How to Tell If a Domain Name Is Valuable

Finding the right domain name for your website is a crucial aspect of beginning a successful online endeavor, regardless of the industry or niche you choose to pursue. The domain name is effectively your online brand, and is the name that your site visitors will remember when discussing your website with friends. Although the majority of excellent domain names have been registered already, there are still many available, and with the right techniques it is possible to find valuable domain names relatively easily. Unfortunately, the majority of novice webmasters choose domain names for all the wrong reasons. The following paragraphs describe the process of determining whether a domain name is actually valuable.
Keywords and SEO Attributes
The best way to find a domain name that carries intrinsic value is to look for names that contain popularly searched for keywords. These domains have the potential to generate web traffic instantly, with minimal effort required on behalf of the webmaster. Domain names that contain keywords are usually referred to as “exact match domains”, and are by far the most desirable. Exact match domains give webmasters the ability to instantly capitalize on organic search engine traffic, without having to perform all of the usual SEO tasks. Some domains that have recently expired also retain SEO attributes like backlinks and PageRank. Purchasing recently expired domains is also a good way to find valuable domains, as these domains were probably registered by webmasters for a specific reason.
Commerciality and Profitability

Another aspect to consider is the commerciality of the domain name. While finding exact match domains is a good first step, it wouldn’t make much sense if the keyword is not a “buying” keyword. In other words, some keywords are likely to be typed into a search engine when an individual is looking to purchase an item, while other keywords are more likely to be used when an individual is simply looking for free information. For example, the domain name “howtorideabike.com”would not be nearly as profitable as “qualitysportsbikes.com”, since the latter is quite obviously a keyword that an individual would use when they were looking to purchase a sports bike, and would therefore be capable of generating more advertising and sales revenue.

Memorability and Relevance

A domain name should also be memorable and relevant to the niche, as this will boost the return rates of site visitors. An alternative method to using exact match domains is to register a domain name that broadly covers the entire niche, so that the site can be populated with content that contains various keywords relative to that industry. This ultimately allows the webmaster to focus on a broader range of keywords and solicit more web traffic in the long-term. However, this method of domain registration usually requires more work on behalf of the webmaster, as they will have to put forth effort to establish the site as an authority site before it will rank effectively for a multitude of keywords.

Three Ways to Efficiently Market a Web Hosting Business

Reselling web hosting services can be a difficult task, especially for an inexperienced webmaster that has never successfully built a hosting business. However, by creating appealing and unique hosting plans with reasonable profit margins, promoting to targeted audiences, and proactively marketing your services through a variety of avenues, it is possible to establish a significant client base rather quickly. Unfortunately, most resellers are only able to generate a small amount of income each month, as they are unable to find a large amount of clients that are willing to trust their hosting services. If you’ve been experiencing similar problems, then you may want to consider the following three ways to efficiently market a web hosting business.
Creating a Blog with Quality Content

It is well known fact that the best way to generate consistent web traffic on a residual basis is to utilize the immense power of the search engines. To do this you’ll need to populate your web hosting site with quality content related to various hosting topics. By building a blog within your hosting site you’ll not only attract search engine traffic based on keywords embedded within your blogs articles, you’ll also provide useful information to your visitors and thereby establish trust and professionalism more effectively. In fact, if your blog posts are informative enough other webmasters and web surfers will link to your site on their blogs, and will link their friends to your pages when they are in need of information. To maximize your traffic generating efforts it is important to ensure proper keyword density and usage within each blog post.
Newsletters and Press Releases

Another way to proactively market your hosting services and expand your web presence is to publish high-quality press releases on popular websites. A press release is simply a news story that professionally describes the products and services offered by your hosting company. This ultimately improve search engine optimization efforts and generates a significant amount of traffic originating from the sites that the press releases are posted on. After soliciting a client base and collecting a large number of e-mail addresses it would be beneficial to market additional services to your pre-existing and former clients, as you can be sure that this is a targeted audience that will bring high conversion rates.

