Redbox Biz Blog

Submitting your website manually to Google, Yahoo, MSN and a host of other search engines can be tedious work but someone has to do it. If your webmaster does not help you with it, he should be fired. Submitting sites to search engines should be a task which your webmaster should be able to help or at least point you to someone who may.

But a word of caution: submitting your website to search engines is only relevant IF (and this is a BIG iF) you have good content for the search engines bots to index. Otherwise, forget it.

What makes good content? Content that’s updated, content that’s tailored to help your website visitors, content that is not old or out-dated. But what if you cannot write your own content? If you don’t mind, you can always ‘borrow’ content by featuring other writers. Free content is found in abundance online but always remember to include the author or writer’s sig file or resource box. Nothing peeves an author when he is not acknowledged and yet his article is found on someone else’s website!

Also, ensure you have your metatags and page titles in order. (Don’t have a clue what this is? Why not sign up for my free monthly ezine? I usually give out more tips and tricks on the nitty-gritty on websites in my free ezine. Enter your name and email address on the sign-up box on the right of this webpage to get more info.)

Let’s say you have rock solid content and great metatags but your webmaster never bothered to submit your website to major search engines. You can roll up your sleeves and do it yourself. It’s not some hush-hush secret. It’s just tedious….

Start with the big three first. Don’t know which big three I am talking about? Yes, Google, Yahoo and MSN. Once you get the hang of it, you can find the ’smaller’ guns and submit to them later. I’m more concerned about the big boys. Once the big boys find you, it’s much easier for the smaller ones to do it too. Continue reading »

Almost everyone wants to get online these days with an e-commerce website/ online store and start selling to the global masses. But before you build or design your e-commerce website, keep in mind the below tips.

Remove customers’ fear
How easy is it to use your product? How easy is it to place an order? How easy is it to get a refund if I am not completely satisfied? If your customers are not convinced that using your product is as easy as ABC, they won’t buy it. They may need it but they won’t buy it unless you show them that it is easy to use/install.

Since there’s nothing to touch or feel online, give your customers a demo version if you can. Let them have the freedom to try out your product before they decide to buy. If you sell tangible products, give away samples. Many people are hesitant until they get a free trial version or samples. Also, make it clear that you will be there to guide and help them in case of any problem.

Make it easy to buy
If they’re going to buy from you online, ensure the ordering process is easy and uncomplicated. Don’t have too many steps – people may not have the patience to go through different pages and clicking on a dozen yeses before they finally get to ‘buy’ the product. Value the input from your web developer but take a closer look at the ordering process before the website goes live. Continue reading »

Let’s face it: everyone started off with a Hotmail account or two. And then it was Yahoo. Now it is Gmail, courtesy of Google.

All these email accounts are free.

But is your email ruining your credibility, particularly if you’re in business?

I’ve come across odd email addresses which should have never made their way onto business cards. Continue reading »

Most business owners are stumped when they are asked to write some content for their website. They don’t know where to start. They don’t know what to write. Their fingers freeze on the keyboard and they sit staring at the monitor, unable to type even a sentence.

It sounds funny but it is true. It happens to most people because writing is one of the most difficult tasks for any normal person. Speaking/talking is easier. You just shoot your mouth off. It doesn’t need much thought.

But writing is a different kettle of fish. You need to assemble your thoughts. You need to logically think through it all before tapping out something on the keyboard. You cannot lie through writing because you can read and re-read those sentences and find yourself chuckling or writhing in embarrassment. And the word lives on even when you’re long gone.

If you are tasked with the unenviable chore of writing something/anything for your business or company website, here are some ideas on how to make the task as easy and as pleasant as possible.

1. Collect all materials which can provide you with information. This can include flyers, brochures, reports and even news bits written about you or your company. Continue reading »