Question: I am starting my own business and funds are tight. I want to have new business cards designed and printed. Is there any source where I can get Free Business Cards designed and or printed?

Answer: There are a few ways you can get free business cards. There are ways to save on design and there are also ways to save on printing

1) FREE Business Cards Design – One way to get your business cards designed for free is to use a pre designed business card template along with an online editor to create your print file. Vista Print has hundreds of designs to choose from and you can customize the card to include your name and contact details. This design service is free. Look through the business card samples and find a design you like.

If you do not find a design on the Vista print site that you are happy with there may be another way to get free business cards designed. Many local printers have in house design staff. Printing is a competitive industry. If you ask for free business cards design many printers would be willing to do this for you to win over your business.

2) Free Business Cards Printing – Vista print also offers free business card printing. You may wonder why they would do offer anything for free. The reason for this is because they are willing to incur the expense of printing your cards to make an impression and to win you as a long term customer. After sending you your free business cards Vista print will add you to their email marketing list and send you regular promotional email ads. The quality of the printing is good. This is a good opportunity to get free business cards for your new business.

Question: I keep hearing about Twitter everywhere! I hear about Twitter on the news, at the grocery store, from friends, in the house, out of the house, on the house… Is Twitter mainly teenagers messing around or should I Twitter for my Business? If so, how can Twittering as an online marketing technique help my business?

Answer: I hate to say this but Twittering can actually be a great tool for your business. When I first heard about Twitter and tweeting it drove me nuts. It still does. The words twitter and tweet are extremely irritating. The whole craze got all the more obnoxious when celebrities started tweeting. I had hoped Twitter was a quick fad and promised myself to never Tweet.

My negative feelings towards Twitter were reinforced when I saw Twitter Tracker on the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. If you want a good laugh check out the video below where Conan pokes fun at how lame Twitter can be.

Ok, so you may have picked up on the fact that I find Twitter annoying but that does not mean that it can not be an effective tool for your business. Business owners should regularly communicate with prospects and customers. It used to be that email was the only way to directly contact these people via the internet. Today, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are becoming an increasingly more popular way to send direct messages to people on your contact lists.

How to use Twitter for your business

For Tweeting to be effective and not just a complete waste of time you need to 1) build a large list of Twitter followers 2) Semi regularly communicate the followers in messages that are 140 characters or less 3) don’t be irritating or people will just stop following you. People like to use social networking sites for fun not to be bombarded with ads. Say things that are useful or funny to keep your followers attention. Building and maintaining a Twitter Followers list will enhance brand awareness and can also be used to promote the business or specials and events. Just don’t overdo it!

Be careful of the blackhole
Many Gazillions of work hours are wasted on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Using these sites as a marketing tool for your business can be a good idea but be careful not blow countless work hours reading about what your favorite celebrity ate for lunch or watching videos of your friend’s dog chasing its tale. Good luck!

Allow the following list of the basics of search engine optimization to act as a guide during the creation of your next website. Using these techniques when creating your website will help improve your search engine rankings and the results that are generated.

1. Don’t expect overnight success.

Effective search engine optimization takes a lot of time and hard work. Patience will be your greatest virtue when optimizing your sites for high search engine rankings. Search engines take time to compile all the factors that will allow your website to achieve higher rankings.

2. Nothing compares to strong, well-written content.

Contrary to popular belief, well-formed and well-written content is the backbone of effective search engine optimization. Well-written content is intriguing, interesting and will ensure that your visitors are constantly scanning your website for updates. Return visitors will be interested enough to spread word about your website, and may even link to your website from their own. We discuss the importance of being linked to a little further in this article.

3. Use descriptive titles for your pages.

Giving your pages descriptive, yet simple titles will make it a lot easier for search engines to recognize what the contents of each page will be. It’s such a simple concept that is often overlooked. Avoid using the same title for each page – it will confuse search engines since there would be so many pages with the same title and it will be difficult to determine what the page is about.