Diversifying Your Business through Several Websites

In the online world, each website that you own represents a new business opportunity – the ability to penetrate a new niche and begin creating a new revenue stream. With each revenue stream you can significantly increase your monthly and yearly income gradually. Unfortunately, if you operate your entire online business through a single website, you’ll be unable to adequately target multiple markets and optimize your site for keywords that are commonly searched for in search engines. As you continuously explore new niches and business opportunities online, you’ll undoubtedly be registering multiple domains. In fact, the average webmaster registers about 10 domains per year.
Recognizing the Importance of Multiple Domain Hosting
Although the majority of hosting providers offer plans that allow for the hosting of an unlimited amount of domains, it is still important to ensure that your hosting plan includes multiple domain capabilities. It is, however, important to note that although a plan may allow you to host an unlimited amount domains, this does not mean that you have access to an adequate amount of server resources to host more than several hundred domains simultaneously. Each website that you associate with your web hosting account consumes server resources, and therefore places an additional burden on your hosting Web server.
Security and Business Presence

By owning a network of sites you can efficiently build links to your main sites in each niche, and also have smaller websites within the same niche that are designed to funnel traffic to your heavily monetized sites. This can improve conversion rates by allowing you to introduce presell articles and concepts to your site visitors and it can also diversifying your search engine optimization efforts. You will also be able to create more leverage within each industry/niche because you’ll have a significant online presence, which ultimately results in thousands of unique visitors within your control on a daily basis. When new products or services are released in each industry you can take advantage of their popularity instantly using one of your many sites within your network.
If you are planning on selling products or services or accepting payments on your website then you need an SSL certificate. Therefore, it is important to make sure that your web hosting plan includes capability to host a wildcard SSL certificate (at SSL certificate can be used on my website), or you’ll have to purchase multiple web hosting plans in order to gain access to multiple SSL certificates

online courses Financing the business

Session 4: Financing the business

Money makes your business go. But don't try going to a bank to get it when you've just started in business. Banks normally make loans only to businesses with operating histories. This section will give you some alternatives, some strategies and some things to think about as you go about finding the money to make your business work.

As pointed out in the first session on picking a business, don't be discouraged by not having much money to start with. Many businesses can be started with no money at all. You can start small and humbly and grow one order at a time. Here is a sample, partial list of businesses you can start with very little cash: Businesses Requiring Little or No Money to Start.

Our first reminder is that personal savings should be considered the primary source of funds for starting a business. If you haven't started already, start now to begin accumulating cash through personal savings.

Also, don't overlook the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan guarantee programs available for start-up businesses. With a SBA guarantee program in hand, your bank will be happy to talk with you! Refer to the Resources section to get more information.


Finally, start your search for financing with a good credit rating. Most all sources of financing or credit have come to rely on a four-letter word to score your credit worthiness: FICO. FICO is a numeric method, using just three digits, to predict the likelihood of your paying your credit as agreed. FICO scores range from 365 (not good) to a high of 850 (great). The score evaluates your credit payment history, number of open accounts, overall credit balances and public records such as judgments and liens.


Generally, a FICO score above 680 will produce a positive response while a score below this will cause a lender to be cautious. A good way to obtain your own score is to enter "FICO" into a search engine. Several sources will charge a modest fee to calculate your score.   will provide you with several report formats and notify you of credit inquiries that could affect your score. Before seeking financing or credit, it is a good idea to know where your FICO score stands.



Or, how much can you reasonably expect to get? Refer back to your business plan. If it still doesn't answer the question, let's go step-by-step. In Session 11, Accounting and Cash Flow, you will learn how to predict future cash needs by using a cash flow control form.
The cash flow control form will spell out all of your sources of income and expenses. For example, some expense items might include:

Buying supplies and inventory while waiting to get paid
Paying payroll and rent
Buying equipment and fixtures
Getting a computer
Buying the business
Prioritize those areas where your options are limited to paying in cash, and review your alternatives where there may be another way. For example, it is not necessary to pay all cash for a delivery truck when you can rent or lease one. Next, review what might serve as collateral for your loans.

