As a consumer, when you check out of your local convenience store, you may swipe your credit card through a point-of-sale device and your gas, coffee, and donut are paid. But what if you are the retailer and your business is online? It's not like you have a card-swiping device at every customer s PC! There must be a way for you to process that information. Essentially, that is … [Read more...] about What is a Payment Gateway?
Archives for June 2012
10 Common Mistakes in Writing a Business Plan
Whether it is a new business or an expansion of a present business, you will need to write a business plan that is uniquely tailored to your situation. Here is a list of the 10 most common problems with business plan preparations. 1. No clear plan for progress First of all, you must make it clear to the reader just what the business is, and that you can reach the goals … [Read more...] about 10 Common Mistakes in Writing a Business Plan
Future Credit Card Sales: Small Business Financing Alternative
While being your own boss and owning your own company has many advantages and benefits, there are many challenges that you face as a small business owner. One of those challenges involves meeting the cash requirements of operating your business. Getting the money to start your business was challenging enough, getting additional cash once your business has been started … [Read more...] about Future Credit Card Sales: Small Business Financing Alternative
7 Home-Based Business Ideas
I’m always amused at books that try to predict the hot jobs for the future. Leafing through one book a few years ago, I saw "Underwater Archeologist." I’m not sure why that’s a high-growth area, but I noticed the book failed to predict any Internet-based careers, such as web designer! The book didn’t foresee the development of the Internet. Clearly, predicting the future isn’t … [Read more...] about 7 Home-Based Business Ideas
Excellent Customer Service: A Must for Small Businesses
Any business, especially a small business, needs repeat customers to survive. To achieve this, a business needs to offer excellent customer service. Great customer service is essential to help small businesses attract and retain the customers they need to survive and compete against the big boys, and more so in a downturn economy. We interviewed Kathy Doering, President of … [Read more...] about Excellent Customer Service: A Must for Small Businesses