Hi this is an interesting article if you are a new business starting online, or adding online business to your traditional business.
Lots of businesses are now operating on-line. They might be start ups who only trade on-line or established retailers and service providers who have been undercut on price due to the lower overheads of many on-line operations.
However, just because operating costs of an on-line business may be cheaper doesn’t guarantee success and the start up costs to obtain a properly functioning website can be high.
If you are not a "Harvey Norman” with the money to employ large law firms, IT consultants, accountants and marketers, how do you safely and effectively start your on-line presence and make a profit?
These are the things you need to consider:
Your business structure: sole trader, company or trust, this will depend upon your aims for the business;
A business plan which is fully budgeted so you can afford the full set up costs and can run your business until it makes a profit. See if you can conduct a trial first to gauge interest in your product or services by using another on-line auction or retail portal;
A marketing strategy which looks at social media as well as more conventional forms of advertising and publicity. Web marketers are increasingly saying that careful use of Twitter for example is more powerful and quicker than relying solely on attempts to generate a better ranking on popular web engines by the use of seo services;
Terms and Conditions which protect you and ensure you get paid, for example you might require payment before shipment of goods. These should also limit your liability as much as possible in the new Australian Consumer Law environment. You may also need to look at whether or not you need to register a personal property security interest under the new Personal Property Securities Register if you cannot obtain full payment up front;
A Privacy Statement and processes to ensure you comply with privacy and anti-spam laws. If you collect personal information from consumers you need to be aware of the rules regarding the use of this information and the on sale of such information to others or sending this information overseas;
A Disclaimer to protect yourself from liability particularly if your site contains links to other sites or information not produced by you;
Intellectual Property licences; if you intend to use intellectual property belonging to someone else you must have you obtained permission to do so;
A contract with your IT consultant or web designer to ensure you own and control your website and that you get what you pay for. It is quite common experience for start up businesses that the website provider cannot deliver them with a properly functioning product on time and on budget;
Make sure you obtain the business names, domain names and apply for trade mark protection of your product and/or trading name. A common problem for start up businesses is not checking to see if your product or trading name is similar to another business. This can be a very expensive mistake as you can wind up having to rename and rebrand your business or product or possibly having to defend expensive Federal Court proceedings.
Getting good advice at the beginning is a key factor to a successful on-line launch so it can indeed be a whole new ball game.
I am interested in your comments about this article. Please respond if you have something that you think our readers can benefit from.
Regards Steve Davenport
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Monday, November 29, 2010
Low Cost Marketing Tips
Hi all, here some great tips for all of you wanting to market your business without spending to much money.
Google maps- Now everybody is using I Phone and like other brands for their business (and everything else) being on Google Maps is a must if you want your business to be found. Make sure you also embed a google map of your business on your website, so that you are as visible as possible. Being on Google Maps will also increase your rankings with Google
Email Marketing and SMS Marketing. We all have great data bases at our disposal right? We have them on our email address books, phone contacts, MYOB Customer lists etc. By using the digital network we are able to communicate industry information, sales offers, company updates, frequent buyer programmes etc.
Ensure that your information within your emails or sms are to the point and relevant. Ensure also that you only send to clients who wish to be emailed. Put a note on the bottom that enables the client to opt out at any time.
Regularity is the name of the game and you should plan via your computer calendar items that you would like to communicate to your data base. This will ensure that you remember to and get in the habit of sending these communications on a regular basis.
Leads Clubs- Join a local Leads or Business Networking Group. This is a great way of spreading the word to many people. Most States and Cities have a group near you. These clubs run in the following way, a breakfast meeting once a week or fortnight. Each member gives a 30 second run down of what they do. Each member gives a summary of business leads they have passed onto fellow members. A different member gives a 20minute talk at every meeting and answers questions from the members. Another 30 second explanation of your business closes the meeting.
This is a great way of spreading the word. Each member knows hundreds of other people in business, friends and family. They recommend you and you recommend them. The lead they give you then have their contacts and so on.
Many long lasting friendships, and business relationships begin this way and I have found that this type of group is possibly the best form of advertising that we have been involved in.
Testimonials-are a great way of having existing clients detail their positive experiences with your company to their clients and to many potential clients. Include you testimonials on your web site for everyone to visit and to read. There is no better endorsement of your company than the positive experiences of your current clients.
