We ran across this nice little gem today - a basic free web site hosting service available at http://www.tripod.lycos.com/compare/index.tmpl
With any free service, there are some limitations. In this case, a site is limited in disk space on the hosting server, bandwidth, the number of traffic reports, and the site will have its own advertising to pay for the cost of hosting. For experimentation or to showcase a basic web site, Tripod's offering may be appropriate and desirable.
Check it out - the link is above and looking is free too!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Increase Site Traffic for FREE
How does a site get free publicity? Last night I gained several suggestions by attending a local seminar given by a small business guru
Here are those tips:
1) Fresh and lots of content. Write an article, blog, or post frequently. Search engines rank sites based on new content, relevancy, and site traffic. Traffic will increase, site gets higher rankings, and traffic increases more.
2) Register on a site like " ehow.com " and link the article to your site.
3) Cross link with area companies in similar industries. If you make metal widgets, cross-link with a site that makes plastic widgets or parts components that work with your widget.
4) Publicity. Spread the word. Use Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or any other free social networking tools.
The Internet is a great way to get noticed and to sell your product or service. Get writing and linking!
Here are those tips:
1) Fresh and lots of content. Write an article, blog, or post frequently. Search engines rank sites based on new content, relevancy, and site traffic. Traffic will increase, site gets higher rankings, and traffic increases more.
2) Register on a site like " ehow.com " and link the article to your site.
3) Cross link with area companies in similar industries. If you make metal widgets, cross-link with a site that makes plastic widgets or parts components that work with your widget.
4) Publicity. Spread the word. Use Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or any other free social networking tools.
The Internet is a great way to get noticed and to sell your product or service. Get writing and linking!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Free blog posting sites
It is increasingly easy to post a blog online for free. Several sites provide this service and bloggers can often earn money via advertising and referrals just by posting an opinion or idea.
Here are a few common and popular web links to FREE blog sites:
www.wordpress.com
www.blogger.com
www.blog.com
www.mashable.com
Some of these sites have restrictions on content - no porn or defamation - but open to any other blogs.
These services are a wonderful way to get noticed in cyber space and state your personal opinion. If one has expertise in a certain area, blogging is a great method for passing along that knowledge. If you want to drive readership, post often and with relevant content.
Words of caution though: Any thoughts you place on the Internet can be searched by employers or authorities and be used against you. Be smart and careful when blogging. Also, blogs are not the best way to sell a product if that is your goal. A better and more controlled way is via a web site and virtual storefront. More on inexpensive web hosting in a future post.
Happy blogging!
Here are a few common and popular web links to FREE blog sites:
www.wordpress.com
www.blogger.com
www.blog.com
www.mashable.com
Some of these sites have restrictions on content - no porn or defamation - but open to any other blogs.
These services are a wonderful way to get noticed in cyber space and state your personal opinion. If one has expertise in a certain area, blogging is a great method for passing along that knowledge. If you want to drive readership, post often and with relevant content.
Words of caution though: Any thoughts you place on the Internet can be searched by employers or authorities and be used against you. Be smart and careful when blogging. Also, blogs are not the best way to sell a product if that is your goal. A better and more controlled way is via a web site and virtual storefront. More on inexpensive web hosting in a future post.
Happy blogging!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Free Office Software with Open Office
Have a computer? Have Microsoft (MS) office or considering buying it? The full office suite is expensive but there are good alternatives.
Have you heard or considered 'open source' software? This software, based on the Linux operating system, has many applications that mirror or duplicate ones available for Microsoft's Windows system.
Most notable of these is Open Office, available for FREE at http://www.openoffice.org . At this site, the product can be downloaded, one can join the open source community, and assistance is available. All of these services are FREE.
Once downloaded and installed, the word processing and spreadsheet applications are very similar to MS Word and Excel respectively, and can even save files or open files that have a .doc or .xls extension. The user interface is very similar to MS products, stable, and easy to navigate. Open Office also has database and presentation software (aka Access, PowerPoint) and is available in many languages.
