professional specializing in Web Design & Digital Marketing.
Hiring Outside of your Business

Hire Outside of Your Company for Business Success

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Guest post by Lindsey Weiss of Outbounding.com

Finding the right people can be complicated. But outsourcing all or part of your digital marketing and sales needs can accelerate your business growth. Below are some helpful tips on hiring workers outside of your company.

Do You Need a Full-Time Employee?

An employee’s salary, benefits, and payroll taxes are all costs. But don’t forget the expenses associated with hiring and firing, which can include advertising, interviewing, background checks, reference checks, and training.

Do You Need a Generalist or a Specialist?

Generalists do a little bit of everything. Specialists have a particular area of expertise. For example, the people who run the company’s website might be web designers, while the salespeople focus on sales.

Do You Have Enough Work to Justify Hiring Full-Time?

If you’re hiring a full-time employee, you need to ensure they have steady work. If you aren’t generating enough sales to justify it, a part-time employee or freelancer might be a more cost-effective option. You can search for freelancers in different ways, including using LinkedIn, posting on freelance sites like Fiverr, and soliciting applicants through social media.

Can You Use Off-the-Shelf Services?

Off-the-shelf software refers to products or software that can be purchased from a store or online site. These programs work out of the box rather than as a program customized to meet your needs, which is usually much more expensive. Software might help with organizing, categorizing, and tagging content, for example.

Your Budget

If your budget is tight, you’ll need to make sure any new hires are worth the money. For example, does this person have experience selling the type of product your company makes? Or are they just good at selling in general?

The Culture and Processes

There’s a lot of overlap between sales and digital marketing, but the two roles have very different sales functions and processes. Do you have the processes in place to make sure the sales and marketing professional is getting the job done? Or do you need to develop these processes?

Results and Communication

The best sales and marketing professionals don’t just meet expectations—they exceed them. Look for people who have excellent communication skills. They should be able to explain your business and its offerings in a way that’s easy to understand.

If you’re working with remote team members, prioritize effective communication. Tools like Slack and Zoom can improve collaboration, and if you need to send large PDF files, you can compress a PDF online with online compression tools. This will make it easier to email unwieldy files while preserving the integrity of the documents.

Web Design and Digital Marketing Agency

Hiring a firm like Chickadee Web Design that offers website design and digital marketing services may be one of the best things you do for your business. You don’t have to learn to do it yourself, and you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on equipment or go through the hassle of hiring. Most have monthly service packages for various types of digital marketing. The industry you’re in will determine what package suits you best, whether it be SEO or Google Ads.

You can also experiment with your own digital marketing. Online tools are available to design a Facebook ad quickly and easily. This can be a cost-effective way to try out various strategies without spending a significant amount of your marketing budget.

Incorporating Your Business

Incorporating has several advantages, such as keeping business assets separate from personal assets. A corporation also makes it easier to take on investors as you can sell shares in your company.

The Key to Success

When it comes to business, who you know is every bit as important as what you know. This is why finding the right workers for your business is the key to success.

Image via Pexels

cyber criminals

Protecting Your Business from Cyber Criminals

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Guest post by Lindsey Weiss of Outbounding.com

According to Cybercrime Magazine, cyber criminals could wreak havoc on the U.S. economy to the tune of more than $10 trillion by 2025. When it comes to cyber security, all businesses need to have adequate protections in place, but it’s especially important for aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners who manage proprietary and/or financial information. Not only is protecting your company critical, protecting your data and the private information of your clients and customers is vital to successful and responsible operations.

This article, and others like it, can be found in the blog of Chickadee Web Design.

Types of Threats

Cyber security breaches can result in a number of outcomes, ranging from minor inconvenience in the form of temporary shutdowns, all the way to full-scale ransomware infiltration that threatens to delete and/or steal critical or valuable information. There may be spoofing and phishing scams in which criminals attempt to steal information, viruses that can damage your operational systems, and there’s even the potential of internal threats in the form of employee theft. This is one reason why it’s wise to continually back up your data and have outside support, though if your business grows, it may be worth having an IT or cyber security professional on staff.

Preventative Measures

Prevention is the best strategy when it comes to avoiding the potential for cyber attacks. According to Forbes, understanding risks is key, as are regular security audits. In addition to having protective software in place and regularly backing up your data, it’s well worth the investment to utilize a cyber security professional to test your system and look for any weaknesses that need to be addressed. Not only can a cyber security pro ensure you are well protected, but they can also help train your staff on best practices around protection from hackers. This might include utilizing a regularly changing password protection process, and having protocols in place for how data and customer information is handled, stored, and monitored.

Outcomes of Attacks

If your system gets hacked, there are a number of negative outcomes. In addition to slowing or even shutting down your operations, if your data or financial information from your customers is stolen, it could result in a cascade of everything from identity theft to loss of intellectual property and even financial resources. According to Secure Link, it can also result in diminishing your reputation or standing in your field, which can make it difficult to attract customers, collaborate, or even expand your business in the future. Preparedness paired with a plan of post-hack action can position you for faster recovery.