If you are really clever you can video the testimonial and embed that on your site. This is even better as your potential clients can look into the eyes of your happy customer and get a real feel for their excitement and satisfaction.
Tracking-How many of you have a web site but have no idea of how many people visit your site, how they found their way to your site, how long they spent on your site etc>? Google Analytics is a great way of finding out much of this information and it is also free!!!!!
Pay Per Click Advertising- This is almost a must now and it is also a form of advertising where you only pay when someone visits you advertisement. See advertising on social networking groups like Facebook for more information.
If we are not tracking our advertising campaigns, or monitoring our web sites etc then we are all missing out on must have information!!!! We can all spend a lot of money on web sites, printing, advertising campaigns, but if that is where it starts and stops we are doing our businesses a real injustice.
Until next time
Steve Davenport
Promotions-R-Us
Souvenir Scene
2/265 Richmond Rd
Richmond SA 5033
0883521753
steve@promotions-r-us.com.au
www.promotions-r-us.com.au
Google maps- Now everybody is using I Phone and like other brands for their business (and everything else) being on Google Maps is a must if you want your business to be found. Make sure you also embed a google map of your business on your website, so that you are as visible as possible. Being on Google Maps will also increase your rankings with Google
Email Marketing and SMS Marketing. We all have great data bases at our disposal right? We have them on our email address books, phone contacts, MYOB Customer lists etc. By using the digital network we are able to communicate industry information, sales offers, company updates, frequent buyer programmes etc.
Ensure that your information within your emails or sms are to the point and relevant. Ensure also that you only send to clients who wish to be emailed. Put a note on the bottom that enables the client to opt out at any time.
Regularity is the name of the game and you should plan via your computer calendar items that you would like to communicate to your data base. This will ensure that you remember to and get in the habit of sending these communications on a regular basis.
Leads Clubs- Join a local Leads or Business Networking Group. This is a great way of spreading the word to many people. Most States and Cities have a group near you. These clubs run in the following way, a breakfast meeting once a week or fortnight. Each member gives a 30 second run down of what they do. Each member gives a summary of business leads they have passed onto fellow members. A different member gives a 20minute talk at every meeting and answers questions from the members. Another 30 second explanation of your business closes the meeting.
This is a great way of spreading the word. Each member knows hundreds of other people in business, friends and family. They recommend you and you recommend them. The lead they give you then have their contacts and so on.
Many long lasting friendships, and business relationships begin this way and I have found that this type of group is possibly the best form of advertising that we have been involved in.
Testimonials-are a great way of having existing clients detail their positive experiences with your company to their clients and to many potential clients. Include you testimonials on your web site for everyone to visit and to read. There is no better endorsement of your company than the positive experiences of your current clients.
If you are really clever you can video the testimonial and embed that on your site. This is even better as your potential clients can look into the eyes of your happy customer and get a real feel for their excitement and satisfaction.
Tracking-How many of you have a web site but have no idea of how many people visit your site, how they found their way to your site, how long they spent on your site etc>? Google Analytics is a great way of finding out much of this information and it is also free!!!!!
Pay Per Click Advertising- This is almost a must now and it is also a form of advertising where you only pay when someone visits you advertisement. See advertising on social networking groups like Facebook for more information.
If we are not tracking our advertising campaigns, or monitoring our web sites etc then we are all missing out on must have information!!!! We can all spend a lot of money on web sites, printing, advertising campaigns, but if that is where it starts and stops we are doing our businesses a real injustice.
Until next time
Steve Davenport
Promotions-R-Us
Souvenir Scene
2/265 Richmond Rd
Richmond SA 5033
0883521753
steve@promotions-r-us.com.au
www.promotions-r-us.com.au
Monday, October 18, 2010
Weekends Cricket
A pretty wet week meant that many games did not get away this weekend. The A grade CVRCC boys turned up to Hawthorndene only to be confronted with a wash out. Their game will revert to the one day format next weekend.
The B grade ventured down to Serpentine Reserve to play Southern to find perfect conditions and a well drained oval. Southern got away to a good start and were only 2down for 93 at drinks and poised to post a big score. What they didn't factor on was Kingo Smith taking 5 for 47 after the break. A huge effort by our quick. New chum Josh Putland bowling his leggies chimed in with 3 for 29 and shows huge promise for a very young man. Southern ended the day with a moderate 173. The Ramblers will need to show the same gritty determination as week one to get over a determined Southern outfit.
