Archive for the ‘Online Business’ Category
yahoo pipes
September 2nd, 2008
MatthewSo have you been hearing about mashups recently? A data mashup is basically a web app that combines data from several sources into a single source. An example would be to combine a photo feed and google maps. The result is a map with points showing exactly where your photos where taken. Sounds cool hu? Well yahoo has created a visual tool that makes creating mashups relatively easy and fun called Yahoo Pipes.
Choosing a Domain Name
June 30th, 2008
MatthewChoosing your domain name (otherwise known as your website address) is one of the most important things you will do for your online business — so careful attention should be paid to ensure you select the perfect domain for you.
Wendy Kennedy, editor of Register.com’s Learning Center, offers a few tips on choosing a good domain name for your business. She discusses the importance of “.com” names, lists some things to keep in mind when registering a domain name, and offers tips for getting a good name when your first choice is taken.
Zamzar.com
January 30th, 2008
MatthewI came across this website trying to convert a file from one type to another. Zamzar is dedicated to helping you transform your songs, videos, images and documents into different formats. You should check it out when in need Zamzar.com
Dropshipping / Fulfillment
November 1st, 2007
MatthewThe Difference between drop shipping and order fulfillment.
Drop shipping is a method of selling and distributing goods where the supplier of the product (in this case, you) ships the product directly to the consumer on a middleman’s (retailer’s) behalf. The retailer pays you the wholesale price (plus shipping costs) and charges the consumer a mark-up. You, the supplier, can ship the product yourself, or you can choose to use a fullfillment service to process the orders for you.
Just because you can drop ship, doesn’t mean you necessarily want to. First, you will have to analyze the added costs. Many wholesalers prefer to ship multiple items to one retailer. It saves on order processing and shipping costs. Drop shipping is more labor intensive, and may require special packing slips and labels with the retailer’s name on them. A fullfillment service will pass those costs on to you, as well.
If the costs don’t seem prohibitive, then it may be a good idea to offer drop shipping. Thousands of people are looking for products to sell online, but don’t want to carry inventory. Finding a good drop shipper is the answer for them.
ClubPenguin.com Acquired by Disney for $700 Million.
August 14th, 2007
MatthewI am always amazed at the type of money that is involved in a successful website. The Cool Virtual World for Kids was just acquired by Disney for $700 Million ($350 million in cash now and opportunity to earn $350 million between now and 2009).While, I have to say I had never heard of Club Penguin prior to reading about their recent acquisition by Disney, I did check out their site and was super impressed with the safe, innovative and kid-friendly virtual world they have created. I was equally impressed by their global involvement in education and medical treatment for children in Uganda and Romania.
As a parent, I can tell they have really gone beyond the call of duty to implement the appropriate safety measures for children interacting in this game. Club Penguin seems to have it all: a innovative solution, a cool site and a social conscious.
Sending Large Files
August 4th, 2007
MatthewI have come across a great website for sending large files. You can send up to 1GB. Their free desktop tool allows you to send or backup entire folders using DropSend, directly from your desktop. Just drag and drop in your folders or files and you’re good to go!
OPTION NUMBER ONE
File too big for email
Send large files of up to 1GB
Ideal for sending jpegs, pdfs, MP3s
Send important large files to clients
Fast, simple and secure to use
No software to install
Free file-sending with the Basic plan
OPTION NUMBER TWO
Your hard drive, online. Use it to…
Back up all your files online
Store important information then access it anywhere
Share your stored files with others
Back up your website and other projects
Archive all your critical data
Business plan available for group file-sharing
Online Layaway
July 22nd, 2007
MattheweLayaway.com is delivering the retail pay-as-you-go concept to online shoppers. "A lot of people are maxed out on their credit cards, others want to plan their purchases and some have no credit at all," says Sergio Pinon, 41, who, together with Matt Ryncarz, 25, launched eLayaway in August 2006.
For a flat 1.9 percent fee, eLayaway lets online customers make incremental payments until their purchases are paid off. The idea sprang from Ryncarz’s former venture, which facilitated vacation planning through payroll deductions. Pinon saw the potential for a broader market in online sales, and eLayaway was born. "We had a fire under us because we wanted to be the first to get it to the market," Pinon says. Their premier position has paid off: The company is the layaway option at more than 30,000 online merchants. Tallahassee, Florida-based eLayaway reports 400 percent growth since January.