4. Make good use of the heading tags.

The heading tags h1 to h6 are reserved for – you guessed it – headings. It cannot be stressed enough how important these tags are for generating strong search engine rankings. Although using images will allow you to use the fonts of your choice, search engines will not recognize them. There are image replacement techniques, but most of them involve hiding your text. This may cause a slight risk, because your hidden text may appear to search engines as hidden keywords. Hiding keywords is not allowed and will most likely penalize your websites rankings.

5. Get other sites to link to you.

The more times your website is linked by other websites, the more relevant your website will appear to Google. Google determines high rankings not only by the content on your website, but also by the number of websites that link to yours.

6. Create your websites with valid and accessible markup language.

If your website is written in a poor, messy version of HTML, the browser will most likely still be able to render it. There may be some parts of your website that are displaying incorrectly, but for the most part web browsers are smart enough to display your content the way it was intended. Search engines may not be able to read through your mess of code to determine the content of your website. Writing your website with valid and accessible means you will have more content than HTML code, and your website will load much faster.

7. You can’t fool the search engines.

Search engines want their search results to be accurate. There is no point in tricking them, because it will get you nowhere. Hiding text that contains keywords, or padding your alt tags with an unnecessary amount of words are sure ways to get your website penalized and possibly banned from most search engines.

8. Target one primary search term per page.

Place target keyword phrases in various spots on your page.

Here is a short list of the places to include your primary search term:

1. Title tag.
2. Description tag.
3. Within the first 100 words of the body paragraph.
4. h1 – h6 heading tags.
5. Use it several times in the body.
6. Bold it several times in the body.
7. Link to the page using the phrase in an anchor.

Assuming, you have already registered a web address, it is now time for finding a reliable web host. The process will be similar to registering your domain name. For web hosting, you will need to research hosting companies to determine the one that will be the most reliable. It is a good precaution to call the host(s) you are considering before you register. If they do not have a phone number listed, it is a good sign that they are not a legitimate company.

The best of the reliable web hosts have a very strong customer support team that will find a solution to any problem you may have within 24 hours. Avoid hosting companies that have a lot of downtime. If your website is offline (even for a day), any clicks you receive from Google will register in Google that your site no longer exists. This will severely affect your search engine ranking. All of the hard work you put into achieving priority search results will have essentially been for nothing.

Domain & Web Hosting Packages

Many reliable web hosting companies offer a package deal when you register a domain and a hosting account. In many cases, the domain is free with the hosting registration. This can be extremely useful when maintaining your hosting plan – you will only have to renew once instead of renewing your domain and hosting separately. It will also save you about half the total cost per year, as your one fee (often less than that of registering a domain alone) covers both the rights to your domain name and web hosting.

Below is a list of the top reliable web hosting companies and their most affordable starter package:

Host: Siteground
URL: http://www.siteground.com
Monthly Fee: $7.95 (with 3 year registration)
Web Space Allowed: Unlimited
Bandwidth Allowed: Unlimited
E-mail Accounts: Unlimited
Server Uptime: 99.9%

Host: GoDaddy
URL: http://www.godaddy.com
Monthly Fee: $4.24 (with 3 year registration)
Web Space Allowed: 10 GB
Bandwidth Allowed: 300 GB
E-mail Accounts: 100
Server Uptime: N/A

Host: HostGator
URL: http://www.hostgator.com
Monthly Fee: $4.95 (with 3 year registration)
Web Space Allowed: Unlimited
Bandwidth Allowed: Unlimited
E-mail Accounts: Unlimited
Server Uptime: 99.9%

Once you have completed your search and are done finding a reliable web host, it is time to register. You will begin by choosing your desired hosting package. You will be asked if you already have a domain name or if you will need to register a new one. In any case, you will have to fill out some personal information. Entering this information will register an account with the web hosting registrant. You want to have an account with the company that handles your web hosting so they can send you e-mail updates when your package is about to expire. Once you fill out your contact information, you will be asked how many years you would like to have the hosting plan for. For the majority of web hosts, their cheapest offer is with a minimum 3 year registration. If you feel that you will be maintaing your website for a long time, it is definitely worth it to choose the 3 year registration option. In most cases, you will save from $3 to $5 per month. You will also have the peace of mind knowing that you won’t be losing your domain and hosting plan, as it is automatically renewed each year. After you select the number of years you would like to register, all that is left to do is for you to enter your credit card information.