Coromandel Valley Ramblers C Grade were smashed from one end of the oval to the other and did not help themselves by dropping a double digit amount of catches. Much work must be done at practice on our fielding to support our competent bowling line up. Sam Davenport with 2 for 93 was the only shining light with the ball. What could have been with 5 catches going down off his bowling alone. Southern finished the day at 7 for 334.
The D grade boys played Adelaide Cavaliers 2 at Kenilworth and made a handy 198 runs although they failed to bat out their overs. This gave Cavaliers a few bonus overs and by days end had replied with 1 for 36 off only five overs. Our fourth team will need to bowl tightly next Saturday to achieve victory. Batsmen who made an impression on the day were club legend Malcolm Lincoln with 47,Eitzen with 44 and Pownceby with 38. No one was able to turn their start into the big innings required.
Lets make sure we get out and support all the Ramblers teams next week. Early results can make or break teams in their bids to qualify for the finals.
Regards
Steve Davenport
Promotions-R-Us
Souvenir Scene P/L
2/265 Richmond Rd
Richmond SA 5033
0883521753
www.souvenirscene.com.au
www.promotions-r-us.com.au
The B grade ventured down to Serpentine Reserve to play Southern to find perfect conditions and a well drained oval. Southern got away to a good start and were only 2down for 93 at drinks and poised to post a big score. What they didn't factor on was Kingo Smith taking 5 for 47 after the break. A huge effort by our quick. New chum Josh Putland bowling his leggies chimed in with 3 for 29 and shows huge promise for a very young man. Southern ended the day with a moderate 173. The Ramblers will need to show the same gritty determination as week one to get over a determined Southern outfit.
Coromandel Valley Ramblers C Grade were smashed from one end of the oval to the other and did not help themselves by dropping a double digit amount of catches. Much work must be done at practice on our fielding to support our competent bowling line up. Sam Davenport with 2 for 93 was the only shining light with the ball. What could have been with 5 catches going down off his bowling alone. Southern finished the day at 7 for 334.
The D grade boys played Adelaide Cavaliers 2 at Kenilworth and made a handy 198 runs although they failed to bat out their overs. This gave Cavaliers a few bonus overs and by days end had replied with 1 for 36 off only five overs. Our fourth team will need to bowl tightly next Saturday to achieve victory. Batsmen who made an impression on the day were club legend Malcolm Lincoln with 47,Eitzen with 44 and Pownceby with 38. No one was able to turn their start into the big innings required.
Lets make sure we get out and support all the Ramblers teams next week. Early results can make or break teams in their bids to qualify for the finals.
Regards
Steve Davenport
Promotions-R-Us
Souvenir Scene P/L
2/265 Richmond Rd
Richmond SA 5033
0883521753
www.souvenirscene.com.au
www.promotions-r-us.com.au
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Footy Finals Week 2
Good luck to all Happy Valley Football Club teams participating in Saturday and Sundays finals.
The A grade play Cove on Saturday at Christies Beach Football Club in what promises to be a ripper game played in very wet conditions if the forecast continues to be correct. The Under14 Sunday team and the C grade participate in the Grand Final to be held at Happy Valley Football Club from approx 3.45pm on wards. The C grade play their Grand Final under lights from 7.00pm. All that can make sure you get up to support the boys in the quest to be premiers.The canteen and bar are both open from before the start of the first game.
On Sunday the Under 16's, the under 18's and the B grade all travel to windswept Aldinga Football Club to play 1st Semi Finals. One slip and we are out so again get down and support the lads achieve wins in all games. We have all been training since January, we might as well stick in for another three weeks, hey lads!!! Good luck to coaches Sutton, Norman, Pockets, Davenport, Sutherland and Stringer.
Thanks must also go to all of the wonderful trainers at Happy Valley who have to cover all days and grounds to ensure the boys are well prepared and safe whilst playing our great game. To Hank, Des, Shannon, Jess, Sarah, Alicia, Mel, Jason a huge thanks from all of the coaches at Happy Valley. To all of our other volunteers who run boundry, time the matches, work the scoreboard, mark, the oval, run water etc a big thanks also.
Two unsung heros of recent weeks. Ian Eddy who arrives at every home game before the sun gets up to do ground set up, what a great job you do and we appreciate it every week. To young Joel Chapman who has boundry umpired, run water and assisted us in every way thank you very much young man. Only an under 10 at the club and already giving fantastic service.
