Ok, I'm tossing around the idea of starting another article for articlesbase(dot)com. I think that our experiences starting and running several small businesses online has definitely been an eye-opener in more ways than one. Blogging, linking, sending out newsletters, designing a website... I think I have some experiences to share with others who are perhaps just thinking about starting a small business or already have.
It's a daunting task, staring at the blank screen on your computer, trying desperately to come up with a name for your store, your site. Something eye-catching and cute, but purposeful. You don't want to get overlooked by the "Big Boys" of the internet: Google, Yahoo and MSN. Get passed over by them and you are wasting your time, seriously.
I have just invested some extra time in "linking" to other websites from our NeeNeesSoapShop home page. I've found a lot of junk, some good, some bad links. It's taking less time, actually, than I thought it would to add a link to our page and in turn get them to link to us. A quick email with a banner usually does it. But, is it going to work? I have no idea. We'll see how we rank in link numbers in a few days. You can check your own domain to see how it's doing by going to yahoo search and typing in "linkdomain:yourwebsite.com". Put your name or the name of another website in the "yourswebsite.com" position. Check out how many links link back to you or from you. I was surprised how much work I've been doing!!! ha
Other ways to gain a presence on the 'net:
1)Comment on other people's blogs. Something meaningful, not just "hi, I agree". Leave your business name or link to your website. I started by doing a blog search for "small business" or "rural business". It was pretty cool!
2)Find sites that have Top 100 lists of website like yours: "Top 100 Craft Sites", for example. "Top Wood Working Sites" "Top 100 Jewelry Sites". See if they share links, reciprocal links, etc. Get on their lists.
3)Get listed in Yahoo local business finder. List your business in online yellow or white pages. Upload a logo or photo to go with it. Put a link to your listing on your webpage.
4)Offer coupons for your business at merchantcircle.com or tjoos.com. Easy to set up. Fast and painless.
5)Send out a newsletter to friends and family with plenty of links to your store. Tell them they can forward to whomever they like. Incoming links count as much as outgoing.
6)Add your webpage URL to your handouts at trade shows or on your business cards. Very easy and cheap to do.
7)Start a blog and link, link, link back to your webpages. Link to others, as well. Ask your friends to link to you, too, if they have a blog or homepage for business or pleasure.
8)Add your website to Google Analytics. It takes a google gmail account and some technical no-how, but worth the extra effort to see how you are doing linking and being seen. Maps and charts help you figure out who, when, and where you are being seen.
Spend a little time (it's taken us over a year as we both work full-time) and you'll reap the rewards! Happy website building!
( 
)
Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our 
