Business Information for Entrepreneurs by an Entrepreneur

Today, the URL you choose for your business website is more important than any other detail. It's more important than your business phone number or address. In this day where technology and the internet drive commerce, it might even be more important than the name of your business. Choosing a powerful URL for your business can position it for cyber-success, generate revenue, and help you keep customers coming back again and again. Follow these important guidelines when determining your URL.

1. Size Matters

Contrary to popular opinion, size does matter, especially when it comes to choosing a URL for your business. The most effective URLs are short and sweet. Not only is a short URL easy to remember, it also reduces the likelihood of a user making errors when they are typing it. A short and simple URL is also easy for users to share with friends and family from memory.

2. Give a Clue

Your URL should indicate in some way what your business is about, whether you are selling products or offering services online. The casual internet user will be drawn to a URL that indicates just what kind of things you are selling or offering. Remember that the name of your business may or may not suffice to give a clue to potential customers.

3. Make it Memorable

The best URLs are catchy and memorable. They might include words that rhyme or cute phrases that a customer is likely to remember. You can definitely employ elements of humor to make your URL more memorable, even if the name of your business is ordinary.

4. Make it SEO-Friendly

Do some research and see if you can include a popular SEO keyword as part of your URL. This will position it higher in lists that are generated by search engines.

5. Avoid Extra Punctuation

Whenever possible, avoid including additional punctuation - such as hyphens - in your URL. Punctuation is very easy to forget.

Keep all five of these tips in mind as you explore options for a URL. Choosing a URL is one of the most important business decisions you will ever make, so take your time and have fun with it!

Are you deep in contemplation over whether you should become a franchisee or start your own business? Both of these options have select benefits. In the long run, weighing the pros and cons of each can help you make the best decision to fit your skill set and lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of Franchising

Franchising has many positive features that can make running a business a smooth and simple process. These features include:

• Buying Power - You can save a lot of money with a franchise because a network for supplies will already be in place. Typically, it is cheaper to buy from this network than going it alone.

• Training and Support - The franchise owner will train you on how to run your business, plus provide technical and emotional support if situations become difficult.

• Instant Branding and Marketing - A franchise already has an existing customer base, name recognition, marketing campaigns and branding. The franchisee has little to do with developing or implementing marketing/branding campaigns.

The biggest downfall to franchising is that it can leave you feeling restricted and controlled. A franchise is very much like a long-term lease. You can't just decide to stop doing it one day; there is a certain level of commitment and dedication required to carry out your responsibilities.

Pros and Cons of Going Independent

Independent business ownership also has many positive features. These features include:

• No Extra Fees - As an independent business owner, you will not have to pay annual franchise fees. This means you get to keep every cent you earn.

• Something New Every Day - An independent business is always changing, and there will be opportunities for growth around every corner.

• Creativity & Flexibility - You can develop custom procedures, services, marketing and branding to meet the specific needs of your community.

The biggest downfall to independent business ownership is that it forces you to assume so much responsibility. You must have the right combination of knowledge and skills to make it work, as well as a dedication to working long hours.

Weigh Your Options

In a nutshell, a franchise offers security to inexperienced or unskilled individuals who want to try their hand at running a business. If you are a true entrepreneur, chances are that you possess knowledge, skills and creativity that would be suppressed in a franchise situation. Weigh your existing skill set against the safety net provided by a franchise to see if your strengths outweigh the costs and restrictions associated with franchising.

Small businesses create 80% of all new jobs nationwide. They are integral contributors to all industries, and that is why small business will also play an important role in the push toward economic recovery. You can position your small business for the economic recovery that is sure to follow the ongoing recession. Use these three tips to stay one step ahead of your competitors and move one step closer to economic recovery.

1. Keep an Eye on Congress

The United States government understands the magnitude of the economic recession, and they are not sitting idly by. Legislation is in process that is geared toward stimulating economic recovery and small businesses may benefit directly from new initiatives and programs. Keep a watchful eye on Congress and look for new opportunities and legislation that relates to small businesses. The successful small business will be the one that is poised to take advantage of government-initiated economic recovery programs.

2. Use the Resources of the Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is dedicated to lending a helping hand to struggling businesses in these tough economic times. If your small business is in financial trouble, or even if it is on the brink of financial woe, then the SBA has the knowledge and resources to help. This may come in the form of financial advice or even a short-term small loan to help you make ends meet. No matter what you need, the SBA can point you in the right direction. Visit www.sba.gov for specific resources for your small business.

3. Network with Other Small Business Owners

If your business is struggling, then chances are the others in your community are facing similar problems. In order to position your business for the economic recovery, you can network with other small business owners to save time and money in the interim. For example, if you and another business owner can both use the services of a bookkeeper part-time, you can keep that bookkeeper employed full-time by dividing their time between two businesses.

Following a recession is always a recovery. The key to positioning your small business for economic recovery is diligence, perseverance and creativity. These three tips can help maximize your efforts to stay afloat in the present so that you can support your customers and employees in the future.