Nov 3, 2009 Posted by Judith

Do You Underestimate E-mail Etiquette?

From what I see on a daily basis, way too many online for commercial gain do. I’ve championed the topic of e-mail etiquette for over 15 years with six sites and four books that cover this important topic. Both from an every day perspective with my site NetManners.com and from a purely business point of view with BusinessEmailEtiquette.com. My involvement started when working with PhD’s,... read more

Apr 23, 2009 Posted by Judith

Extreme Customer Service

Generic customer service won’t cut it online. What is generic customer service? Answering inquiries when you get around to it — if at all. Shipping at your convenience. Not paying attention to details. Not ensuring customers have the resources and info available to them to make doing business with you easier. Communicating as though you didn’t make it out of the sixth grade. By... read more

Apr 14, 2009 Posted by Judith

Do You Have Passion & Knowledge?

I get asked all the time for my ideas or suggestions on how to make money online. For over a decade I’ve responded to that question with a question. What are you passionate and knowledgeable about? There are those marketers online that want to lead you to believe that all you need is a “solution” or their “system” to get rich quick and quit your day job. No knowledge... read more

Feb 26, 2009 Posted by Judith

Optimize Schmoptimize!

“In order that all men may be taught to speak truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it.” - Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English Author, Lexicographer With all the talk in regard to SEO (Search Engine Optimization) one could come to the assumption that all you have to do is optimize your pages and Shazam! your site is in the Top 10 and the orders/contacts/conversions will... read more

Feb 10, 2009 Posted by Judith

How to Succeed at Online Business

Having worked with 100′s of businesses across the country with the creation, growth, nurturing of their site, if you removed the “technology” aspects that makes all of their heads swim, the one issue that always seems to be missing in one form or another is the fact that having a Web site is having a business. A real business – if you want to succeed. All too often entrepreneurs... read more

Jan 29, 2009 Posted by Judith

Brand Me, Baby!

What is branding? The official definition: To mark with or as if with a hot iron. To mark to show ownership. To provide with or publicize using a brand name. To impress firmly; fix ineradicably: “Imagery of the war has branded itself into the national consciousness.” How does this apply to your Web site or online business? By being aware of and working to brand your business, you... read more

Jan 22, 2009 Posted by Judith

Include All Your Contact Info!

It is surprising how many sites I run into that do not note their address. Today when looking for a product online, I had a choice of two companies — one had all their contact information and address — the other only had an e-mail address. I chose to do business with the company that had all this info on their site. I feel more comfortable doing business with companies that provide all the... read more

Jan 19, 2009 Posted by Judith

E-mail Explicitness

ex·plic·it –adjective fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated; leaving nothing merely implied; unequivocal: explicit instructions; explicit language. clearly developed or formulated: explicit knowledge; explicit belief. definite and unreserved in expression; outspoken: He was quite explicit as to what he expected us to do for him. Now that we are clear on the above, apply this to your... read more

Jan 12, 2009 Posted by Judith

Where is the Online Success Easy Button?!

I am perplexed as to why the assumption that succeeding online should be easy. I guess folks have bought into the hypey sales pitchy advertising of providers, consultants, developers and TV commercials whose only purpose is to get into their pocketbooks. What dismays me even more is how often potential business owners throw their hard earned dollars at these programs (even though afterward they admit it... read more

Dec 30, 2008 Posted by Judith

Top 10 Web Site New Year’s Resolutions: 2009

At this time every year we review our lives and come up with resolutions to try and improve upon in the year ahead. Your Web site should not be excluded from this important effort considering online is more fluid and ever changing. Web site owners are safe to assume that there is no standing still or resting on your laurels when it comes to doing business online (That’s when your perceived... read more

Dec 9, 2008 Posted by Judith

Customer Service Gives You an Edge!

When times get tough, business owners are even more selective about where they spend their company’s dollars. One thing that many online business owners don’t fully understand the importance of or take full advantage of, is the customer service aspect of having an online presence. Online, there is an expectation of immediacy. Whether that be with information that is commonly desired and... read more

Nov 17, 2008 Posted by Judith

5 Order Confirmation Tips

If you run an eCom site, most likely your system sends out an order acknowledgment e-mail upon receipt of an order. If you don’t have a system that does this — time to upgrade to one that does! When customers receive an order acknowledgment in their inbox after placing an order, that lends to your business being perceived as professional and credible. There are certain basics you need to... read more