How To Benefit From Customer Complaints

AllBusiness. comIs there a silver lining to customer complaints? Yes, there is—in fact, smart business owners consider customer complaints solid gold. In this post, I’ll explain why customer complaints matter, what you can learn from customer complaints, and how to make the most of them to improve your business. Businesses of all sizes spend a lot of time, money, and effort trying to find out what their customers think of them.

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Is there a silver lining to customer complaints? Yes, there is—in fact, smart business owners consider customer complaints solid gold.

In this post, I’ll explain why customer complaints matter, what you can learn from customer complaints, and how to make the most of them to improve your business. Continue reading “How To Benefit From Customer Complaints”

4 Ways Brand Trust Gives Your Business A Competitive Advantage

What comes to mind when you think about your favorite brand? Typically, when a consumer really likes a brand, they trust the brand to deliver on its promise in every interaction and experience. Since they trust the brand to meet their expectations consistently, they choose it over other brands – even if it costs more or they have to travel farther to get it. What I just described is the power of a brand. It’s an unwavering trust built over time – a trust that inspires people to pay more, travel farther, and accept inconvenience.

What comes to mind when you think about your favorite brand? Typically, when a consumer really likes a brand, they trust the brand to deliver on its promise in every interaction and experience. Since they trust the brand to meet their expectations consistently, they choose it over other brands – even if it costs more or they have to travel farther to get it.

What I just described is the power of a brand. Continue reading “4 Ways Brand Trust Gives Your Business A Competitive Advantage”

4 Steps To A Basic Marketing Budget

AllBusiness. comIt doesn’t matter if your business is a startup stage or has been around for years, a marketing budget isn’t optional. It allows you as a business owner to see how much money you are spending, where you’re directing your efforts, and how much money you have on hand. More specifically, according to Jessica Lucas, a marketing budget:The intimidation factor causes many small businesses to shy away from budgeting.

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It doesn’t matter if your business is a startup stage or has been around for years, a marketing budget isn’t optional. It allows you as a business owner to see how much money you are spending, where you’re directing your efforts, and how much money you have on hand. Continue reading “4 Steps To A Basic Marketing Budget”

38 Best Barter Or Swap Websites That Let You Trade Your Stuff

As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. That’s exactly why swapping, and bartering sites exist. People want to use what they have to get what they want or need without having to spend loads of money to do it!It’s an ingenious system, really, that can save you tons of money scoring the things you want in life. Most of the following websites are free to use and give you the chance to trade in your stuff or barter with others to get what you want.

As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

That’s exactly why swapping, and bartering sites exist.

People want to use what they have to get what they want or need without having to spend loads of money to do it!

It’s an ingenious system, really, that can save you tons of money scoring the things you want in life. Continue reading “38 Best Barter Or Swap Websites That Let You Trade Your Stuff”

Do Amazon Sellers Need An LLC?

So, you’re asking a valid question if you’re wondering “Do Amazon Sellers Need an LLC?”While it doesn’t appear that Amazon requires sellers to form their businesses as any particular business entity type, it’s wise to consider the potential advantages of operating as something more than a sole proprietorship or general partnership. Many small business owners find the Limited Liability Company (LLC) structure an ideal option because it offers some of the same benefits of a corporation without as much complexity and cost. I recommend that anyone considering a business entity change speak with an attorney and tax advisor for guidance and direction before making a decision. In the meantime, below I will share some information to help you better understand:Before I get into the potential benefits of forming an LLC, let me first provide a quick overview of this business structure.

So, you’re asking a valid question if you’re wondering “Do Amazon Sellers Need an LLC?”

While it doesn’t appear that Amazon requires sellers to form their businesses as any particular business entity type, it’s wise to consider the potential advantages of operating as something more than a sole proprietorship or general partnership.

Many small business owners find the Limited Liability Company (LLC) structure an ideal option because it offers some of the same benefits of a corporation without as much complexity and cost.

I recommend that anyone considering a business entity change speak with an attorney and tax advisor for guidance and direction before making a decision. Continue reading “Do Amazon Sellers Need An LLC?”

How To Become A Virtual Bookkeeper

If you’re just starting out or, like us, tired of paying for office space, there is another option: Become a virtual bookkeeper. With the right business technology, attention to legal compliance and marketing savvy, you could become a virtual bookkeeper and make your entrepreneurial dreams come true—right from your own home. As a virtual business owner myself, I know both the pleasures and the frustrations of working at home. According to a survey by Endurance International Group, the biggest challenges that entrepreneurs face when working from home are:Fortunately, there are plenty of tech solutions to help.

If you’re just starting out or, like us, tired of paying for office space, there is another option: Become a virtual bookkeeper.

With the right business technology, attention to legal compliance and marketing savvy, you could become a virtual bookkeeper and make your entrepreneurial dreams come true—right from your own home.

As a virtual business owner myself, I know both the pleasures and the frustrations of working at home. Continue reading “How To Become A Virtual Bookkeeper”

15 Soft Skills To Look For When Hiring New Employees

AllBusiness. comWhen you’re trying to hire a new employee, what you see on paper is never the whole story. In fact, what you see on paper can be downright misleading. So what attitudes and abilities should an interviewer look for once they have a candidate in a room? Is it better to value someone who’s a self-starter, or should communication skills, or even empathy, weigh heavier?A prospective employee doesn’t have to have the exact expertise for a certain position, but they must be smart, strategic, and willing to learn how to do the job, no matter what it takes.

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When you’re trying to hire a new employee, what you see on paper is never the whole story. In fact, what you see on paper can be downright misleading. Continue reading “15 Soft Skills To Look For When Hiring New Employees”

3 Best WordPress Alternatives For Serious Business Owners

AllBusiness. comWe have all fallen in love with WordPress over the past decade, but there are some seriously legitimate competitors that give it a run for its money. Since most of these competitors focus on certain types of websites only, it ensures a more optimal performance compared to WordPress’ all-in-one strategy. One of the biggest reasons for a poorly performing WordPress website is a faulty theme or plugin.

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We have all fallen in love with WordPress over the past decade, but there are some seriously legitimate competitors that give it a run for its money. Since most of these competitors focus on certain types of websites only, it ensures a more optimal performance compared to WordPress’ all-in-one strategy. Continue reading “3 Best WordPress Alternatives For Serious Business Owners”

Important Questions To Ask Before You Buy A Franchise

AllBusiness. comDid you know that you must go through an interview in order to invest in a franchise? If you want to become a franchisee, your first order of business will be to speak with the franchisor (or a representative on their behalf). The franchisor will ask you questions about your background and goals, if you have any existing experience in the industry, your plans for building a customer base and financing the franchise, and your exit strategy. While it may seem like a lot of questions, this is all about getting to know you in order to establish a relationship together.

AllBusiness.com

Did you know that you must go through an interview in order to invest in a franchise? If you want to become a franchisee, your first order of business will be to speak with the franchisor (or a representative on their behalf).

The franchisor will ask you questions about your background and goals, if you have any existing experience in the industry, your plans for building a customer base and financing the franchise, and your exit strategy. Continue reading “Important Questions To Ask Before You Buy A Franchise”