Small Business Website Content Marketing Blog

Earlier this week I spoke at the International WWW2010 Conference in Raleigh, NC on the topic of The Future of Entrepreneurship on the Web. In honor of that topic in this newsletter I’ll share a few thoughts on what the web application revolution means for your business.

Whether you’re a first time business owner or a seasoned business executive, knowing how to get things done quickly and at a low cost is a skill that anyone can benefit from. A new generation of web-based, low cost, and easy-to-use tools is changing the way businesses are formed, organized, and promoted. In this short article I’ll show you how you can launch a new business, brand, or product line in one week for less than $1,000.

Incorporate a New Business: LegalZoom.com. ($250) When you’re starting a new business it’s always a good idea to incorporate a legal entity. Read on LegalZoom.com or take a free one hour phone consultation from an attorney in your area to learn which type of corporation is right for you.

Design a Logo: LogoWorks.com ($300). Every business needs a brand. Start with a logo created by a professional designer. LogoWorks.com has created thousands of logos and they can provide you with a few initial concepts within three days. You pick the concept you like best and then send them suggested revisions until it’s perfect.

Print Business Cards: LogoWorks.com ($150). A number of companies can help you with business cards but if you just got your logo created at LogoWorks you might as well have them work on the business cards as well. Or, to save even more money go to VistaPrint.com and add your new logo and colors to one of their business card design templates which start at just $20.

Build a Website: Preation.com ($0 upfront, $10/month). For some new businesses a website serves as a brochure or a reference point for prospects and customers to find information. But savvy entrepreneurs also use their website to market their business and attract new customers. Preation’s Eden Platform product allows you to build, update, and optimize a website for the search engines with no technical experience required.

Sell Your Product or Service Online: Volusion.com ($50 upfront, $25/month). Showcase your products and services on your website and then provide ‘buy now’ links to let your visitors actually make a secure purchase with a credit card.

Tell the People You Know: iContact.com ($0 upfront, $10/month). Reach out to your friends or existing customers, anyone that you already have permission to contact by email, and announce your new company. Easily create a professional looking email newsletter, send it to your existing contacts, and view a report of who opened the message and how many times it was forwarded along.

Tell Everyone Else: PRWeb.com ($80). Lastly, tell the world about your new business with a press release on the Internet. Web-based press releases will reach readers across the globe and can direct prospective customers directly to your website. You may also catch the interest of journalists who could contact you for more details so that they can include your business in an upcoming story.

Using this new breed of online applications and services any entrepreneur can launch and market a new business to a worldwide audience for $875 (including upfront fees and first month service fees). Just five years ago the average new company would have spent $25,000 or more for the same services and it would have required months of meetings and delays before the first dollar of revenue could be collected.