Unsecured Loans
Some credit is granted on an unsecured basis, such as credit cards, but most small business loans are secured by the assets of your business, your personal assets, or both. Unsecured means that there is no collateral granted for the loan. Examples of unsecured are

Credit cards
Unsecured lines of credit (like you get in the mail)
Friends or relatives
Secured Loans
                Rod Banks
Executive Vice President, City National Bank

Raising start-up money is one of the great hurdles in starting a business. Would you have any recommendations or some basic Do's and Don'ts as to how people should go about this great challenge?
Secured loans mean that there are assets pledged to secure the payment in the event you are not able to pay. Examples of this are
Computer lease
Home mortgage
Car loan or lease
Small Business Administration loan
Collateral
Common types of collateral are equity in your home, accounts receivable, inventory of the business and equipment. Lenders go through an evaluation of the collateral to determine how much they can lend. Some key variables as to what kind of loan terms you can get are

Number of years in business - This is your track record and is very important. Banks usually require three years while others are less stringent.
Size of your company and the amount needed - Financing institutions vary in the way they service the public. For example, you would probably not get a car loan and a large corporate loan at the same place. Do your research. Ask around. Get to the



Other Quick Tips

Needless to say, being well dressed and neat in appearance at bank meetings will reflect positively.
Most lenders (including the SBA) will want to see your business plan.
Keep your lenders informed on the status of your business: the good and the bad.
If you are unable to make a loan payment on time, call your lender in advance, advise him or her of the problem and request the extension you need. Explain the sources of repayment.
Virtually all lenders will do a personal savings and corporate credit check through a company called TRW or by other means. Be prepared to discuss any prior credit issues/problems. The best access to a lender is through a referral. Lending is a people business. Have your CPA, attorney, or friend introduce you to a lender.
The first thing that will spook lenders or investors is the fear you are "puff" rather than "substance." Avoid giving the impression of being an over optimistic, "pie-in-the-sky" operator.
As a start-up, do not plan to spend money on expensive entertaining. Your lenders will be more interested in knowing how their money is being used to grow your business.
Do not depend on a bank to loan you money to start a business. Most small businesses are funded by personal savings.
Make a shrewd appraisal to minimize your risks and to limit losses to a predetermined limit.
Your suppliers and vendors can be sources of financing. For example, if you need an illuminated sign for your store front, the company you contract with to make the sign may provide financing so you can make monthly payments rather than pay cash. Examples of financing from your suppliers include
Longer payment terms
Advertising and marketing assistance
Furnishing or financing of equipment, signs or inventory.
Advertising and promotional programs
Bartering, which is to trade by exchange one commodity for another, can provide a source of financing. For example, your advertisements in the local newspaper might be paid for by the bagels you make

Session 3: Home based business

online courses 
Session 3: Home based business

This session will review the do's and don'ts of operating a home based business and will also state the case for not quitting your job at all. But keep in mind that operating at home will still require business skills just like any other business. And it will be important to gain understanding in all the other sessions contained in the My Own Business course as well.

In the past, jobs provided most everyone with a dependable pay envelope and long-range security but not anymore. Along with diminishing retirement benefits, jobs are getting hard to find and hold onto. An alternative is to go into business, yet most people accustomed to working for a living do not have quite enough confidence to start a full-time business. Reasons include:

• Being risk adverse: a deep-rooted fear of failure and losses
• Lack of entrepreneurial zeal
• Lack of business training and experience

But the obstacles to success are not as difficult when you start a home based business. You can even start without quitting your job--as a "moonlight entrepreneur." You don't need a high level of sales to start with because your start-up costs are small. You can then take the time to build up sales. There is less to lose and more to gain. And you will have lots of company: according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, over 50% of all small businesses are home based.
Minimum investment
Operating from a spare bedroom or a garage, a business can be run with a minimum of investment and exited with a minimum of obligations and risks.
Maximized communication technologies
The Internet, computer and communications technologies now offer home based entrepreneurs the same tools for communications, accounting and marketing as are employed by multi-national competitors. Web-based businesses are especially appropriate for home based operations.
Start small and grow by compounding
You can begin in a very small way, starting with one order at a time and grow by the power of compounding. For example, your first six months sales may produce only $1,000 per month. But if you can continue growing by 20% during each ongoing six month period, in five years your annual sales will be over $370,000.
A potential built-in organizational structure
While home based businesses are not just for families, a family will become closer by spending time together, sharing problems, designing challenging projects and sharing work and school lives. King Solomon put it this way: "Two can accomplish more than twice as much as one. If one fails, the other pulls him up; but if a man falls when he is alone, he's in trouble. One standing can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer; three is even better, for a triple-brained cord is not easily broken".
What is the biggest difficulty you have encountered in running your business from home?
The "all-in-the-family" approach to a home based business offers some other powerful competitive advantages:
Common goals pull the family together.
You can utilize individual and collective family skills.
If you are still working at a job, family members can work during hours you're on the regular job.
It could be a better solution to "working spouses": why not work as a team at home?
The kids learn the benefits of entrepreneurship.
The business is set up with pre-established lines of authority and responsibility.
Both spouses can exercise individual business capabilities.
When all else fails (including your job) a family working together is the best survival unit.
Open to all ages
A home based business is open to all ages and walks of life, from high school students to the growing population of retirees for whom involuntary idleness is increasingly a problem. And since there is over-whelming data to demonstrate that activity promotes longevity, for many retired people working in a home business becomes the solution in curing debilitating unproductively. Also, the wisdom and experience of maturity dovetails with the structured prudence required to successfully operate a business without risking substantial assets.

