Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Need more traffic to your site or blog?

Ok, everyone wants and needs more traffic to their websites and blogs, so I'm always searching for the best ways to do that.

I have found this,Link Referral Progam.

Please check this out, it really does help bring traffic to your site. You won't be disappointed.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Viral Marketing

I've just downloaded a report

called the "Ultimate

Viral Blogging System For Webmasters
" and have to say it

looks pretty interesting to say the least.  If you want to virally

grow your web traffic, and boost your search engine rankings with a ton of

backlinks, this report is definitely for you. 



I managed to get a free copy

of the 50 page report, and you should be able to get it from the link

above, but hurry as it's going to return to it's regular $67 price tag at

any time!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Is the economy hurting your business?

Just wondering how many online businesses are being hurt by our economy. I know my sales have gone down over the last few months, and am wondering if is because of the financial situation in our country. Lets hope whatever "Bail Out" is coming from the government, will actually help the average person in our country and not just the super rich and the large companies.

I see it like this, if the government wants to use our tax dollars to bail out all these big companies, they would be better off paying off every mortgage in the country, (which would still help all of these banks that are failing), and actually helping the American people. If they want to truly help 'Main Street', they need to start by actually helping those who live and work on Main Street.

Think of the jump start our country would get if they paid off mortgages. Just wipe the slate clean, pay off all our house debts with OUR tax dollars and help the big companies that way. It's a win win situation. We win, the investors win, and Americans can breath easy again!

Just my 2 cents!!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Ebay or a Website?

I get this question often. Should I start out on Ebay or a Website? Of course, Ebay is going to get you the most exposure the quickest. I believe you need to have BOTH! Start off on Ebay and slowly build your website. You can link your ebay listing from your website, and vice versa. This will help your exposure for both of them.

The drawbacks to Ebay are: you have tons of competition, sometimes with the exact same products, exact same product pictures, exact same product descriptions, and some of them selling the products for far less than you - just to get the sale. Also, sometimes your drop shippers won't allow you to sell on Ebay. Be sure to ask! You also have to pay Ebay Fees.

Some of the drawbacks to your own website: The cost & lack of traffic to your website. You can find VERY affordable web hosting companies that even have shopping carts. If you can read you can usually set up the site yourself. Don't pay a ton to have someone do it for you. If you start making the big bucks, then pay someone, but until you do, try to do it on your own. This will save you A LOT OF MONEY!
The biggest drawback to trying to sell products on your own site: LACK OF TRAFFIC! If you don't have people coming to your site, you won't have any customers! Be sure your site is Search Engine Optimized, you can find a lot of free information on this just by going to Google and searching "Search Engine Optimization". Then you have to make sure your site is submitted to the search engines as well. A great way to do this is by linking to your site from your ebay listings, or writing a blog and linking to your site.

There are many tricks to getting people to your website (that won't cost you), but I will save that for another post....

So I say you need both, just be careful on how much you spend, if you are willing and able to do it yourself, you can do really well!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Now is the time to prepare for Christmas Sales!

Now that fall is upon us, it is time to start preparing for your Christmas sales. This may seem early to some of you, but if you want to be selling at Christmas time, now is the time to find your products, drop shippers and so on.

Figure out what exactly your sales strategy will be and find those suppliers (if you haven't already). You'll notice that most stores are now carrying fall items, most wholesalers are pushing Christmas items, and drop shippers have both.

If you are new to this whole thing, this is the time to source your products, and get your acccounts set up with wholesalers and drop shippers. Try and sell a few items before the holiday season approaches, this way you are better prepared once the selling season comes around. Ask your suppliers all the questions NOW, don't wait until the busy season!

Let's hope this economy turns around so we can all have a great sales period in the upcoming months.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Do I need a Tax ID Number?

This is a question I get a lot. I know many of you are home based businesses just starting out, and want to get started quickly. But, before getting started, actually get yourself set up as a business, so that you can work with the bigger drop shipping companies. Most reputable companies now require that you have a tax id number or business license before they will open an account with you. Many times this requires you to contact the business you want to use, receive their forms via email and then fax them back a copy of your tax id number along with a New Customer Application Form. It varies from business to business as to what will be required.

It is so easy to get a tax id number, there is absolutely no reason I can think of as to why you wouldn't. It makes it much easier to buy from larger companies, and also if you decide to later purchase wholesale, you will already be set up to do so.

I don't know the requirements in every state for getting your tax id number, but I know in the state of Minnesota, you apply right online and you get the number instantly, print it out, and the whole process might take you 10 minutes maximum. So go to your state's website and look into how to get your tax id number. It is well worth your time and it will open many doors for your business.

Til next time,

Linda

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Drop Shipping - do you use it?

I've been selling online for years now and am the original creator of the Online Drop Ship Directory - DropShippingCentral.com. We've been duplicated many times over and have lots to say about drop shipping. This blog will be all about the things I've learned about drop shippers and wholesale sources over the years.

I want lots of input from others, so tell me your thoughts on drop shippers and what you think. Are drop shippers worth it? Tell me your good and bad experiences with drop shippers. Do you buy wholesale and resell? Let me know. Share everything! Can't wait to hear from you!