Take time to set up a good business accounting system like Quick Books Pro or Quicken. When you are using this or any other software system, pretend at all times that someone else must see what you are doing and understand it. Do not use abbreviations or acronyms without explaining what they mean, since whoever takes over this system might not have any idea what you were saying. When faced with doing something very quickly or taking extra moment to document transaction with a note of some sort, take that opportunity to leave a trail for anyone who might take on this duty for you later.

Set up a “creative” system as well, for any design or branding information. It could be a directory on your hard drive that is backed up regularly, or a folder in your drawer – as long as its all together. Save everything that has to do with image and marketing of your business in one place – original logo, artwork, ads you have run, fonts, and colors that are used for a consistent identity. Having this information organized will not only give you ability to quickly market your business with a consistent brand, but will also provide beginnings of a corporate identity program that can be shared with future employees and vendors.

It is critical to any business that you do regular backups, have a disaster recovery plan, and have assessed any threats to your business information and that of your clients. As you set up these systems, do it in a way that also adds a sense of history. For example, if you back up weekly, store all of these backups somewhere with dates and specifics written on them, in case you ever need to return to that time period for any reason.

When time comes to consider growing your business beyond yourself, review documents you’ve developed, and make a list of tasks you could probably delegate to someone else. There are many ways you can test waters of growth. You might want to try hiring a temporary assistant or a part time virtual assistant. You should also consider what you can best bring to business, and which areas you might want someone else to handle. Then consider outsourcing aspects of your business to another independent professional. In whatever direction you decide to grow, you will have already created a strong foundation on which to build.

Eileen 'Turtle' Parzek (c) 2003 All Rights Reserved

Eileen 'Turtle' Parzek is a veteran web designer and an online marketing & communications consultant who has been working from home and virtually since 1995. Her business, SOHO It Goes! (www.soho-it-goes.com) functions as an online design marketing department for small businesses and organizations.

4. Go Below Fold - Copy can always be placed “below fold.” This term is used to describe section of your index page that is not visible when page first loads. In order to see it, visitor would have to scroll vertically. If you’ve designed your index page to be fully visible without scrolling, consider using space below design to insert your copy.

5. Use Sidebar - If your site design uses a sidebar for navigation links, use empty space for short bits of copy. Even statement “Order ________ Now” will give you one more instance of keyword placement.

6. Create Bulleted Lists - Many people don’t perceive lists as copy. For this reason, you can use bulleted lists (or numbered lists) where traditional “sentence” copy wouldn’t work. Tip: Instead of creating a list that reads:

We meet all your ____ needs by:

·offering lowest price. ·providing first-rate service. ·shipping your order in just 24 hours.

Create a list that reads like this:

At ABC Company, we offer you:

·the lowest price on ______. ·first-rate service. Ask us any questions you have about ____. ·shipping of your _____ in just 24 hours.

See difference? More keywords in same amount of copy.

If you use a little creativity, you can get enough keyword saturation in your copy without it cluttering up your site. This is sure to please both search engines and your site visitors.

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