Now that you’ve taken your time to come up with a design for your business card that is sleek and professional, it is time to get them printed by a reliable business card printer. In order to maintain a professional image for your business, it is important not to compromise the quality of your business cards in the process.

Below is a short, yet extremely important, list of qualities to look for in a reliable business card printer.

1. Don’t compromise quality.

The quality of your business cards is by far the most crucial aspect to look for when finding a reliable business card printer. You want to have your business cards printed on a sturdy, reliable stock with smooth edges. Business cards that are printed on paper with perforated edges look cheap and unprofessional. In fact, the perforated edges are a dead give away that your business cards are homemade. The quality of the ink that the business card printer uses to print your cards is important as well. If you splash a few drops of water onto your business cards and the ink runs, the ink is very low quality and will not last. High quality ink can withstand almost any condition.

2. Look for a company that offers selection.

Try to find a reliable business card printer that offers more than just the standard paper stock business cards. Some companies may offer your business card in the form of a refrigerator magnet or a plastic coated, durable business card. Although these special business card types will generally cost more, it is nice to know that you have the freedom to print your business card in a variety of ways. This shows that the company is knowledgeable and aware of the importance of generating results for your business.

3. Find the best price.

Generally, you will find the best prices when you order business cards in bulk quantities. Typically, these are the prices that are best achieved online. It’s important to remember not to sacrifice quality for a little bit of savings. E-mail or phone the online company to see if they will send you a sample of a few of the business cards they’ve printed. If they do, test the paper and ink to make sure it is of high quality. If it’s a low quality card, you will most likely receive similar quality, if not worse. Shopping online can save you money, but be wary that it doesn’t cost you in other ways.

4. Results. Results. Results.

The purpose of your business card is to generate results. You want to find a reliable business card printer that not only is capable of printing your cards in high quality fashion, but one that can give you advice to make your business cards better. A lot of printers will print your artwork even though they’ve noticed an error. The best and most reliable business card printers will notify you of any mistakes and allow you to fix them – and in some cases may even offer to fix them for you.

Registering an effective website address is an important but relatively simple step in getting your website online. Here are a few steps to help you get your domain registered:

1. Think of a good domain name.

The first step in getting your website live and online is to think of a good domain name. A domain name is your own unique address on the web that will be used to access your website. It consists of your unique identifier (ie. yourname) followed by a suffix (typically .com, .ca, .net, etc.). The example of this domain name would be: yourname.com.

How are some general guidelines to follow when deciding on a good domain name:

a. Easy to spell.

The best domain names are short, to the point and consist of your brand or company name. A domain name that is easy to spell will be easy to communicate and will be easily remembered by potential clients. Along with being easy to spell, you want the name of your company and domain to be easy to pronounce. This way when you are trying to communicate your website in person or over the phone, you won’t have to spell out every letter, but will simply be able to tell somebody exactly how to reach your website online.

b. Avoid slashes, underscores and other special characters.

Special characters such as slashes, dashes, and underscores make it confusing to communicate your website URL. Instead of being able to tell somebody what your address is, you will have to explain to them exactly where it contains a special character. It will make your life a lot easier to just leave the special characters out and keep the domain to being all letters or a combination of letters and numbers.

c. Check to see if your name is taken.

Sometimes another company or brand has already thought of that perfect domain name before you did, and you will have to regroup. Don’t get discouraged at this point. Run a search on any domain registrant website (such as GoDaddy) to see if the top names that you thought of are available.

2. Choose a domain name registrant.

Conduct some research around the internet for the best possible price when registering a new domain. Make sure to consider that some companies will offer you just the domain for a cheap rate, while others will offer you the domain plus unlimited e-mail accounts for a small amount more.