For the start up company that wants to save big $$ on software licensing without losing the key functionality, Open Office is an excellent and attractive alternative.
Have you heard or considered 'open source' software? This software, based on the Linux operating system, has many applications that mirror or duplicate ones available for Microsoft's Windows system.
Most notable of these is Open Office, available for FREE at http://www.openoffice.org . At this site, the product can be downloaded, one can join the open source community, and assistance is available. All of these services are FREE.
Once downloaded and installed, the word processing and spreadsheet applications are very similar to MS Word and Excel respectively, and can even save files or open files that have a .doc or .xls extension. The user interface is very similar to MS products, stable, and easy to navigate. Open Office also has database and presentation software (aka Access, PowerPoint) and is available in many languages.
For the start up company that wants to save big $$ on software licensing without losing the key functionality, Open Office is an excellent and attractive alternative.
Starting a business presentation in Arlington Hts, IL
I just received notice that Jeff Williams, a veteran and well-respected business start up guru, is giving a free workshop/presentation in the Chicago suburbs on Wednesday, October 28th. Details below.
Jeff is an outstanding speaker and has been coaching would-be entrepreneurs for 25 years. He is well worth the time invested.
Starting Your Own Business
Wednesday October 28, 2009
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: St. James School Basement
Street: 820 N. Arlington Heights Road
City State Zip: Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Phone: pcasey@arlingtonresources.com
Notes:
Speaker: Jeff Williams, BizStarters
Old School Basement: Enter Door A5 of the building located on the east side of Arlington Heights Road
Jeff is an outstanding speaker and has been coaching would-be entrepreneurs for 25 years. He is well worth the time invested.
Starting Your Own Business
Wednesday October 28, 2009
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: St. James School Basement
Street: 820 N. Arlington Heights Road
City State Zip: Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Phone: pcasey@arlingtonresources.com
Notes:
Speaker: Jeff Williams, BizStarters
Old School Basement: Enter Door A5 of the building located on the east side of Arlington Heights Road
Monday, October 26, 2009
Free Business Cards and More!
Vistaprint offers free business cards, pens, rubber stamps, logo design and more!
http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/vp/welcome.aspx?xnav=welcomeback&rd=2
One caveat with these free items - Vistaprint's logo will be on the back of the business cards and probably on the pens and such. But, who looks at the back of a business card anyway? And pens? Look in any kitchen drawer and you'll see a collection of pens from everywhere. This is business equipment you would need anyway - may as well get it free for starters.
I've known several people that have used Vistaprint cards without complaint. And at bizonabudget, we don't ever complain about free!
http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/vp/welcome.aspx?xnav=welcomeback&rd=2
One caveat with these free items - Vistaprint's logo will be on the back of the business cards and probably on the pens and such. But, who looks at the back of a business card anyway? And pens? Look in any kitchen drawer and you'll see a collection of pens from everywhere. This is business equipment you would need anyway - may as well get it free for starters.
I've known several people that have used Vistaprint cards without complaint. And at bizonabudget, we don't ever complain about free!
Welcome to bizonabudget
Welcome to the bizonabudget blog.
This blog is a sister site of thesmallbizpro blog. We have a Twitter account - @bizonabudget and whatever else we can get for free!
Free (or low-cost) is the word of the day for this blog. Every topic we blog about will be dedicated starting and running a business as cheaply as possible. You, our guests, will be key to this endeavor. Suggestions for free or low-cost hard and soft goods from all are needed.
Comments are welcome. Let's make starting up and running a business as inexpensive as possible.
Thanks!
This blog is a sister site of thesmallbizpro blog. We have a Twitter account - @bizonabudget and whatever else we can get for free!
Free (or low-cost) is the word of the day for this blog. Every topic we blog about will be dedicated starting and running a business as cheaply as possible. You, our guests, will be key to this endeavor. Suggestions for free or low-cost hard and soft goods from all are needed.
Comments are welcome. Let's make starting up and running a business as inexpensive as possible.
Thanks!
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