Practical Money-Saving Tips For Small Businesses

Written by Diane Hughes


One ofrepparttar primary concerns all small businesses have is saving money. When it's time to trimrepparttar 104350 fat, most look for one giant expense to decrease or eliminate in order to stay within budget. More often than not, it doesn't work that way.

Most budgeting experts will tell you that re-evaluating your overall expenses and cutting each by just a bit will actually gain you more ground than doing without something major that you really need. Here are a few ideas of areas to look at and costs to reduce that can have a major impact on your overall profits.

1) Internet Access - Every online business owner must have access torepparttar 104351 Web. But consider this. The market is so flooded with ISPs that you have a lot of room to dicker. Start by searchingrepparttar 104352 Internet under keywords like "cheap internet access" or "discount isp" to bring up lists of possibilities. Then, do one of two things.

(a) Try some of these independent ISPs. Smaller companies can have high quality service and support just likerepparttar 104353 "big boys". One business owner I know recently switched from Prodigy ($21.95/mth) to a smaller ISP that only charges $12.50/mth with no contracts. She actually likedrepparttar 104354 new provider better and it costs her about half as much. [Savings of $113.40 per year.]

(b) Renegotiate with your existing ISP. Most larger ISPs know you have a choice of a thousand other companies. Because of this, they are normally more than willing to renegotiate your costs. Be honest. Tell them you are a small business owner and you need to cut expenses. Explain that you've been pleased with their service but will be forced to go with someone else if some sort of arrangement isn't worked out. Another friend of mine did this and received 6 months free! Most will offer 2-3 months free and/or a discount with an annual agreement. NOTE: When you approach your ISP, be fully prepared to switch to someone else if your offer is rejected. [Savings of $105.80 per year with 3 months free and reduced, annual rate.]

2) Switch From A Merchant Account To A Payment Service - If you have a low volume of credit card transactions, it might benefit you to switch from a merchant account to some sort of payment service like Pay Pal or ClickBank. Statement fees, monthly fees, discount percentages andrepparttar 104355 like can all add up to big money.

Creating A Network That Works

Written by Diane Hughes


Do you ever stand in awe of those people who seem to know everybody and everything? I know I do! Regardless of what you're looking for, these people have their finger onrepparttar pulse ofrepparttar 104349 'Net and know where to find it. Their network of resources and people is incredible! Yours can be, too. It's actually very simple to create a network that works to bring you business, offers feedback and provides those resources that we all need to have.

---- Make A Wish List

The first step in creating a network that works is making a list of what you want. Go ahead, think ofrepparttar 104350 perfect situation where you would have anything you needed at your fingertips. For example, if you have a Web design business you might find it very helpful to create associations with people who offer services that compliment yours. Why? Because if these people are heavily involved withrepparttar 104351 process of getting a Web-based business up and going, they could send you many leads and that could turn into paying clients.

What else might you want? Perhaps free advertising or publicity to bring more business your way? Sure! Write it down onrepparttar 104352 wish list.

---- Making Wishes Come True

Now,repparttar 104353 next step is to findrepparttar 104354 resources you need in order to make those wishes realities. It's not as difficult as it sounds. Just expand on your wish list a bit inrepparttar 104355 following way.

We mentioned needing associations with service providers that compliment our example of Web design. So write down companies that provide: Web hosting, merchant accounts, shopping carts, autoresponders, Internet checks, copywriting, graphic design and scripting/programming.

We also said we needed some advertising or publicity. So add torepparttar 104356 listrepparttar 104357 following: ezine ad swaps, banner ad swaps, local newspapers, local TV and radio stations, Chambers of Commerce.

Finally, it's time to go to work. The best way to start is to alert your friends and associates of what you are trying to accomplish. It's simple to send a quick email that states something torepparttar 104358 effect of, "I'm inrepparttar 104359 process of expanding my resources and find I'm in need ofrepparttar 104360 following [providerepparttar 104361 list]. If you know of anyone who you highly recommend in one ofrepparttar 104362 above areas, please offer them my phone number and email address. I am interested in arranging a joint affiliation with them in order to increase both our businesses."

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