You’ve Been Hacked. Now What?

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation operates a cyber security unit that you can contact if you’re the victim of a cybercrime. Your rebound plan should also include a data recovery strategy that identifies which applications you need to recover first. Cyber threat action should be part of your overall corporate crisis planning strategy that identifies individuals that need to be involved in recovery efforts, communication, and rebound. In addition to assistance from the FBI, you may be able to utilize the cyber security pros that installed your system to aid in this clean-up effort.

Recovering from cybercrime includes being transparent with your customers, communicating what you’re doing to resolve the situation, as well as outlining how you will ensure there is no repeat of the circumstances that led to the attack in the first place. Cybercriminals are continually evolving their methodologies, which means you have to stay on constant alert to protect your systems.

Chickadee Web Design offers a wide range of digital marketing specialties including website creation and maintenance, blog and SEO content development, social media management, and remote customer service support. Visit the site to learn more or reach out via phone or email for a consultation.

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Senior Entrepreneur

5 Tips for Marketing Your Business as a Senior Entrepreneur

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Guest post by Lindsey Weiss of Outbounding.com

Image courtesy of Pexels

Successfully marketing your business as a senior entrepreneur may seem difficult. Luckily, by using the right strategy, you can see substantial gains in relatively little time. If you’re ready to capture new business, here are some marketing tips. Start by exploring Chickadee Web Design’s service offerings to see how they can help your bottom line.

1. Try Coupon Discounts

When you want to generate more business, coupons can be the way to go. They are usually easier to implement than a sale on your website, mainly because you don’t have to alter your pricing on the product page.

Plus, you can distribute them methodically. By creating several coupon codes and using each one on different marketing campaigns, you can track the effectiveness of your advertising. Codes that see higher use than others indicate that those ads garnered more attention, and you can use that information to adjust your ongoing strategy.

2. Create a Referral Program

If you aren’t using referral marketing techniques, now is the time to start. When a referral comes from a person they know, 84 percent of consumers trust the recommendation. As a result, they are far more likely to go forward with a sale.

Usually, you want your referral program to be simple and rewarding. Make sure that customers can refer someone with just a few clicks, such as by using a straightforward online form. Additionally, consider offering them a discount on a future purchase for participating. That way, you’ll get a referral as well as encourage repeat business.

3. Have a Top-Notch Website

If it’s been a while since you’ve updated your website, now may be the time to revamp it. Site design trends and customer expectations change. If your website doesn’t measure up, is confusing to use, or requires too many clicks to complete a purchase, at least some of your shoppers will abandon their carts before finalizing their purchase.

Creating a top-notch website isn’t as hard as it may seem. As you make changes, keep UX design best practices in mind. That way, you ensure the customer remains your top priority.

4. Don’t Ignore Social Media

When it comes to boosting brand awareness, it’s hard to beat social media. By creating an Instagram account for your company, you can connect with prospective customers with ease. Plus, you can highlight products, engage with consumers, and showcase what makes your business special, generating new sales along the way.

With Adobe’s Instagram post generator app, you can create intriguing Instagram posts in minutes. Start with a template. Then, add text, adjust the phone, upload images, and alter the design until it’s perfect. You’ll have a great post quickly, allowing you to keep up with your social media marketing efforts easily.

5. Launch a Cross-Promotion

Cross-promotion campaigns can be excellent options for small businesses of all kinds. Not only are they low-cost, but they also help strengthen your network, increasing your access to ongoing support.

If you want to launch a cross-promotion, begin by exploring other small businesses in your area. Look for companies with similar customer bases as a starting point, filtering out any of them that function as direct competitors.

Next, reach out and see if they would be interested in partnering up for a promotion. If they agree, you can take a look at different cross-promotion techniques together, choosing one that best meets your joint needs.

Along the way, keep in mind that there is nothing to say that several businesses can’t come together for a larger cross-promotion event. In some cases, adding more companies is actually ideal. If there are any costs associated with the broader promotion, you may be able to split them, making the approach more affordable for everyone involved.

cash flow issues

Solve Small Business Cash Flow Issues With These Simple Tips

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Guest post by Lindsey Weiss of Outbounding.com

Image courtesy of Pexels

Cash flow issues are common for small business owners around the world, but that doesn’t make them any easier to deal with. Not only is it frustrating to try and keep up with vendors when money is tight, but it’s nearly impossible to handle unexpected costs when your budget is at its limit. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to keep your finances in check, including looking for new opportunities to grow your business. An easy way to find new customers and partner with other small businesses is to join the local Chamber of Commerce, which has resources for business owners. Here are a few more tips for keeping a healthy cash flow.

