Insights for a Tablet Ready Website

Insights for a Tablet Ready Website
Twitter Relaunches its “Twitter for Business” Site
Customer Relations Blunder? Google Causes Stir Over Easter Doodle
4 Steps To Getting Rid Of Your Business Dependencies
Business Owners Prefer Sick Employees to Computer Problems [Infographic]
10 Small Business Tax Deductions You Shouldn’t Ignore

Posted: 03 Apr 2013 02:00 AM PDT

tablet ready website

When you read statistics about the growth of the mobile Web, you may be thinking about an iPhone or other small smartphone. But what mobile web figures often include are statistics about tablets — those hybrid mobile devices that are larger than smartphones, but smaller and more portable than laptop computers.

And when it comes to your website, you want to make sure you have a tablet ready website. An increasing number of your site visitors will be viewing your site through a tablet — versus a regular computer.

Designing a tablet ready website is something that involves special considerations given the size and format of tablet screens, and how humans use tablets.

Has this happened you? You're out and about, and need to access a website. You pull out your tablet, load up the URL and it's just not right. Maybe the page is formatted terribly. Maybe it's just a mobile view that doesn't cut it compared to the computer experience. Regardless, in a rapidly evolving technological age, these types of mistakes just don't cut it anymore.

Kevin McNally, the CEO and Founder of Interactive Palette, knows that tablets are quickly becoming a bigger market, and what millions of Americans use to access the Internet every day. When asked about the subject, McNally had much to say about it. He comments that often, much of what appears on the Web is simply just too much for a tablet display to handle. Therefore, designers should focus on a quick-loading and clean-looking mobile design that is specific to tablets.

Further, when browsing a tablet, consumers don't have the ease of control that a mouse or trackpad allows for. Designers should keep this in mind as well, and design to accommodate for the human finger.

When designing for tablets, often many designers want to incorporate Flash browser plugins and surplus software, as they would for their computer counterparts. McNally stresses to simply leave that all behind. HTML5 is the simplest route, and it will work well across many different platforms. Also, while the grid system of most websites works at roughly 960 pixels, resolutions should be designed at around 1024 pixels for tablets to allow for better, smoother displays.

Tablets, over the past couple years, have rapidly become a vast market to expand into. iPads, Kindle Fires, Galaxy Tabs have all come to create a new kind of 'fold,' says McNally. He notes that designers must remember to keep orientation in mind when designing for tablets. Often, what looks spot on in portrait mode will look stretched or distorted in landscape, and likewise it is important that the vital information of your Web page not be covered when switching orientation, or that consumers not need to swipe and scroll to find that information.

Finally, McNally points out the easiest way to ensure that your Web page fits the bill for tablets: testing. Test your design on as many tablets as possible to be sure of its viability, that the resolution and orientation are consistent, and that it won't fail the "touch test." If it doesn't respond to your fingers, it's not much use being loaded onto a tablet.

The future of business and technology is changing, and it's tantamount that companies change with them. Kevin McNally knows all too well the importance these emerging technologies have on how consumers access the Web and makes a clear-cut case for how designers should begin to view the tablet space. Either they should bear in mind how they appear on the widening tablet market, or they had better get used to being a thing of the past.

A version of the above article was originally published on SmallBizTechnology and is included here with permission.

Tablet Photo via Shutterstock

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Twitter Relaunches its “Twitter for Business” Site

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 04:00 PM PDT

There may be more than 200 million registered users on Twitter and it may be among the fastest-growing social media networks – but small business owners may not be taking advantage of what it has to offer them.

Twitter wants you to know what the site can do for your business. Twitter recently relaunched its Twitter for Business microsite. The site is designed to help business owners reach their audience and uses the line “Grow your business, 140 characters at a time.”

Lest you are cynical and think the relaunch is solely about advertising options — it’s not. It’s about more. Advertising is one of the options open to businesses, true, but Twitter is also trying to convey how businesses organically can use its platform and engage with customers and the public.

In conjunction with the release of the remodeled site, Twitter has created a two-minute video. Matt McGee of MarketingLand gives the video high praise, noting that while the video is basic and for beginners, it is “the most effective messaging the company has offered yet for businesses — not just why, but also how to do business on Twitter.”

