Resources Articles
March 8th, 2013 :: Maria Valdez Haubrich
BizShark
Finding business contacts online can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack, but Bizshark makes it easy. BizShark is a new B2B search platform that targets small businesses by offering an affordable way to search for contacts without a bunch of complex analytics. The BizShark database has roughly 40 million business contacts and more than 14 million company listings, and is searchable by individual and company name as well as by email address. The easy-to-read contact profiles include title, department, phone number and email information. Additional features include company revenue estimates and built-in company directories by department and geographical location.
Google+
Tags: sales process, small business, small business resources, Technology
Posted in Business Development, Resources, Sales Process, sales process, Small Business, small business | No Comments »
March 7th, 2013 :: Maria Valdez Haubrich
Ontraport
So many tasks to do and so many software programs handling them all, if only there were a way to combine it all into one easy technology. Ontraport wants to be your solution by tackling the challenge with an integrated business and marketing automation platform including content management, sophisticated lead tracking, social media scheduling, marketing analyzing data, online payments, billing and more. A new interface and workflow tool is easy to navigate even for the non-technically inclined.
And if you have to leave a task in the middle, you can bookmark your progress so you can get back to the task when you’re free.
Google+
Tags: Marketing, marketing automation, sales process, small business resources, Technology
Posted in Business Development, Marketing, Resources, Sales Process, sales process, Small Business, small business, Technology | No Comments »
March 6th, 2013 :: Maria Valdez Haubrich
TheSwizzle.com
Signing up for all those newsletters seemed like a good idea at the time, but now your inbox is out of control, and important business emails are getting lost in the deluge. Sound familiar? TheSwizzle.com can help by scanning your mailbox for newsletters, deals, offers and other commercial emails. Then Swizzle lets you unsubscribe and delete unwanted emails, move them to a daily digest (a separate folder you can check later), or just leave them alone. Finally, set up a time to have your daily digest delivered to your inbox. It’s that easy and then you have a new, cleaner inbox. You can even set up a schedule to scan your email on a regular basis so it never gets out of control again.
Google+
Tags: productivity, small business resources, Technology
Posted in Resources, Small Business, small business, Technology | No Comments »
March 5th, 2013 :: Maria Valdez Haubrich
Google Hangouts
Before you plop down a lot of money for a fancy videoconferencing system, check out what Google is doing with Google Hangouts. Your clients might already be subscribed to Skype, but there’s a good chance they are familiar with Google (since 80 percent of the world uses Google as a search engine and there are over 425 million Gmail users). Google Hangouts is an easy, free videoconferencing solution for up to 10 people. You can also share files with conference participants by using Google Drive. Finally, download the Google+ mobile app to videoconference from your smartphone.
Google+
Tags: small business resources, Technology
Posted in Resources, Small Business, small business, Technology | No Comments »
March 4th, 2013 :: Maria Valdez Haubrich
Zendesk: If you’re finding yourself spending most of your time handling customer service questions, it may be time to get some help. Now there’s a way to provide good customer service without having to hire a full-time staff. For $9 per month, Zendesk offers startup businesses 12 months of customer support by Web, email, phone, Twitter, Facebook, online chat and more. And for those first 12 months your $9 per month goes to a chosen charity. After the year, the lowest level goes to $29 per month. Zendesk’s mobile app makes sure you never miss a customer’s request and support is available in 40 different languages.
Google+
Tags: Customer Service, small business resources
Posted in Customer Service, Resources, Small Business, small business | No Comments »
March 1st, 2013 :: Maria Valdez Haubrich
ZipBridge
If you’re looking for an easy conferencing solution without all the call-in numbers and passcodes usually required, check out ZipBridge. Usually conference calls involve the same set of people, so ZipBridge makes it easy to call the group all at once. Make the call spontaneously, call at a predetermined time, or send everyone a text message telling them when they need to be available. The smartphone app makes dialing easy from anywhere, so that in an urgent situation, you can connect to the people you need immediately. Prices start at $249 per year for 10 members per calling group.
Google+
Tags: small business resources, Technology
Posted in Resources, Small Business, small business, Technology | No Comments »
February 28th, 2013 :: Maria Valdez Haubrich
Geeks on Site
One of the things entrepreneurs miss the most when they start their own businesses is the convenience of on-site computer support. Many startups end up losing valuable time and money when computers crash or information is lost due to a computer error. Geeks On Site wants to be your go-to solution for all your IT problems. Geeks on Site offers online and on-site computer repair as well as help with wireless networks, data recovery, software installation, router configuration and more. On-site service is available in most states; rates vary from flat fees to hourly and block rates and monthly subscriptions.
Google+
Tags: small business resources, Technology
Posted in Resources, Small Business, small business, Technology | No Comments »
February 27th, 2013 :: Maria Valdez Haubrich
NolaPro
Getting a five-star rating from CNET is nothing to be humble about. NolaPro is a cloud-based accounting system that includes invoicing, order tracking and inventory tools. Not just for accounting, NolaPro also has extensive CRM capabilities and is customizable for your business. NolaPro can also act as an employee time clock, do your payroll and integrate with other Web apps. It’s also available in a desktop app. You can try the NolaPro tool for free for 30 days; after that, subscription rates start at $9.99 a month.
Google+
Tags: accounting, Compliance, small business, small business resources
Posted in Accounting and Taxes, Compliance, Resources, Small Business, small business, Technology | No Comments »
February 26th, 2013 :: Maria Valdez Haubrich
ParkerMap
More often than not, customers will look up a business’s website to do price comparisons, check store hours or even to get directions and figure out where to park. You can make the latter easy for them by adding the free ParkerMap app to your website. ParkerMap lets visitors know where on- and off-street parking is available near your business in real time. Visitors can also find out rates, hours and other policy information about the parking locations. Simply enter in your business’s location, choose a map size, embed your special code on your site and you’re done.
Google+
Tags: Customer Service, small business, Technology
Posted in Customer Service, Resources, Small Business, small business, Technology | No Comments »
February 25th, 2013 :: Maria Valdez Haubrich
OrderAhead
Here’s a tool that can add to your business’s bottom line and makes preorders a no-brainer. OrderAhead is a mobile app that allows consumers to place and pay for orders from their phones or computers and then pick them up at a designated time. For your customers, it saves time and makes shopping more convenient. For your business, it eliminates some of the hassle of preordering. The orders are placed and paid for through OrderAhead (which takes a 7.9 percent commission on each order). Customer orders are then faxed to your business and you receive your check from the company weekly. You still get the chance to interact face to face with your customers when they pick up their order.
Google+
Tags: apps, Customer Service, small business resources, Technology
Posted in Customer Service, Resources, Small Business, small business, Technology | No Comments »