Ready to establish a unique presence on the web and gain access to potential customers? Partner with Chickadee Web Design for effective digital marketing strategies.

Pay attention to your payroll

If you have employees, you need to make sure you understand payroll and how it can affect your business. For instance, if you fail to meet a tax deadline, you could face heavy penalties. For some business owners, keeping track of payroll can be a tricky affair. This is where a turnkey payroll offering like QuickBooks can come into play. This software can help you generate any necessary reports you need to monitor how your money is being spent. It will also track employee time and automatically calculate wages and taxes to ensure accuracy. When you have your payroll under control, you can prevent any issues from disrupting your cash flow.

Have a reserve

A common cash flow issue that many small businesses face is not having enough padding in reserve for emergencies or setbacks. Even if your business is thriving, you should always have enough money in savings to keep things afloat in the event of something unforeseen. Many business owners found this out the hard way when the effects of the pandemic hit, and while there are some government funds available to help business owners, it’s best not to rely solely on those since they can take time to access. Review your budget and business forecast to see how much you might expect to spend over a few months, and use that amount as a guideline for how much you should set aside.

Reduce your overhead

Renting office or storage space, traveling, and buying supplies are a few of the most common overhead costs for small businesses. Even if you’ve planned for these in your budget forecast, you might find yourself paying more than you’d like. However, these costs can be lowered or eliminated if you know where to start. Look for deals on supplies when you buy in bulk, and utilize free or low-cost software for keeping transactions and projects organized. Keep travel to a minimum, and cut down on utility costs by turning off computers, lights, and air/heat when they aren’t in use. Not only do these efforts help you save money, they also help your business become more eco-friendly.

Get your files in shape

Whether you like to keep physical, paper copies of invoices and other important paperwork or have a digital system, it’s imperative to ensure that your files are organized and easy to find. Not only will this prevent issues with clients, but it will also allow you to stay on top of unpaid invoices and keep supplier relations running smoothly. Create a system for purging old files regularly, and train your employees on how to keep things neat and orderly. When everyone has the same information, a business is much easier to run. It’s also a good idea to keep cybersecurity in mind, so make sure your software is up-to-date and that your passwords are changed often.

web-based solutions

How to Incorporate Essential Web-Based Solutions to Grow Your Business

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Guest post by Chelsea Lamb of businesspop.net

The web has transformed how we live life and work. It not only has made available many services to streamline business operations and help companies grow, but it has opened doors for customers to enjoy a faster and more convenient shopping experience.

The problem is that if a small business doesn’t embrace some of the advantages offered by the web, it can be difficult for them to survive—much less thrive—in the modern marketplace. If you’ve decided it’s time to step up your tech game, here are a few tips for how to integrate web-based solutions into your operations:

Call on a Web Designer

By now you’ve probably realized the importance of having a good website for your company. To keep your website as engaging as possible and to reach your target audience, consider hiring a web designer like Chickadee Web Design who can create the primary design elements of your site, such as the style of the layout, typography, colors, and navigation buttons, while also keeping your site up-to-date and appealing to your audience.

Use an Appointment Management System

If your business is appointment-based, you know that your bottom line depends almost entirely on customer experience. Investing in an appointment management system can take your operations to the next level. This kind of system allows your customers to easily book appointments online, and it facilitates a variety of payment options. Also, the right system will come with no-show protection and automated reminders of appointments through text or email. If you get a good appointment management system, you can expect your overall reservations to increase.

Use Chatbots

Chatbots are being used by companies of all kinds to facilitate customer service. If you’ve ever visited a website to be met with a pop-up window of someone asking how they can help you, you’ve seen a chatbot. This form of A.I. is useful because it can provide your customers or potential customers with intelligent answers to their questions, significantly reducing the amount of time you or your staff have to spend on customer service. Plus, customers are even using chatbots to purchase items now, which saves time and money for everyone involved.

Work on the Cloud

Finally, using the cloud to store your files, back up your data, and work remotely can make your business operations much more efficient. It can save you a lot of money as well, since you don’t have to purchase as much hardware to do daily tasks.

The cloud provides a place for you to store information and files (e.g., video, audio, text) on the web so that you don’t have to fill your hard drive up. Also, it automatically updates and saves work as you’re working, and creates an off-site copy of all your work. Furthermore, you can access and manage your work from anywhere when using the cloud. Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Apple iCloud are some popular cloud services available today. If you need to add cloud storage solutions to your business’s website, Amazon Web Services (AWS) freelancers can help, and you can find these web professionals (and many others) on online job boards.

Using the web for your day-to-day business operations can do wonders for your growth. Be sure to look into web designers to enhance your website, and invest in an appointment management system if it can help. Consider chatbots to streamline your customer service, and use the cloud for a variety of work tasks. The sooner you embrace web-based solutions, the sooner your company can start thriving.

Photo Credit: Pexels