The revamped Twitter for Business site provides sections on promotion including advice on how to launch your product using Twitter and how to use events as a way to engage. There are also pages on how to build your community and specifics on how to market using Twitter. The site also contains an extensive collection of success stories from both large businesses and organizations like Airbnb and The American Red Cross, and small businesses like retailer Alter and Hampton Coffee Company.

The new Twitter for Business site is the latest in a recent string of innovations by microblogging platform Twitter, designed to benefit small businesses. Starting in January, Twitter added its new Vine App for sharing video, an analytics tool for Vine, making the app even more helpful for business, and a new API for advertisers.

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Customer Relations Blunder? Google Causes Stir Over Easter Doodle

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 01:30 PM PDT

google easter doodle

Business owners know the importance of maintaining good customer relations. That’s why when businesses intentionally upset their customer base, it’s time to take a closer look at the dynamics involved. Google created its own controversy this past Sunday — Easter Sunday — by honoring Mexican-American labor icon Cesar Chavez in the Google Easter doodle.

A “Google doodle” is when Google temporarily replaces its logo with symbols to reflect a holiday or something else of note that occurred on that date. Normally, Google’s doodles that are featured on the search engine’s homepage do not cause such a stir, but the decision to honor Chavez instead of the holiday has some users expressing their outrage, short-lived or not. In the doodle, the second “O” in Google is replaced with a cutout of the late labor leader’s profile (see image above of the screenshot of Google.com’s home page on Easter Sunday).

Google chose March 31 as the appropriate time to honor Chavez, the co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, now known as the United Farm Workers Union. The decision has enraged some Christians and others who feel Google ignored the holiday, but has some celebrating the honor bestowed upon Chavez. March 31 was declared Cesar Chavez Day by President Barack Obama back in 2011.

The United Farm Workers Union is clearly pleased with the decision to honor Chavez:

check out google.com. Google is marking Cesar Chavez Day by making Cesar the google doodle! fb.me/1CCmV5klJ

— United Farm Workers(@UFWupdates) March 31, 2013

Others not so much:

RT & call Google now @ 202-346-1100 if you agree Christ is more important than Cesar Chavez! dld.bz/cuxuX twitter.com/ForAmerica/sta…

— ForAmerica (@ForAmerica) April 1, 2013

Others seemed confused over which Chavez Google was honoring. Buzzfeed.com found 15 people (and there are plenty more) who thought Google was honoring the late Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, with its doodle.

Meanwhile, Google’s closest rival, Bing, chose a much more traditional route, selecting a background of painted Easter eggs over a labor and civil rights leader for its landing page on Easter Day.

Some believe Google’s actions say much about its position in its industry.

In a post for Slate.com, the online publication’s business and economic correspondent Matthew Yglesias wrote:

The doodles are, obviously, not significant in and of themselves. But Google’s ability to indulge the whims of its staff rather than cater to mass opinion on them is a highly visible signpost of its extremely strong market position. The same phenomenon is why it can plow search-related operating surpluses into speculative ventures from Android to Glass to self-driving cars.

Perhaps it was just attention that Google was seeking with the doodle and the company doesn't believe that its fleeting drawing will impact its business, but is it ever a good idea to take your customers’ sentiments for granted?

On the other hand, others have suggested Google may simply have a firmer grasp on the changing demographics of its customer base, the reason for its continued dominance in the market place.

It is telling that California, Texas and Colorado each officially celebrated Cesar Chavez day yesterday.

NBC's Stephen A. Nuño wrote on Easter that Google's decision should be seen as an acknowledgment of that change.

Whatever you believe about the demographics, it’s clear that successful businesses must know their customers in order to survive. Thumbing your nose at them is not the best approach.

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4 Steps To Getting Rid Of Your Business Dependencies

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 11:00 AM PDT

business dependencies

I’m no computer or programming expert, but I recently came across some articles about a concept from computer science called Service Oriented Architecture (SOA).

There was a reference to the difference between what are called “real dependencies” and “artificial dependencies”. In my non-computer-expert world, I realized this was a powerful concept when applied to small businesses—because every business has many business dependencies that hold them back.

To give a quick summary, a real dependency is where one computer system depends on the output (features and functions) of another system. The second system truly needs whatever output the first system creates. And, if it doesn't get it, then the whole process grinds to a halt. It is a basic reliance of one system on another system that cannot be eliminated.

