The web site

I have been working on building the web site for the new company. So far so good, but I find I have more trouble with the content compared to the actual functionality. I wish I was more creative and had the skills and experience of a graphic artist combined with the skills of a wordsmith or author. I know what I want to say, but have trouble saying it.

I will be posting the URL in the next couple of days. So far, I established the Domain Name, set up email, installed the servers, worked through network issues at Qwest, installed the various third-party software packages and assorted stuff for web site development. So far, so good. After I post the URL, I want feedback. I want people to give me good feedback about the site and ways I can enhance it. It is something I cannot do on my own because I'm just not wired that way.

On this blog, Keri finds and corrects my spelling, grammar, content, etc. When I post the blog content, I think it is good to go, but she always finds things I miss. I pretend it makes me mad, but I really just appreciate she has the eye for those details. The same will apply to the web site. I need as many eyes on it before I go live to make sure the site works for people, makes sense, doesn’t have glaring errors, etc.

On another note, the site is actually up and running (but I'm not telling you the URL)... Goggle has even found it and made a quick pass at an index. I'm sure after tonight the Google index will be out-of-date, but it is starting me to think a bit about SEO and how businesses need to keep on top of search engines and the way to best present information. I will reserve this as a new post in the future, but I like the idea at least one of the engines has found the site already!

Back to work....

Bernie

Small Business Meetups

I went to a Denver Entrepreneur networking group last night.

As you may or may not know, I am starting a new business. I have tried this before, with a minimal amount of success. The business paid the bills, but it was not quite the business I wanted it to be. I suppose I could blame the economy like everyone else. I could easily say circumstances beyond my control were at fault. In reality, the business wasn't as successful as I wanted because I didn't put the right effort into making it go.

My big issue last round is the same issue a lot of people face as a small business owner. Heck, they even face it as an employee working for another person. People work an hour in order to get paid a dollar. This behavior pays the bills. It puts food on the table. It even brings about moderate amounts of success. But it is no way to run a business. I fell into that trap last round and I'm going to avoid it this time.

I failed to grow the business by failing to do three things: 1) Use networking to find leads and grow sales. 2) Use outside resources to tap available resources to help the business grow. 3) Hire people to do the work.

Last night I met like-minded people. I met small business owners who want to grow their own business. I met a CPR instructor. I met a Shaklee nutrition product salesperson. I met two photographers and a small business lawyer who focuses on I.T companies.

Well, I have been looking for a lawyer to make sure I stay clear of any legal problems and now I have a lead for one that may be a perfect fit for my business!

The networking event was really a pleasant surprise. I was expecting hard sales with the stench of used-car salesman. Instead, it was a bunch of really nice people who were really interested in what they did. The speaker was an expert in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and he was also a small business owner. I met the speaker and another obvious contact that may be useful down the road. He says he gets people in all of the time looking for companies like mine and doesn't have a place to send them. Now he does. Not only that, his presentation was truly informational and useful for me as an I.T. professional. I learned new things last night and wasn't expecting that walking into the room.

Best thing about the night was that it was free. That’s it for now. Next time I will talk about another small business resource I will be using to help grow my business.