5 Easy and Free Tools to Help You Grow Your Business Online

Growing businesses need a fairly large amount of software to conduct operations, but it’s not necessary for the business owner to spend a fortune on commercial programs and applications. In terms of business and consumer software, there are literally hundreds of incredible and free solutions that can help get the job done for the business. The 5 free and easy tools listed below for all facets of business have been tried and tested and have received good reviews especially for startups and small businesses, handling everything from email marketing to endpoint protection.

You can also consult your IT support company to consult on the tools listed below or find something else that suits your specific business.

Don’t forget the basics – Antivirus protection

What’s the point of growing a business if it can be attacked and hacked by viruses or hackers? Endpoint protection from Avast comes in both a free and premium version, both of which offer good protection. If you opt for the free version, keep in mind that you won’t have access to proactive controls, a firewall, or data shredding. You’ll still get access to solid malware blocking, security scanning, and rescue disk functionality. If using Windows, make sure to keep its firewall activated to support Avast.

Join.me Videoconferencing

If you’re looking to connect with clients, prospects, remote workers, or your sales people in the field, you’ll need a reliable video conferencing solution to help you get the job done. Join.me offers a free plan that lets you invite up to 10 video participants, share screens, and supports up to five video feeds.

Wave accounting

To keep your financial books balanced, you can use Wave. With the free version of Wave, you’ll receive accounting and reports functionality, you’ll be able to create and scan invoices, and you’ll be able to scan receipts directly into the system. Although far from being a one-stop accounting application, if you keep things simple you can go far just by using its basic service. If you need anything heavier, go for the premium version.

HootSuite Social Media Listening

Small businesses simply don’t need a large social listening platform. A free, easy-to-use dashboard that lets you stay up-to-date on what your customers are saying should be enough, and Hootsuite Free offers a free version that’s good enough to do the trick. With HootSuite, you’ll be able to manage multiple social networks, schedule posts, and interact with your followers. You'll also be able to track how many followers you have on each of your social networks and monitor which posts are generating the most clicks.

MailChimp e-mail marketing

MailChimp is one of the best and most popular e-mail marketing platforms on the market. If your company sends fewer than 12,000 e-mail messages per month to fewer than 2,000 subscribers, you can use MailChimp’s Forever Free plan. This lets you use built-in signup forms to gather subscribers from across the web. You can use MailChimp’s drag-and-drop designer and e-mail templates to craft the perfect message.

Big Social Media No-Nos Your Business Should Avoid

When it comes to social media, many entrepreneurs are self-taught. You’ve learned your way around Facebook and Twitter with personal accounts, so you figure you’re good to go when it comes to a business account. Your experience will help, but there are some unspoken rules in the social media world that you might have missed while using the sites to dig up pictures of your old high school friends.

Whether you’ve just decided to launch a social media site for your new business, or already have a well-established social presence, it’s important to make sure your sites are professional. The following are some common social media mistakes that every business owner should avoid committing.

1.     Bad Trending Choices

When you’re posting to social media, it’s natural to take advantage of trending topics. However, it’s important to make sure your post is appropriate. Too many businesses try to capitalize on trending topics, and end up posting something insensitive.

For example, in 2012 after the mass shooting at the Century movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, the hashtag #Aurora was trending, as Twitter users discussed the event and voiced their condolences. Apparently, the person tweeting for this clothing store didn’t know why #Aurora was trending, and attempted to use the hashtag to promote a dress. Needless to say, the tweet came off as inappropriate and insensitive.

Interacting with trending topics is a great way to generate social media activity for your business, but before attempting to utilize a trending topic to your business’s advantage, make sure to establish that the topic is relevant, appropriate, and not in bad taste.

2.     Overposting

When it comes to posting frequency, there isn’t a hard and fast rule, but you don’t want to alienate your followers by being a chronic “overposter.” You’ll want to look at your engagement levels to help guide the number of times you post, but if you’re using Facebook, three to five posts a week is a good number. When it comes to Twitter, a tweet a day is a steady amount of content.

3.     Failure to Respond

The whole point of social media is to engage with your target audience. If you’re not interacting with your followers, what’s the point? Even if a customer complains, or says something negative about the company, you still need to respond in a timely and appropriate manner.

