Simply Junior

Finding a hosting provider for your website is not somewhere that you want to cut corners. While it might seem like a simple enough process, there are a lot of factors that go into making a good web host. Not all companies that seem like good solutions will live up to your expectations or be able to offer the services that you need. Before you make a decision on any hosting provider, you need to ask yourself several questions.

What Level of Hosting Do You Need?

The first question that you need to ask yourself is what level of hosting you actually require. You’ll find a wide range of discount plans available for an incredibly low price. However, you need to understand that these usually come with no assistance at all – you’re on your own. That’s a perfectly workable scenario for those who know what they’re doing, but if you’re a newcomer to the world of web hosting, that is really no solution at all. If that sounds like you, then something a bit more than basic hosting is needed.

Do You Need a Dedicated Server?

In most budget hosting situations, your website will share server space with others. That allows the host to offer lower prices than if everyone had their very own server. With that being said, some websites do require a considerable amount of storage space – extensive product catalogues, custom databases and other things can really eat up storage space. A dedicated server might be an ideal solution for you, but it will cost you more in the long run. However, that higher cost comes with some significant advantages for a business owner.

?Do You Need Managed Hosting?

For business owners who know very little about web hosting or want to be completely hands-off, a managed hosting plan can be an ideal solution. Usually, these are only offered with dedicated servers. However, the higher price leads to significantly better convenience, as well as saving time and hassle. With a managed hosting plan, the web host that you choose will maintain your site, apply all updates, manage security, apply patches and more. In short, they take care of everything needed so all you need to do is concentrate on running your business.

Consider Longevity

These days, it seems like a new hosting provider pops up every five minutes. That explosion of providers is due directly to advances in technology that make it cheaper to get involved. However, it’s highly advised that you choose a company that has a decent history in the industry. While there is nothing inherently wrong with a startup firm, working with a company that has a verifiable track record of success, a long list of satisfied customers and a reputation for quality is the best option. Doing anything else puts you at risk for serious problems. Always choose a web hosting provider that has proven they have what it takes to remain in business in this very competitive industry.

Every small business will eventually feel the heat and find the need for expansion. The time will come when the small plans that worked when first starting the business may no longer be sufficient.

Understanding What to Expand

The buzzword ‘business expansion’ may be catchy to outsiders but as a business owner you need to understand precisely what to expand in order that the scarce resources that you do have are optimized.

1. You feel increasing personnel helps increase production to meet growing demand.

2. Maximized labor can’t cope with the market demand and you have identified that automating business operations would both reduce costs and increase efficiency.

3. International demand cannot be met as the business is operating now. Diverse markets need localized service points.

4. You need to keep more inventory on hand because price fluctuations don’t allow just-in-time procurement. You are contemplating using a warehouse facility for storage.

5. Your supply chain is hard pressed; it is difficult to manage with the existing logistics operation.

The need for expansion can be a combination of above and you know well that you can hardly push it any further without expanding.

Planning Your Business Expansion

Having identified the exact nature of the expansion needed, the next step is careful planning. Let’s examine each of the above cases.

1. Increasing personnel doesn’t require increased funds. Payroll can be taken care of from the increased revenue from the business.

2. Automated machinery calls for extra skills for operating it. Ideally, you would train a few of your best people to operate the machines or hire extra personnel. Normally, the company that was used to procure the machinery will also provide training as needed. Y

3. Opening localized service points need not be by buying or renting real estate unless you have explored the possibility of outsourcing. This is where having a website comes in handy. The Internet is by far the best way to reach overseas clients. Also, using this method, your business will be open 24/7.

4. Constructing or leasing a new warehouse will increase your asset base but not without a huge investment. You should critically analyze if you can get by with the existing space, maximized by using retractable storage racks, thereby creating more space within your existing warehouse.

5. There is no substitute for augmenting logistics. Your options are either contracting out the supply chain or managing logistics yourself.

Knowing when and how to expand your business is essential for continued success. If you find that you are struggling to keep up with demand, and certain operations are continually pressed for time, then expansion is an option that you will want to carefully consider.

Servers were a mystery to me until just a few years ago. As far as I was concerned, servers were people who waited on you in restaurants.

Fast forward a few years after I was shown how to turn on my computer, I learned that web sites needed a home, better known as a web host. And later my introduction to the term computer term “server” was realized.

Then my lack of computer knowledge was challenged because of there being two types of servers. Shared and dedicated servers.

I now know that most small businesses use a shared server. This simply means the business pays a small fee to share a server with other businesses.

However when those small businesses become larger businesses, they require an upgrade so to speak, to what is known as a dedicated server.

A dedicated server only hosts one web site.

This means the business owner can afford to bring a lot more traffic to his site, since he isn’t sharing space with other business owners anymore.

How can you make money with dedicated servers?

Well with the additional space dedicated servers have, you can use the space to create affiliate websites. Which could produce affiliate sales.

There is also revenue that could be generated through ads on the affiliate websites.

You could also sell products from websites that you personally hosts on your dedicated servers.