An artificial dependency is a restriction or limitation placed on a system that was created by the system architects. In other words, it is only a barrier because someone made it one.

Here's a "non-computer" example to demonstrate the difference:

Suppose you travel to a foreign country. Depending on the country, you may need to take along a "power adapter" so you can operate your computer, hairdryer, etc. given a particular country's size and shape of electrical plug. Not every country has the same shape and size electrical outlets that all our appliances use.

In this case, the real dependency is your need to get power. That is the actual end result that you want.

The fact that you need various adapters to fit various size outlets is an artificial dependency. It is a restriction created by the "provider" of the solution that limits your ability to get the end result (the electrical engineers in the country designed a particular standard of wall plug that you must conform to).

Now think about your business. Are you creating artificial dependencies for your customers and prospects?

The answer is a resounding yes. Every business has them. It’s just that you haven’t realized them for what they are before now.

4 Steps To Get Rid Of Your Business Dependencies

This is a very powerful concept that you can harness in your business. To take advantage of this concept created by computer gurus, follow these four simple steps (it’s best if you enlist the thoughts and energies of your team members for this as well):

On a blank piece of paper, identify each major element of your business process. Think about how a customer or prospect first comes into contact with your business, and the journey they take toward becoming a valuable repeat customer. For example, one of the ways would likely be—let’s say it’s them calling in to your business and setting up a meeting with you to find out how you can help them.
On the left side of the paper, for each of those elements, identify the real dependency. What is the actual "end result" that particular element of your business is supposed to create? Be prepared. Although it sounds easy, sometimes this seemingly simple step actually turns out to be really tough. Following our example from above, the real dependency is getting that prospect to actually come in for that initial meeting with you.
On the right side of the page, list ALL (and I mean EVERY—because there's likely to be a bunch) of artificial dependencies. List all the things that get in the way and slow down or complicate the achievement of the real dependency you've identified for each element. In our example, one artificial dependency would be that the person who answers the phone in your business does not have instant access to your calendar to book the meeting—instead they have to take a message and have you call the person back.
Once you've slugged it out that far, pick a few artificial dependencies and develop some plans and action steps to eliminate them. As you eliminate them, pick more from your list and get to work on eliminating those. Keep going and see how many you can eliminate.

What you will find, over time, is that you will have more fun and less stress, and you will improve your financial results.

Your prospects and customers will love it. And so will you.

Recycle Concept Photo via Shutterstock

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Business Owners Prefer Sick Employees to Computer Problems [Infographic]

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 08:00 AM PDT

[Click for full version]

A recent survey has found that most small business owners would rather deal with sick employees calling off on Mondays than a laptop or some other device that’s on the blink.

Brother International Corp. just released the results of its annual Small Business Survey and found that 75 percent of small business owners would rather deal with the absence of an employee than a technology issue. Yes, that’s right: small business owners apparently believe that a down computer disrupts the business more than a down employee.

Another finding: business owners were sure that a malfunctioning computer or any other of the myriad tech devices had cost them a business opportunity or caused them to miss a deadline, the study notes.

More technology may not be the answer — it may be part of the problem. As more devices are added, business owners have become swamped dealing with their specific technological issues. Brother notes that 66 percent of small business owners described themselves as “overwhelmed” by the amount of technology and almost all (86 percent) said that production at their business has slowed in the past year because of a technology malfunction.

“The results emphasize the importance of delivering reliable and easy-to-use products to promote a productive working environment,” Brother Marketing VP John Wandishin said.

While tech hardware continues to hamper business production, many small business owners said they weren’t entirely familiar with cloud computing and 42 percent of Brother’s study participants said they weren’t using any form of it. Just 28 percent said they “completely understand the concept of cloud computing.”

More than half of small business owners are spending more money on technology, too. Brother's study found that 51 percent responding to its email survey said they make technology investments in their company a top priority, more than machinery or facilities spending.

Read the survey results here (PDF). The survey polled 500 U.S. business owners at companies with 100 or fewer employees between February 21st and March 4th, 2013. Brother is based in Japan, but has had a presence for over half a century in the U.S. (Brother is a recent sponsor of BizSugar, owned by Small Business Trends.)