Go Vikings
Steve Davenport
Souvenir Scene P/L
Promotions R Us
2/265 Richmond Rd Richmond SA 5033
0883521753
www.souvenirscene.com.au
The A grade play Cove on Saturday at Christies Beach Football Club in what promises to be a ripper game played in very wet conditions if the forecast continues to be correct. The Under14 Sunday team and the C grade participate in the Grand Final to be held at Happy Valley Football Club from approx 3.45pm on wards. The C grade play their Grand Final under lights from 7.00pm. All that can make sure you get up to support the boys in the quest to be premiers.The canteen and bar are both open from before the start of the first game.
On Sunday the Under 16's, the under 18's and the B grade all travel to windswept Aldinga Football Club to play 1st Semi Finals. One slip and we are out so again get down and support the lads achieve wins in all games. We have all been training since January, we might as well stick in for another three weeks, hey lads!!! Good luck to coaches Sutton, Norman, Pockets, Davenport, Sutherland and Stringer.
Thanks must also go to all of the wonderful trainers at Happy Valley who have to cover all days and grounds to ensure the boys are well prepared and safe whilst playing our great game. To Hank, Des, Shannon, Jess, Sarah, Alicia, Mel, Jason a huge thanks from all of the coaches at Happy Valley. To all of our other volunteers who run boundry, time the matches, work the scoreboard, mark, the oval, run water etc a big thanks also.
Two unsung heros of recent weeks. Ian Eddy who arrives at every home game before the sun gets up to do ground set up, what a great job you do and we appreciate it every week. To young Joel Chapman who has boundry umpired, run water and assisted us in every way thank you very much young man. Only an under 10 at the club and already giving fantastic service.
Go Vikings
Steve Davenport
Souvenir Scene P/L
Promotions R Us
2/265 Richmond Rd Richmond SA 5033
0883521753
www.souvenirscene.com.au
Monday, August 30, 2010
Happy Valley Football Club Under 16's Defeat Reynella
What a big week it has been in football a great man once said and never has it been truer than the past week at the Happy Valley Football Club. A wet week mean that our training was very much modified. After a honorable loss against equal top Brighton the lads came out to play against Reynella in the elimination Final down at Christies Beach. This is the business end of the season and the boys knuckled down immediately and scored first in the big encounter.
Louis Luke given the difficult assignment of shutting down Collinson from Reynella did just that and did not give the Reynella wingman a sniff all day, hence making it very difficult for Reynella to move the ball forward. Beard was great in ruck all day for the Valley and together with Tom Kari gave us the first look for most of the match. Kumnick up forward and then on the wing kicked three and provided a quality target. Down back Spacie, Tate, and Barrett let nothing go through half back and consistently provided rebound. Sexton and Bauer mopped up anything with good judgement and made some great decisions.
Up forward, big Nicho, lead well and fought like the devil to keep the ball in our area, whilst Benno, Mesecke, Eshmade provided targets and put plenty of frontal pressure on the Reynella backs ensuring us many shots at goal. J Kari, Kleeman, Spark, Cummings, Norton and Zeitz all contributed well whereever they were asked to play whilst Peters and Raitt were outstanding in the middle.
The end result was three great quarters of complete team football, running to support, playiong to our structure. This saw us dominate on the scoreboard. The last quarter was poor and not helped by a very average umpiring performance. Reynella fought back but we were too good by about three goals.
It will take an even more disciplined performance and four quarters of concentration to get over a rebounding Brighton at Aldinga next Sunday morning.The boys now have some idea about just what they can achieve if they follow the plan and believe in each other.
Lets get em Vikings.
Congratulations to all of the HVFC sides who competed and won on the weekend. All sides are still alive apart from the Under 16 sunday team who were valliant in defeat against Brighton on Sunday. The SFL refused to budge and we were forced to play 8-9 under 14 boys who had played the day before. Thanks to all the lad who worked hard all year, to the under 14 boys who assisted us and to the parents who bring the boys out every weekend. Both Steve and I are very proud of your efforts. We have seen much imporvement in the group this season and look forward to seeing the boys out again in 2011.