A productive activity for the out of work
Unemployed workers can gain the satisfaction of being productive by putting their skills to work in a home based business that helps defray living expenses while they search for work. The search becomes the "job" and the business becomes their moonlight activity which can include family members. A family working together during difficult times will create bonds that will last for lifetimes.
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Dog behind the computer

online courses Session 1

Characteristics of a Successful Entrepreneur

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Guts: Guts mean you must have an entrepreneurial instinct, which is an overwhelming desire to have your own business. You must have the guts and dedication to be completely devoted to your goal. Incidentally, devotion to your goal is much more likely if you have a love for your intended business. Life is too short to start a business that doesn't give you satisfaction and joy. And, through good times and bad times, you will stick with something you love. As Solomon said, "There is nothing better for men (and women!) than they should be happy in their work-so let them enjoy it now."

• Brains: While appropriate educational credentials are important, entrepreneurial "brains" means more than scholastic achievements. To become a successful entrepreneur, you should have a working knowledge about the business you plan to start before you start it. Common sense, combined with appropriate experience, is the necessary brainpower. Prudence, follow through and attention to detail are very important.
• Capital: Every business needs money of your own plus sufficient cash to maintain a positive cash flow for at least a year. In a future session operating entrepreneurs will learn how to forecast future cash requirements through cash flow control. Many businesses can be started on a very small scale with a small investment. Then, as the business grows and you gain experience, cash flow from your business can be used for growth. In some cases, you don't need starting capital to hire other people because you might start by doing everything yourself. The "do it yourself" start is a good way to learn everything about your business and also makes you better qualified to delegate work to others later on. You can control your risk by placing a limit on how much you invest in your business.

Selection Strategy         

Operating the wrong business is the most frequent mistake that start-up entrepreneurs make. Here is a checklist to help you to evaluate if you are in a potentially successful one or to reassess the business you are in:

If you have not yet selected a business, take your time and wait for the business that is just right for you. You will not be penalized for missing opportunities. The selection process takes a lot of planning and your experience and complete knowledge is vital for your success.

Don't tackle or pursue businesses that may be too challenging. It is better to identify a one-foot hurdle than try to jump a seven-footer.

Try to identify a business that has long-term economic potential. Follow Wayne Gretzky's advice, "Go to where the puck is going, not to where it is."

A big mistake can be an error of omission. This means you may fail to see an opportunity that is right in front of you.

Keep in mind that as a general rule specialists do better than non-specialists. Wouldn't you be more inclined to take your sick cat to a veterinarian whose practice is limited to cats rather than to a general practitioner?

Operate a business that will grow in today's and tomorrow's markets. Many small retail stores are no longer in business because huge stores such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot provide more choices to the customer and often at a cheaper price.

Businesses to avoid are "commodity" businesses where you must compete entirely on price and in which you must have the lowest cost to survive. As Mr. Buffett has said, "In a commodity type business you're only as smart as your dumbest competitor."

Most service businesses have pricing power. Pricing power means that you will not need to have the lowest price in order to secure business. Your customers will be willing to pay a fair price for a better product or service.

Should you bet on a business you don't know when you can bet on a business you do know?

If you are manufacturing a product, consider the pros and cons of contracting out production to a low-cost supplier. In other words, operate a "hollow corporation." A "hollow corporation" is a company that subcontracts manufacturing and packaging.

Things to Watch Out For

Impatience

Do not let over confidence short-circuit you from analyzing your business carefully. You must not fear hearing the negative aspects; it is much better to be aware of them and face them early on.

The lure of high rewards. They will come if you have selected the right business and if you understand every aspect of the business before you open its doors.