Here is a brief list of popular domain registrants and their starting domain registration prices:

GoDaddy.com: $9.99/year + special offers

Misk.com: $10/year

Siteground.com: Free with hosting package (starting at $6.95/month)

3. Register name.

Now that you’ve chosen your domain name and your domain name registrant, it is time to register it. On all domain registrant websites, you will start by searching your desired domain name to see if it is available (if you have not already done this in step 1c). After you’ve secured that domain name, you will have to fill out some personal information. Entering this information will register an account with the domain name registrant. You want to have an account with the company that handles your domain names so they can send you e-mail updates when your domain is about to expire. Once you fill out your contact information, they will ask you how many years you would like to register the domain for. Look to see if you will receive a better price if you register the domain for multiple years. If you feel that you will need your domain for a long time, it is a wise decision to register for more than one year at a time. This will allow you to not worry about renewing your domain and will prevent it from expiring. Now that you’ve selected how many years you would like to register the domain for, all that is left to do is for you to enter your credit card information and the process is complete.

Congratulations on registering your first domain name.

Some people choose to save a wtzwn8jnuz few dollars by printing in only one or two colours for their business cards, while others feel it is important to utilize the full colour spectrum. Today, business card printing is so cheap that limiting the amount of colours used on the card doesn’t seem like a wise way to save a dollar. It is important to design the card to meet your business’ needs, and not to design it the cheapest possible way. The difference in cost between a full colour business card and one that makes use of only a few colours is so minimal, it is not worth it to jeopardize the image of your business.

Business cards all share one common goal: to leave a lasting impression on a potential client. After you have met someone and parted ways, all they have is your business card to remember you by. If it looks homemade or amateur, it will not leave a good impression and the once potential client will forget why they even have your card in the first place. Whether you are a carpet cleaner or a doctor, you want to show that you take pride in your image and the image of business. Printing a high quality, professionally designed business card is the best way to show that you are motivated and care about what you do for others.

I recall a time once in my real estate agent’s office when I was seeking a home inspector. My real estate agent handed me business cards for six different home inspectors. I decided to take only the card that had the best overall design. It was a full colour, thick, glossy business card with a professionally taken photograph of the inspector’s face. It gave me a clear image of who this person was and it showed me that they took great care in their line of work. I knew this was the inspector to choose, and I am extremely satisfied with my decision. A lot of potential clients choose who they want to hire based on the same sort of method. People want to feel comfortable when paying you to provide a service. If you have an attractive business card, it says a lot about who you are and what you do.

If you would like a professional business card designed, please follow this link: Business Card Design. For only $25, Panasall will design a high quality professional business card that is sure to generate results. Satisfaction guaranteed. Once your request is received, we will send you back a proof for you to review within 2 business days. No payments are necessary until the business card is completed and approved.

I often do a google search and I see my competitors listed next to a google map at the top of search results. How can I get my business listed there as well?

ANSWER: To add a business listing to Google maps for local search, go to:

http://www.google.com/local/add/lookup?welcome=false&hl=en-US&gl=US

Select the country where your business is located and fill in you business contact information and details. For category you will choose a word or phrase that best describes your business. You can also add additional categories for additional key words.

After filling out the form and selecting your categories, click next to continue to the next step.

On this page you can select your business hours and methods of payments you that you accept. You can also add up to 10 photos to include with your listing. You also have the ability to add a video to your listing such as a commercial or other promotional video to help promote your business. And finally on this page you can add additional details for your business such as additional amenities or other information you would like to add.

After you have filled out all of your information and added any photos and/or videos you would like on your listing, click the submit button and you will be taken to the final step which is to validate your listing.

On this page you can see a preview of your business listing and you will choose how you would like to verify your listing. There are a few options available, you can choose to verify by phone, SMS or by postcard. The postcard option is not recommended since it takes between 2-3 weeks. The best option would be either phone or SMS since they are an instant way to verify your listing. Once you get your verification number from which ever form you chose, enter the number in the verification field and click Finish and you listing will be posted with in one day.