Steve Davenport
Souvenir Scene
Promotions R Us
2/265 Richmond Rd Richmond SA 5033
08 83521753
Louis Luke given the difficult assignment of shutting down Collinson from Reynella did just that and did not give the Reynella wingman a sniff all day, hence making it very difficult for Reynella to move the ball forward. Beard was great in ruck all day for the Valley and together with Tom Kari gave us the first look for most of the match. Kumnick up forward and then on the wing kicked three and provided a quality target. Down back Spacie, Tate, and Barrett let nothing go through half back and consistently provided rebound. Sexton and Bauer mopped up anything with good judgement and made some great decisions.
Up forward, big Nicho, lead well and fought like the devil to keep the ball in our area, whilst Benno, Mesecke, Eshmade provided targets and put plenty of frontal pressure on the Reynella backs ensuring us many shots at goal. J Kari, Kleeman, Spark, Cummings, Norton and Zeitz all contributed well whereever they were asked to play whilst Peters and Raitt were outstanding in the middle.
The end result was three great quarters of complete team football, running to support, playiong to our structure. This saw us dominate on the scoreboard. The last quarter was poor and not helped by a very average umpiring performance. Reynella fought back but we were too good by about three goals.
It will take an even more disciplined performance and four quarters of concentration to get over a rebounding Brighton at Aldinga next Sunday morning.The boys now have some idea about just what they can achieve if they follow the plan and believe in each other.
Lets get em Vikings.
Congratulations to all of the HVFC sides who competed and won on the weekend. All sides are still alive apart from the Under 16 sunday team who were valliant in defeat against Brighton on Sunday. The SFL refused to budge and we were forced to play 8-9 under 14 boys who had played the day before. Thanks to all the lad who worked hard all year, to the under 14 boys who assisted us and to the parents who bring the boys out every weekend. Both Steve and I are very proud of your efforts. We have seen much imporvement in the group this season and look forward to seeing the boys out again in 2011.
Steve Davenport
Souvenir Scene
Promotions R Us
2/265 Richmond Rd Richmond SA 5033
08 83521753
Friday, August 20, 2010
Promotional Confectionary
Please tell me who would want to receive a free packet or container of sweets???? I know, all the hands are currently in the air. Put your logo or emblem on confectionery and hand them around or put them in a bowl at your next conference and you won't be able to keep people away from your stand!!!
Confectionery is great way to have your company or club name spread far and wide. Confectionery, is fun, colourful and a great talking point (wait until you swallow) and will ensure that your potential clients will remember you.
Mints, Jelly Beans, Boiled Lollies, Chocolate, Lolly Pops, etc
Whether your business or club be large or small there is a confectionery product right for you.
Please ask us about corporate confectionary and what exactly is available at any time by calling Steve Davenport at 0417839235 at any time.
Confectionery is great way to have your company or club name spread far and wide. Confectionery, is fun, colourful and a great talking point (wait until you swallow) and will ensure that your potential clients will remember you.
Mints, Jelly Beans, Boiled Lollies, Chocolate, Lolly Pops, etc
Whether your business or club be large or small there is a confectionery product right for you.
Please ask us about corporate confectionary and what exactly is available at any time by calling Steve Davenport at 0417839235 at any time.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Ramblers on Fire
Hi all,
A great game of cricket played by a slightly undermanned Ramblers team steam rolled Warradale in our last game.
After a spluttering start, John Ferris joined a very proppy skipper to add 138 for the 5th wicket. This enabled us to reach 269 at the end of the day.Week 2 saw John Hilditch rip through the warradale bowling in the second session abely supported by newcomer Andrew Gormlie, Dean McStay and Kingsley Smith. The boys stuck to their task and the game plan and gained the rewards. warradale all out well short of the total.
Ramblers are now on the cusp of the final four but needing to win their remaining games to ensure a finals berth. We cant take the Bulls lightly this week.
Until next time,
Steve Davenport
A great game of cricket played by a slightly undermanned Ramblers team steam rolled Warradale in our last game.
After a spluttering start, John Ferris joined a very proppy skipper to add 138 for the 5th wicket. This enabled us to reach 269 at the end of the day.Week 2 saw John Hilditch rip through the warradale bowling in the second session abely supported by newcomer Andrew Gormlie, Dean McStay and Kingsley Smith. The boys stuck to their task and the game plan and gained the rewards. warradale all out well short of the total.
Ramblers are now on the cusp of the final four but needing to win their remaining games to ensure a finals berth. We cant take the Bulls lightly this week.
Until next time,
Steve Davenport
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