Since social media is constantly up and running. If your business wants to establish a strong social media presence, your company should be prepared to respond to people's messages outside of your traditional business hours.

4.     Being Overly Promotional

You can mention an upcoming sale or advertise a new product on social media, but that shouldn’t be the only thing you’re serving on your sites. Use the 80/20 rule—eighty percent of your content should be engaging posts and information that your audience wants to read, while the remaining 20 percent should be promotional.

If your social media plan is to sell, sell, sell, you’re going to fail, fail, fail. You need to offer a diverse array of information on your sites. For example, if you own a clothing store, you could post links to fashion articles, ask for feedback on a hot new accessory, or post pictures of celebrity clothing trends. Diversity is the key to social media content.

Ways a Well Optimized Computer Can Get More Things Done

We all know the basic truth that when a computer has been running for a few years into its lifespan, it tends to slow down a bit. As its workload increases, the computer slows down considerably. Also over time, unneeded files and programs fragments the hard disk and neglecting to clean out through regular maintenance adds up to slow down computer speed and performance.

To get your computer up to speed again, performing optimization through maintenance should be done on a regular basis. When a computer is regularly optimized, it achieves two things:

1. A well optimized computer brings back peak performance to more things get done faster. This is particularly important if the computer is used for work, business, or educational purposes like research and studying.

2. A well optimized computer means you don’t need to spend a dime on so-called software or programs that make grandiose claims that if you run their program your computer will run better and faster.

We’ll get back to number 1 to show you ways on how to properly optimize your computer. As for number 2, you need to realize now that you can perform maintenance optimization regularly for free. Software and programs with wild claims of optimizing your computer automatically, in reality, will do virtually nothing and are outright scams. This includes antivirus and malware software that sell add-on optimization tools that cost around $20 or less. Unless you’re running Windows 9x versions, all Windows today and even Apple computers have built-in optimization tools that are more than enough to keep your computer well maintained and in peak performance.

So going back to number 1, perhaps some do’s and don’ts reminders can first show you what and what not to do.

DO NOT:

§  Use Internet Explorer or IE based browsers like MSN Explorer.

§  Use Outlook or Outlook Express.

§  Open e-mail attachments that are questionable or suspicious or not expecting, no matter who sent them.

§  Respond to spam messages and e-mails using unsubscribed links.

§  Visit questionable and untrusted website.

PLEASE DO:

§  Always have an updated antivirus program running and keep that firewall up with no poked holes into it.

§  Have your computer automatically install all the latest security updates.

§  Delete all unsolicited e-mails containing attachments without reading them.

And most of all, perform regular optimization maintenance.

Disable transparency effects

These special effects look impressive, but use up too much of your PC’s resources. Turn off these effects and instead, go for that classic Windows look, to speed up your computer’s performance.

Disable unnecessary startup programs

Several programs contain a component that automatically runs at startup. While this is convenient for programs you use often, running unwanted software at startup could slow down your computer.

Disable shadows and animations

Shadows and animations look nice onscreen, but, they unnecessarily add to the CPU’s (Central Processing Unit) load.

Uninstall unnecessary programs

You need to uninstall programs you no longer need or use, especially those trial versions you installed and forgot about. Such programs take up memory and eventually slow down the computer.

And of course, don’t forget to regularly defragment the hard disk, running disk cleanup, restarting you computer at least once a week after you turn it on, and running only one antivirus protection program.

Several Factors to Consider Before Buying a Laptop

For most people, a laptop is usually considered a work tool or a study tool. But a laptop can be more than these for other multi-faceted purposes such as handling a personal business, entertainment, documentation, and even social media. This makes it imperative that the buyer should make the correct choice for his/her needs before buying that new unit.

So, here are the really important aspects to consider when shopping for a new laptop.

Size

If portability is the main concern, then consider a notebook that has a small screen and is light weight. Any laptop marketed as an Ultrabook should fit the bill as they are designed to be slim and light. If work or heavy tasks are to be done, then you may need the 13- to 15-inchers with better and faster specs.