Suggestions For People In Transition

More people than ever are victims, or are about to be victims, of downsizing: also known as "reduction in force", "made redundant", or "your job just went overseas". Scary questions begin to arise: Where do I go from here? How am I going to make my mortgage payment?

For a laid-off worker who doesn't have bright prospects for replacing his or her job, there is a possibility not to be overlooked - Why not go into business for yourself? For those still in jobs but fearful of losing them (the signs are usually evident), there is the possibility of starting a moonlight business now, while still working. 

online courses Session 2

The primary function of a business plan is to create a written outline that evaluates all aspects of the economic prospects of either a start-up or an operating business. We believe that preparing and maintaining a business plan is important for any business regardless of its size or nature. But it will not insure your success. If you maintain a correct assessment of the changing economics of your business, your plan will provide a useful roadmap as well as a financing tool. But if you have miscalculated the potential, then your business plan could become a roadmap leading to failure.

The My Own Business course contains sixteen sessions which cover the important areas of risk when operating a business. At the end of each session there is a business plan template which you can fill in and print off. Your overall business plan will be made up by compiling together these filled-in templates at the end of each session. (Session 2 contains templates for both Sessions 1 and 2.) Your resulting plan will focus specifically on your own business and goals. To begin, let's take a preview look at each of the 16 Business Plan Sections:

Search engines, libraries and bookstores provide sources that sell ready-made plans for specific businesses. But it is our recommendation that you be the sole author of your plan. Write out the plan yourself, in your own words.

Be aware now that most start-up entrepreneurs are reluctant to write down their business plan. It is, therefore, strongly recommended that you complete each segment of the plan as you progress through this course.

Do not expect that at of your plan's initial assumptions will be correct. Instead, look at your business plan as an ongoing assessment that you will frequently review and change to conform to actual operating experiences. For example, your cash flow projection should be updated frequently to insure ongoing liquidity (not running out of cash).

What to Avoid in Your Business Plan 

If you had to do it over again, what things would you do differently?

Place reasonable limits on long-term, future projections. (Long-term means over one year.) Before starting, it is better to focus on short-term objectives and modify the plan as your business progresses. Too often, long-range planning becomes meaningless because the business can evolve to be different from your initial concept. Once you are operating, your business plan focus will shift toward growing your business

Avoid optimism. In fact, to offset optimism, be extremely conservative in predicting capital requirements, timelines, sales and profits. Few business plans correctly anticipate how much money and time will be required. 

Avoid language or explanations that are difficult to understand.

 Don't depend entirely on the uniqueness of your business or even a patented invention. Success comes to those who start businesses with great economics and not necessarily great invention 

The Business Plan format is a systematic assessment of all the factors critical to your business purpose and goals. Fill in and print off the templates at the end of each session as you proceed through the course.

A Vision Statement: This will be a concise outline of your business purpose and goals.

The People: The most important ingredient for success will be you. So focus on how your prior experiences will be applicable to your new business. Prepare a résumé of yourself and one for each key person who will be involved with you in starting the business. Be factual and avoid hype. This part of your Business Plan will be read very carefully by those with whom you will be having relationships. Templates for preparing résumés are available on search engines under "resumes".

However, you cannot be someone who you are not. If you lack the ability to perform a key function, include this in your business plan. For example, if you lack the ability to train staff, include an explanation how you will compensate for this deficiency. You could add a partner to your plan (discussed in Section 4) or plan to hire key people who will provide skills you don't have. Include biographies of all your intended management.

Your Business Profile: Define and describe your intended business and exactly how you plan to go about it. Try to stay focused on the specialized market you intend to serve. As a rule, specialists do better than non-specialists.

Economic Assessment: Provide a complete assessment of the economic environment in which your business will become a part. Explain how your business will be appropriate for the regulatory agencies and demographics with which you will be dealing. If appropriate, provide demographic studies and traffic flow data normally available from local planning departments

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Eight Steps To A Great Business Plan

Here are steps that will produce an outstanding plan:

Review the two sample plans furnished in this session.

Focus and refine your concept based on the data you have compiled

Gather all the data you can on the feasibility and the specifics of your business concept.

Outline the specifics of your business. Using a "what, where, why, how" approach might be useful.

Include your experience, education and personal information.

Fill in the templates at the end of each session with clear language and realistic projections.

Print off the business plan templates from each session into a MS Word document.

You may wish to enhance your presentation with bar charts, pie charts and graphi