Author Archives: Lisa Hephner
Is Your Website a Penguin Victim?
On April 24, 2012 Google released a new update to their search ranking algorithm dubbed “Penguin.” The goal of the update, according to Google, was to combat the effect of “webspam” in its rankings. Google’s post on the release claims that the algorithmic adjustments were made to counteract keyword stuffing, link stuffing and other “techniques that don’t benefit users, where the intent is to look for shortcuts or loopholes that would rank pages higher than they deserve to be ranked.”
If your website saw a drop in position or page rank over the past few weeks, it may be because of your SEO tactics. (And if you did, you’re not alone. Read Danny Sullivan’s SearchEngineLand post on Penguin Two Weeks In.) If you didn’t see a drop, but you use the now penalized techniques, you may see one soon. Google is actively targeting link networks and blog networks, and by many accounts is now not only discounting the value of these paid links but also actually penalizing sites for having links on what it deems “webspam” sites. (Read recent posts on the topic here and here).
Continue reading…
Try Controlled Location Sharing with this Free App
In the old days, a telephone conversation typically began with “hello” and progressed from there. Today, with the mobile phone ubiquitous, the “hello” is generally followed by “where are you?” This is particularly true if you’re en-route to a meeting, out of the office, or otherwise on the go.
Location sharing mobile apps have tried to address this issue by enabling you to let others track you based on your cell phone GPS. But they have the downside of letting people track you constantly, so that they always know where you are. That’s a bit unsettling. After all, you might want Customer A to know where you are when you’re on your way to meet them, but you probably don’t want them to know when you’re sitting in Customer B’s office.
What you really want to do is share location temporarily and only when it is pertinent and to your advantage… give others a glimpse of your location, not total access. The free Glympse mobile app does just that.
Continue reading…
Free Business Templates
One of the hardest things small business people need to do is create from a blank slate. If you’ve started your own business, then you’re probably pretty good at it. But, you’re also probably smart enough to know that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. And when it comes to standard business documents, starting from a template is typically a great shortcut, provided you do enough customization to turn the template into a document that meets your exact business needs.
There are many websites offering templates for everything from business letters to video themes, and the content is of varying quality so it can be hard to know where to go first. A good place to start is the Template Gallery for Google Docs. Continue reading…
Free Utility Deletes Files from Your Computer—For Good
As most computer users know, deleting a file isn’t as permanent as it sounds. Typically that file ends up in your Recycle Bin, where anyone can retrieve it (even you—which can be a stroke of luck if you’ve deleted by mistake). Even if you empty the Recycle Bin, the files in it aren’t really gone. A simple piece of software can often retrieve them– and you know that software is readily available to unscrupulous people who might happen upon your PC. Even it is never lost or stolen, files you’d rather not expose can be accessed by repair people or even the next owner of a recycled or re-sold computer.
Does that thought worry you? Don’t have a cow! When you absolutely positively want that file gone, erased, turned to ashes, vaporized and vanished Moo0 FileShrededer can do the job—for free. Continue reading…
Should Pinterest Be Part of Your Small Business Marketing Plan?
Have you heard of Pinterest yet? If not, this content sharing service should be on your radar. According to a recent study it is now the third most popular social networking site, surpassing LinkedIn in January 2012.
The Pinterest audience is unique—comprised largely of women between 25 and 44 who are highly interested in posting content about products and services they love. This distinguishes Pinterest from other social networking sites such as Facebook, and makes it an ideal target for retail marketing efforts.
Continue reading…
Free QR Code Generator
QR (Quick Response) codes are 2-d barcodes comprised of black dots on a white background, that when decoded by QR reader software on a smartphone display a webpage or a marketing message, initiate a phone call or an email, or even pull up a map pinpointing your business location.
QR codes are not new technology—they’ve been used in industrial settings for years. (A Toyota subsidiary invented them.) Nor is the concept of bar code marketing messages new—anyone remember the (failed) CAT reader from the mid-1990s? However, QR codes are fast becoming integral parts of mobile marketing programs as more and more people are using smart phones equipped with cameras and QR reader software.
If you’d like to try them as part of your marketing program, start out by using Quikqr to generate QR code images for free. Continue reading…
Revisiting Direct Mail Marketing
In today’s online world, it may seem strange to highlight something as old fashioned as direct mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Sure, there are lots of downsides to “snail mail” like relatively slow delivery time, environmental concerns, and the junk-mail stigma, but there’s a reason millions of businesses still include it in marketing plans– it delivers.
Unlike email which can be blocked by spam filters, banner ads that can be shut off in browser settings, and PPC ads that can be out bid, your direct mail piece is guaranteed to at least arrive. (Though once it gets there, whether it is read or round-filed is anyone’s guess.) And, direct mail is a great way to reach your entire customer base, not just those who have email and Internet access.
Granted, for some business types such as online retailers, e-marketing just makes more sense. But for bricks-and-mortar businesses that serve small communities, such as local book stores, cleaning services, or restaurants, direct mail can be a smart way to go. If this sounds like your business, the U.S. Postal Service has a new program created just for you: Every Door Direct Mail—Retail.
Continue reading…
Pitch Your Start-Up via the New York Times
The New York Times is running a Make Your Pitch contest, in which it is inviting start-ups to submit video presentations promoting their current business, or an idea for a new business. The prize is being featured on the New York Times website, in their You’re the Boss blog. Winning entries will be reviewed by a business strategist who will offer advice to the business owner. One super-star entrepreneur and videographer will be selected for a regular column on the blog in which they chronicle their start-up journey.
To enter, create a 2 minute video pitch that explains your business or idea, highlights what makes it special and unique, and outlines how it will make money. (Watch the Make Your Pitch video for tips.) Upload the video to YouTube, and then email the link to MakeYourPitch@nytimes.com to enter.
Continue reading…
Just a Nifty Free Word Processing Program
Have you noticed the current bundling trend? It seems almost impossible to get only what you want these days. A JAVA update is bundled with a web browsing toolbar, a file conversion program is bundled with audio editing software, your phone company wants you to bundle cellular, internet and TV, and even those infomercials want to give you a combination pocket knife/grooming kit with your “one-of-a-kind” thingamajig purchase.
Word processing software has not escaped the bundle trend. If you want to get it, even if you’re looking for a free program, it’s hard to find outside of a “suite” that also provides spreadsheet, graphics, presentation, and email software as well. However, with AbiWord you can elude the bundle.
Can Your Small Business Benefit from the JOBS Act?
The House recently passed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, with bipartisan support. A similar bill will soon be under consideration by the Senate, and The President has signaled his support for it. So provided everyone can agree and it becomes law, what does the JOBS Act mean for your small business?
While expert opinions as to potential effectiveness always vary, the JOBS Act is designed to make it easier for small businesses to raise money during their growth stage, and to make it simpler and less expensive for businesses to go public via an IPO. So, if you’re a small business owner looking to expand or go public, the JOBS Act may make your goals easier to achieve.
Continue reading…
Money
Strategy
Technology
Break Room
Research
PaySimple News