Another way to make money with dedicated servers is by hosting other company websites.

So whether you choose to host your own group of websites or to host other websites, you can make a lot of money on the internet with dedicated servers.

In the value based business, the successful business owner or manager concentrates on the unique value that his or her business offers to its customers. This ‘uniqueness’ is discovered only through depth of thought and rigorous analysis of the reason and purpose that one is in business for in the first place.

It involves listening intently to what customers are saying and understanding their particular needs. Engaging customers at this level creates a close bond between the business and the customer. It creates opportunities for working with and through customers in a way that delivers results that are mutually agreeable.

Deep critical reflection is demanded to arrive at effective decisions that will deliver what the customer really wants, and not just what we may want to sell to them.

The three key elements that must be adopted to ensure customer focus, create value and transform both the value-based business and its relationships with customers are:

Adopt a ‘Customer Needs’ Driving Force

The mindset required for establishing a ‘customer needs’ approach must be imbedded in an understanding of the vision of the business, through a clearly articulated statement about what drives the business.

Such a driving force must be chosen by the business owner as part of setting the strategic agenda of the business. This then ensures that strategic choices are aligned to business capabilities, customers and markets and that these are properly differentiated and segmented within small business plans.

Adopting a ‘customer needs’ driving force results in products and services being developed by the value-based business around the current and future needs of its customers.

Build Strong Customer Relationships

Helping others get what they want builds strong customer bonds.

Use your business capabilities to help your customer strengthen their position in the market. This means tailoring your products and services to the needs of the customer, within the bounds and context of a mutually beneficial and trusting relationship.

This approach also applies to the internal environment of the business. The value chain of the business that extends to customers in the external environment begins in the internal environment as a series of processes.

People accomplish these processes. Seeing employees as customers, along a continuum of service, focuses business activities at the highest level in all its dealings with each other and external customers.

“What do you want to achieve?” and “How can we help you achieve what you want?” should always be the first words out of our mouths in addressing the needs of the people around us, both in our business and to the customer in the external world. Such questions display a degree of emotional intelligence in business.

Customer requests, feedback and complaints provide the opportunity to improve products and services by incorporating the valuable information that they contain.

Develop Strategic Partnerships, Alliances and Networks

Successful business owners join up processes between their companies and those of their customers in order to build an interdependent network of relationships that delivers greater returns to everyone.

When we work with and through others, we add value to what is on offer. This continuum of service and product delivery expands the reach of the value-based business and the customer.

Strategic partnerships, alliances and networks must never be entered into lightly. They must be built on a firm foundation and a shared value base. This is critical to ensure that products and services that are offered are not degraded or watered-down, in any way.

When forming such relationships it is paramount that the Mission, Vision and Values of the business are not compromised in any way. A partnership matrix framework that aligns these elements between prospective partners must be generated, as part of the business policy development process.

Business alliance and partnership relationships must be evaluated diligently before they are entered into. They require sound skills for negotiation and must be reviewed regularly as part of the business planning cycle.

Present alternatives help small business owners save a noteworthy amount of money in tax-deferred small business retirement plans. If you’re seeing or running your own business, think big when it comes to saving for retirement. Oftentimes with all the excitement around setting up a company, one tends to forget about retirement plans for them and their employees. Don’t disregard setting up an own retirement plan because fortunately, there are major benefits to small business retirement plans that compensate the time it might take to set one up.

Small business retirement plan does not only allow a business owner to sock away a considerable amount for the future, but it also takes a sizeable tax deduction as well. Small business retirement plans can help fill in any personal savings gaps toward a more financially secured future. What are the benefits of getting small business retirement plans today for business owners? First, they may be able to take a tax deduction just for saving money for the future, secondly, all earnings on their investments grow tax-deferred until withdrawn, and they can include their spouse if they work together and also have a major advantage to offer employees nowadays or when their business gets bigger.

And what about the employees of your small business, are you finding it hard to have savvy employees working for you? The problem might just be on the small business retirement plan presented; it might not be appealing to your employees. So where does one start? Here is a rundown of small business retirement plans option for your employees, based on 2006 rules and requirements, the best plan however, depends on ones needs:

Simplified Employee pension Plan (SEP IRA)

For a handful of employees and looking for a plan that is really low cost and low maintenance, consider this plan. The SEP IRA is funded with tax-deductible employer contributions that cover all eligible employees. Contributions from employees are not allowed. There is no “plan document” and filing annual reports with IRS are not needed. Contributions can differ from year to year, so if your business hits the lean, you are not locked in.

Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE IRA)

These retirement plans are good for your employees because they allow employee contributions. They command an employer match, only problem is it will not allow you to sock away much for yourself. Annual contributions for 2006 are generally restricted to $10,000 plus an employer matching contribution. If you have a small business with less than ten people, then these small business retirement plans for your employees is a good way to get started.

There are many other small business retirement plans offered for both the owner and employees that can do a lot of good to the business. Also remember that in addition to small business retirement plans, you can also fully fund an IRA and create catch up contributions if you are fifty years old or older.