Business Websites Can Be Inexpensive.

A website is no longer a tool only utilized by large businesses and corporations. Today, even the smaller businesses need a website in order to complete with their competitors.

The problem is, the majority of web designers today still do not think about the little man, aka: small businesses. Their prices and packages simply do not provide what small businesses need in order to gain a web presence. If the price is within the businesses reach, then the package is to small, or they use pre made websites that can be found over and over again on the Internet.

However, web design does not have to be expensive. Here are a few things to avoid when choosing your web designer.

A few common mistakes small business owners make:

1)Template Websites- Templates, sometimes called cookie cutter websites, are pre made designs and set ups of a website. Any number of other websites can use the every same template for their website. In the event that a potential customer has visited a website with a similar template to yours, then chances are they will either not take your business as serious, or reference your business with that website. Ask the potential designer if your website will be unique or made from a template before you do business with them.

2) Hourly Rate Design- Some web design companies offer "hourly rate web design." It has been found that many hourly designers will tell you something takes much longer to complete then it usually does. In this case, you will end up paying for hours of work when the work only actually took a few minutes, or they will hold your website hostage until you do. Look for set packages that list what you will get, no matter how much time it took to complete.

3) High Hosting Charges- Many new business owners and business owners not familiar with the Internet will let their web designer host their website for them. While there is nothing wrong with this, be cautious of the amount you will be paying month for their hosting. Small businesses that only require small website should not pay over $3-$7 a month for hosting. Larger businesses or businesses with large or dynamic websites should never pay over $10-$15 a month. On the other hand, you may find a design company offering free hosting as an introductory offer. If this is true, be sure to ask how much you will be paying for hosting once the offer expires.

4) Long Completion Times- Web design is a complicated process, however, a good designer can finish a website in a rather small amount of time. Be cautious of web designers that take a long time to complete each website. This may be a sign that they may have to much on their plate. If that is the case, then chances are you will not receive the proper attention and care that is needed to make a website a success. Always ask a potential designer how long it typically takes them to finish and publish a website.

Web designers all over the world focus on small business. You just need to make sure you find one. While the large design companies may have large, impressive portfolios, chances are they will not provide the support and attention you need.

Advertising Your Home Business The Inexpensive Way

Have you heard the expression: “You have to spend money to make money!”? Anyone who has ever owned a business knows that this saying is true. If you are going to create a work from home venture, you will confront this concept while you are developing your strategy for home business success. Advertising will be one of the major financial challenges that you will encounter.

Marketing is the most important investment that you will experience on the road to prosperity for your home based business. You will be devoting your time, your effort and your capital to creating a successful advertising campaign. There will be expenses because your potential customers will not find you unless you advertise. If your marketing budget is small you need to discover inexpensive methods for attracting people to your home business. Is there any way that you can advertise without getting a second mortgage on your home?

Yes! There are a variety of methods for introducing your home business to potential customers without having to spend a large amount of money. These ideas can be implemented at a small cost if you tackle them one at a time. Depending on your time and budget, pick the best one that will work for you and go with it. Be creative and see if you can come up with other ideas.

---> Business Cards

---> Bumper Stickers

---> T-Shirts

---> Free Newspaper Ads

---> Flyers

---> Word Of Mouth

1) Business Cards

Go down to your local office supply store and invest a few dollars in some blank business cards. Return home, fire up your computer, open Microsoft Paint and create your first advertising tool. Include your home business name, your website address and your contact information. Design a catchy logo for your card. Give them out to everyone you know. Encourage your friends and relatives to pass them out as well. Attach one to all of your correspondence. Be creative and consider other possibilities for circulating your business cards.

2) Bumper Stickers

Go down to your local print store and get an estimate for designing and printing bumper stickers. They are relatively inexpensive. If the cost is too high, create your own through Microsoft Paint or, if you can afford it, invest in a good software program for developing graphics and text. Include your work from home business name and website address. After you're done, find a printer who will produce your stickers at a cost you can afford (any friends or family who know someone?). When you have your bumper stickers in hand pass them out to everyone. Put the first one on your own car.

3) T-Shirts

Create a T-shirt that has your home business name and your website address. If you cannot afford to have it done, develop your own design, print it out on your computer, buy a T-shirt and iron it on. If you have the extra money, create a few for family and friends. Wear your T-shirt everywhere, particularly where you might find your target audience.

4) Free Newspaper Ads

Think about the free publications (Nickel Ads, IGA Shopper etc.) that you find at your local supermarkets, convenience stores or fast food restaurants. Get about three of these newspapers and take them home. Sit down and create an advertisement that describes your home business, gives your website address and mentions your contact information. Thumb through these periodicals and look for a section or heading about placing an ad and follow their directions.

5) Flyers

Turn on your computer and go into Microsoft Works (or your graphics and text software). Using their templates, create a flyer that has all the essential information about your work from home business. Print out as many as you need and start distributing them. Disperse them in your neighborhood, retail establishments, grocery stores, restaurants, local colleges or anywhere else that you can (legally) advertise your home based business.

6) Word Of Mouth

The most powerful (and least expensive) form of advertising is word of mouth. This idea can be better developed after you get the ball rolling for your home business but, it will be the best and cheapest way to market your work from home venture. Once your reputation is established for providing excellent customer service your buyers will spread the good news to friends and family. Provide first rate service to your clients and your free publicity will develop.

Making money online requires a commitment of time, effort and capital for your work from home venture to be successful. You will need to invest your money on advertising for your home business. If your budget is small, these ideas will help elevate your presence for a modest amount. Focus on one or two concepts that will fit into your time, expenses and comfort zone or develop other ideas. The success of your online home enterprise is directly related to the effort that you deliver and the patience that you exhibit. On a small budget, the results may take longer but they will come.

“Nothing can be done except little by little.”