Screen Quality

You’ll be staring at your laptop for many hours each day so you want to make sure you get a screen that is comfortable to look at. Touchscreens have glossy screens that lead to reflections so consider a laptop that doesn’t have a touchscreen unless you really need it. Size matters again since a big screen is needed if you need to do heavy tasks like video or photo editing or a lot of research and writing. Look at the resolution: a 1920x1080-pixel resolution, or full HD, should be considered if you want plenty of space to line up windows and keep things in view. Finally, the viewing angles are extremely important. A laptop screen that has IPS (in-plane switching) offers the widest viewing angles and the best user comfort. Never buy blind so go into a store and see the screen for yourself.

Processor Speed

It’s hard to go past any of Intel’s Core-based CPU’s when buying a new laptop. Think Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7. These CPU’s offer the best performance when it comes to multitasking and multimedia tasks. Core i3-based notebooks are generally found in entry-level systems, while Core i5 makes up the majority of mainstream computers. Core i7-based systems are for those of you who want the best performance from your laptop. However, note that with a Core i7-based system, heat coming through the base of the laptop can be cause for concern, especially if you plan to use the laptop on tabletops.

RAM

You need 4GB of RAM or more to get the best out of your system. More RAM allows for more applications to be run at the same time, and for more data to be quickly accessible by the system at any one time, which comes in handy for tasks such as editing photos.

Price

Of course you can’t ignore the price which is a significant factor to consider when shopping for a new laptop. Laptop prices are often predicated on the features of the device. So, a laptop with a faster processor speed and RAM would likely cost more than a model with less speed. However, increasing competition in the market and more attention to research and development of new products makes it possible these days to find moderately priced devices boasting features that would naturally be found in models that are more expensive.

Keeping Up with Technology Can Help You as a Business Owner

It has never been a secret that technology today can either make or break the success, transformation, or expansion of any small or medium-sized business and its business owner. It doesn’t if you’re a startup local coffee shop or an online beauty products boutique; internet-enabled IT systems can make businesses better organized, smarter, faster, or doom it to failure when technology is ignored.

So if you’re a business owner, one of the best investments to prioritize should be using technology and keeping up with it so you’re not left behind by the competition that also uses the same technology.

Use CRM to keep up with customers

Small and medium business owners can use customer relationship management (CRM) systems to meticulously plan out their interactions with customers in record time. With a CRM, you can keep all of your customers’ contact information in one place, alongside detailed information on the products they have purchased, the feedback the customers give out, and the marketing materials that have been used. Keeping track of this makes it easier to offer outstanding customer service, as well as targeted marketing materials based on your customers’ habits and preferences.

Use accounting software to manage your finances

Keeping a close eye on income and cash flow is an integral part of managing a successful small business, but this process can quickly turn into unnecessary time consumption if you don’t have the right technology. Accounting software can access up-to-the-minute reports on where your business stands at all times especially if it has easy-to-use user interface and simple setup to invoice your customers and keep track of payments.

Create an open and communicative environment

By centrally locating the performance appraisal information within a formal online framework, business owners can more easily communicate business strategy and create measurable goals for their employees that will support overall company objectives. It also allows for greater visibility, thereby allowing employees to see the whole picture and understand better how individual goals fit into the company’s business objectives. This creates energized and engaged employees that will definitely raise the work productivity of the business.

Connect teams virtually

Create employee portals and team sites to help people work productively inside the business or when they need to be out in the field, no matter what location. You will eliminate “silos” that effectively cut off communication because employees can utilize technology to reach out to others working on similar projects or find experts to answer their questions inside the business.

Performance, progress, and productivity analysis,

Naturally, employees in any business want to be appreciated for their hard work. Business productivity software can bridge the gaps in communication and convey to each member of your team that they are valued. With your people working at their highest capabilities and your business aligned from top-to-bottom, you will be creating a workforce that is engaged, productive and loyal. Feeling valued is the key to employee loyalty which leads to greater business productivity, and technology can help with this aspect.

4 Common Newbie Mistakes You Make When Building Your First Computer

What are the common mistakes that beginner PC builders make? Oh, the list can be long, and based on many experiences, we can name at least 20 here alone. For beginners, building a PC is not easy, but it’s not rocket science either; but there are enough components and enough small things that make it easy to overlook a minor, but critical aspect of assembly.

So, here’s hoping that presenting the four most common newbie mistakes when building a first-time PC can help alleviate those mistakes, and that means four less mistakes and 16 more to go. Just kidding.