A discount business card can be your first encounter with a potential client. It shows a client that you are professional, organized and prepared to handle their project. It allows you to provide new contacts with a way to remember you and reach you if they are interested in what you have to offer. Although a discount business card is one of the most important tools in marketing your business, it is important not to get carried away when buying that initial batch.

Here are some things to remember when ordering your first set of business cards:

1. Set a Budget

Ask yourself how much money you are willing and can afford to spend on business cards. Providing yourself with a guideline of how much to spend will ensure that you do not exceed that amount when ordering business cards.

2. Contact Panasall For Card Design

We are always happy to form relationships with new customers and therefore offer card design at a very low price of only $25. To request card design please visit http://www.panasall.com/contact.php.

3. Compare Prices – Online or Local?

When it comes time to print your business cards, you will want to do some shopping around. Determine if it’s cheaper to order your cards online or locally through a printing company. Don’t settle for the first quote you receive, because chances are there will be much better rates available. A lot of printers will provide discounts if you get more than just business cards printed. Determine if you need letterheads, envelopes, or brochures to accompany your new business cards and you may be eligible to receive a significant discount.

4. Find the Best Quality Printer You Can Afford

Now that you’ve found the cheapest printer around, it is time to get your cards printed. But, wait. You may have found a really cheap price, but have you looked into the quality of their printers? Ask to see samples of some previous cards they’ve printed. The worst thing you can do is settle with a printer that may offer a cheap rate, but print your cards at qualities no better than your printer at home. Look for perforated edges on the business card stock and blotchy ink lines; these are usually good signs that their print and paper quality is poor.

5. Order What You Need

If ordering extra collateral such as letterheads or brochures will put you over budget, it may not be that important to order them right away. Ordering less will lower the cost, but ordering more will lower the price per unit. Determine how many business cards you need and order the minimum amount to begin with. The goal is that your business cards will provide you with clients interested in your work. Once you begin to earn money from completing jobs, you will be in good shape to order more business cards.

Business cards are a great investment, especially if you are just starting out. It is important to always set a budget, compare prices online and around town, find the best quality printer you can afford, and order the amount of cards that you will need. If you follow this guideline, you will never find yourself overspending to get your business cards printed and you may even receive a great discount along the way.

I have been reading books, articles and blogs about web business and web marketing and I find all of the information a bit overwhelming. If you could give one piece of advise to a newbie like myself what is the one thing most site owners neglect that could make their site more profitable.

Jimmy’s Answer:

How to make your website more profitable!
Thank you for your question. So many things are neglected by the majority of site owners so it is very difficult to pick just one. However, since you have put me on the spot I will have to say Testing, Testing, Testing! Testing will make your site more profitable. Most site owners fail to test different ideas on their pages and analyze statistics.

It is a common mistake to create a website and not analyze statistics and test different ideas. By not testing different text, images, headlines, offers etc. you will never learn what is most profitable and your site will not even come close to reaching its potential.

I will illustrate this with a very simplified example. Imagine I have a website that sells car insurance using an online application form. On my homepage I have a little green button that says Apply. Lets also imagine that 7% of people that visit this page click my apply button. Now lets change that button to a shiny red button that says SAVE ON INSURANCE! Click here! By testing different apply now buttons like this and analyzing my site statistics I could find that a new button leads 14% of people to click through to my application page. That would double my applicants and therefore double my revenue without even increasing traffic.

One should always test various different elements of their pages and analyze visitor behavior to make their website more profitable. You can test page headlines, copy, images, buttons, design, video and anything else you can think of. With a good website statistics program you can see how these changes effect the behavior of the average visitor on your site. Bounce rate, length of visit on a page and # of pages visited are a few of many stats that should be of interest to you. A good stats package should also have conversion tracking that will help you analyze what visitors take the course of action you want them to.

You should never assume your site is perfect and always strive for improvement. Identify areas you would like to improve and make changes to try to better them. Use website statistics to analyze the results and stick with what works and eliminate or improve areas of weakness.

I hope this information was useful for you and wish you the best of luck on improving the profitability of your business.