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10 Small Business Tax Deductions You Shouldn’t Ignore

Posted: 02 Apr 2013 05:00 AM PDT

small business tax deductions

Tax season is here, and it's time to rifle through your business expense records and make the most of any legitimate small business tax deductions you can claim to lower your overall taxable income. Unfortunately, many taxpayers who qualify for a variety of deductions—most notably the home office deduction—aren’t claiming them.

To help you claim the deductions you deserve, below are 10 small business tax deductions that may apply to your business. For more information specific to your business, always consult with your tax professional.

10 Small Business Tax Deductions You Shouldn't Ignore

1. Health Care Tax Credit

If you provide insurance to your employees, under The Affordable Care Act eligible small businesses can claim a tax credit of up to 35%, if you meet the following criteria:

You have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees.
Your average annual wages paid out are below $50,000.
You contribute 50% or more toward employee health insurance premiums.

2. Business Use of a Personal Vehicle

If you use your personal car, truck or van for business travel, you can write off the business portion of vehicle usage by either:

Deducting your actual costs.
Deducting business mileage based on an IRS-set rate. For the 2012 tax year, the rate was $0.55 per mile for the first half of the year. (The IRS recently released its standard mileage rates for 2013, which show slight increases from the current 2012 rates.)

You can also deduct parking and tolls. Remember to keep good records of all transactions. Make note of your mileage using your odometer or a GPS device, as well as the date of the trip, destination and purpose.

3. Business Travel and Entertainment Expenses

Small business owners may be able to claim most of the costs of doing business on the road. These include the cost of air, train or bus tickets, lodging, taxis, 50 percent of meal and business entertainment costs, dry cleaning and laundry costs, business-related calls and tips.

There are some limits to what you can deduct. For example, if you travel with a spouse or person other than an employee then you can't deduct their expenses. There are also some restrictions on overseas travel deductions, cruise ship travel and attending conventions.

4. Home Office Deduction

Over half of all U.S. businesses operate out of the home, and many (not all) may be eligible to claim the home office deduction. The caveat here is that you can only claim the deduction (which may include phone bills, Internet fees, insurance, rent and more) if an area of your home is used exclusively and regularly for business use.

Working from your dining room table one day and from the den the next does not constitute exclusive and regular business use of that area. Read more about the home office deduction and look out for a simpler claims process which will make it easier to file for the deduction in 2014.

5. Start-Up Costs

Start a business in 2012? You can claim up to $5,000 of business start-up and $5,000 of organizational costs incurred before you opened your doors. The $5,000 deduction is reduced by the amount your total start-up or organizational costs exceed $50,000. Any remaining costs must be amortized.

6. Professional Fees and Training Costs

Any fees associated with the following are fully deductible as a cost of doing business:

Training (classes, seminars, certificates, books etc.)
Professional organization membership fees.
Fees for lawyers, tax professionals or consultants (although any work related to future years must be deducted over the life of that service/use).

7. Equipment and Software Purchases

The Section 179 deduction allows you to fully deduct the cost (up to $500,000) of assets purchased in 2012, including computers, furniture, certain business software, vehicles and manufacturing equipment. A new "Bonus Depreciation" provision also allows you to depreciate an additional 50% of the cost of certain property after you've taken the Section 179 deduction and in addition to the standard depreciation deduction. IRS.gov offers more information about Section 179.

8. Moving Costs

Did you move in 2012 as a result of your business? If your new workplace is 50 miles further from your home than your previous workplace, you may be able to deduct certain moving costs on your individual 1040 tax return.

9. Hiring Veterans

Did you hire a veteran in 2012? You may be eligible to claim a tax credit. Under the Vow to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, if you hired a veteran who had been unemployed for at least four weeks, you can claim a credit for 40% of the first $6,000 in wages (up to $2,400).

If you hire a veteran who's been unemployed for at least six months, the credit goes up to 40% of the first $14,000 of wages (up to $5,600).

10. Charitable Donations

Charitable contributions can qualify as tax deductions against your business' annual tax liability. Cash or other monetary contributions may be tax deductible as long as they are not set aside for use by a specific person. Contributions must also be made during the tax year to be eligible for a deduction, regardless of the accounting method you use.

When you file your claim you'll need to use Form 1040, Schedule A and itemize each deduction. You can also deduct the fair market value donations of property, including inventory and any costs associated with volunteer work such as the costs for hosting a fundraising event. This guide from the IRS explains more about the charitable giving tax deduction.

Tax Deductions Photo via Shutterstock

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