Mixing up the power cables

Of course you do know how to plug in your cables, but not all plugs are created equal. Take your computer’s internal power supply that has two different kinds of 8-pin power cables: one for the graphics card and the other one for the CPU’s motherboard. So be sure to take a closer look at the pins since they’re shaped differently so you don’t force into where they don’t belong.

Leaving the graphics card hanging out

If the GPU is screwed into the case and plugged into its power, don’t immediately assume that it’s good to go. The graphics card needs to be plugged into a slot on the motherboard. There’s a rubber shield you need to remove to expose the PCI-Express slot, and then the card needs to plug into a matching PCI-Express lane on the board. Make sure of this by pushing the graphics card into the slot until the lock – at the far end of the slot – snaps into place. Then be sure to screw in the card and don’t rely on the motherboard slot to carry all the weight.

Not pushing the power cables all the way in

Many newbies and even experts have fallen into trap of not being able to figure out why the desktop wouldn’t boot. The motherboard seemed to be getting power, the graphics card seemed to be getting power, but the computer just wouldn’t turn on. Take the time to really study because the motherboard power cable could be just a fraction of a millimeter shy of being properly plugged in. It just needed a tiny little push to snap into place. It can look like it was plugged in, but more often it’s not.

Not using anti-static procedures when building a PC

“Grounding” refers to the process of discharging static electricity from the human builder into safe ground that sinks the charge and pulls it away from the user. This prevents electrostatic build-up and discharge into components that will ultimately damage computer hardware, and this damage is not usually immediately visible until the PC is used often. It’s advisable to take some sort of grounding safety precautions such as a simple anti-static wrist strap or a banana plug receptacle that connects to the third prong in a wall outlet.

Choosing the Right Computer Components to Suit Your Needs

Building your own computer is not a rite of passage for anyone, regardless of how tech savvy you are, or aren’t. The reason to build your own computer – and choose the best components for it – is because of the need to do so. When you build your own computer:

• You can easily upgrade it because it’s custom-built.
• By choosing your own components you avoid buying a low-end computer if you’re on a budget, and what you’ll build will run faster. Many low-end computers use inferior components.
• You get more benefits by choosing what you really need:

• Basic system – if you just need something for homebased work and nothing special, you can get solid parts.
• Home system for the family – mainly more RAM and a dual-core processor so all family members can be served.
• Gaming system – you’ll need a faster ATI or Nvidia graphics card, a dual-core processor or quad-core processor, a good quality and faster RAM, and a good SATA hard drive.
• Music sound mixing and production – you’ll need a strong and non-integrated sound card, a decent amount of RAM, and a decent processor.
• Video editing – you need to choose a graphics card fast enough to render what you need to be done. These cards are not the same as gaming cards since there are cards actually made for the professional editing market. A quad-core processor is needed and a large hard drive is needed with multiple terabytes if you need to do a lot of video editing.

What are the bare minimum components you can choose for a computer?

• CPU case with a power supply
• Motherboard (be careful since some motherboards come with integrated video card while most have integrated sound and network)
• Processor
• Memory (RAM)
• Hard Drive
• Video Card

The Processor

This is fairly easy because although you may choose AMD for basic units depending on the motherboard, the best choice will always be an Intel, particularly one of the Intel Core 2 CPU’s if you’re unsure what to choose. Even with an Intel, examine the specs to know what kind of motherboard you need. Just take note that if you plan to purchase a separate video card, don’t get a board with integrated video on it.

The Graphics Card

Choosing a video card will depend on whether you play PC video games or not. If you do, then you’ll need to spend some money for a good card. If not, then you can pick up the regular $50 ATI or Nvidia DVI video card that works fine. Just make sure your motherboard has the correct slot. If you’re a serious gamer, then you’ll need at least an Nvidia 8800 GTS card since it’s blazing fast. Take note that most high-end video cards require a separate power connector, so make sure your power supply has the right connector.

Hard Drives

Most computers at least hold 80GB and you can install a SATA 500GB hard drive for $100. Always get SATA since it’s faster and more stable than the older IDE or PATA. You can also get the newer RAID (redundant array of independent disks) that allows multiple, lower cost hard drives to function as a single unit. SSD’s are more expensive and has less capacity but is more mechanically reliable.