Dunn & Bradstreet, Others Hacked for Personal Data |  |
- Dunn & Bradstreet, Others Hacked for Personal Data
- 14 WordPress Content Marketing Plugins
- New SEC Rule Doesn’t Enable True Crowdfunding
- 6 Myths and Fallacies about Small Business Startup
- Wix.com Announces IPO Plans
- New Website Offers Valuable Information and Tips About Accepting Credit and Debit Payments
- GoDaddy Continues Acquisition Path – Acquires Ronin Invoicing
- The Need for Speed: Site Speed Optimization
- Samsung’s Upgraded 10-inch Note Tablet Coming Oct. 10
- Podcasting Microphone: Review of MXL Studio 1 Red Dot
| Dunn & Bradstreet, Others Hacked for Personal Data Posted: 04 Oct 2013 02:00 AM PDT
The major objective of many cyber attacks on websites and databases isn’t compromise of your technology at all. Its the private information you’ve stored on your customers, clients or anyone else with whom you’ve ever done business. That point was again made last week with news that three giant data collectors –Dunn & Bradstreet, Hire Right/Krebs and NexisLexis — have been hacked. The objective: Social security numbers, birth records and credit and background reports on millions of Americans. Access to this information was later sold on a website for 50 cents to $2.50 per record or $5 to $15 per credit or background check, reports KrebsOnSecurity. The security news website broke the story after a seven-month investigation drawing coverage from national media and investigation by law enforcement. Your Customers Could Also Be TargetsOf course, you don’t need to be a giant data aggregator to be targeted by hackers working to steal customer or client information. For example, smaller firms (250 employees or less) were the targets of 31 percent of all cyber attacks in 2012, up 18 percent over the previous year. Again, the targets of these attacks are often not the companies themselves but any information obtained from customers, in many cases during an online transaction. Information Companies Are at RiskAll three targets in the recent cyber attack dealt mainly in the aggregating of information, reports KrebsOnSecurity. For example, LexisNexis has the world’s largest database of legal and public records. Meanwhile Dunn & Bradstreet collects and licenses information on businesses and corporations. And Hire Right/Kroll provides background checks, drug and health screening for employees. What the companies all have in common is the collection of a huge amount of data. Do you collect customer data in online transactions? Do you use it to create your email list or when you add customer information to your customer relationship management software? If so, then your business could be a target for cyber criminals seeking private information on the people with whom you do business. Hacked Photo via Shutterstock The post Dunn & Bradstreet, Others Hacked for Personal Data appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| 14 WordPress Content Marketing Plugins Posted: 03 Oct 2013 04:00 PM PDT
If you're using WordPress for your small business website, you have access to thousands of WordPress content marketing plugins that can enhance your site's functionality and effectiveness. Nearly all companies engage in some form of content marketing. Whether you maintain a business blog, post articles on your website, use social media or combine these methods, there are WordPress content marketing plugins that can help you manage, promote and track your various content marketing strategies. WordPress Content Marketing PluginsIf you run a business blog, you can use the WordPress Editorial Calendar plugin (pictured below) to help you plan ahead for your posts and more.
The normal WordPress interface only shows one day of scheduled posts at a time, so this calendar plugin lets you zoom out and view the entire month—making it easy to see your schedule, add post ideas and drafts, and more. Another great tool for blog posts and new content is the Content Scheduler (pictured below).
When you write or edit a post, this plugin lets you specify a future date to review the content. You can set the scheduler to automatically take an action you specify on that date, including:
WordPress Plugins for Optimization and SharingWith a WordPress site for your small business, you can improve your search engine optimization (SEO) just by using plugins.
One of the highest rated plugins for this category is WordPress SEO by Yoast (pictured above). Easy to use, even for beginners, this plugin comes with several features to help you improve SEO. Another popular plugin for this category is the All In One SEO Pack, with both beginner and advanced features. Social sharing buttons are another easy way to improve your content marketing efforts. There are plenty of WordPress plugins that let you add customizable social sharing buttons to your site: WordPress Plugins for Your VisitorsContent marketing relies on having people read your content. These plugins help you improve the user experience and encourage visitors to stick around on your website:
Tracking Your Content Marketing EffortsFinally, there are plugins that make it easier to use traffic tracking and analytics programs with your WordPress website. One of the best for the free Google Analytics program is the Google Analyticator, which includes a dashboard graph widget. Which WordPress content marketing plugins do you use? Plugin Photo via Shutterstock The post 14 WordPress Content Marketing Plugins appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| New SEC Rule Doesn’t Enable True Crowdfunding Posted: 03 Oct 2013 01:30 PM PDT
The Federal Security Exchange Commission this week announced (PDF) changes in the rules for private sale of stock in startups and other companies. The rules will now make it easier to market these private shares by promoting them in email blasts or over social media…or even through media advertisement. Previously shares could only be sold to angel investors, VC (Venture Capital) funds or other investors with whom the seller has an established relationship. The new SEC rule change comes on the heels of last year’s Jumpstart our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. It’s aimed at, among other things, improving funding options for business, including better enabling crowdfunding. But if small businesses hoped the new SEC rule change would enable true crowdfunding, as most people understand it, they’re mistaken, the New York Times reports. What the New SEC Rule Change Doesn’t DoThe crowdfunding most people are familiar with involves sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Crowdfunding campaigns raise money from site visitors usually in exchange for an incentive. This could include anything from a thank you on the project website to crowdfunders getting a copy of the product, once developed. But the new SEC rule does not allow just anyone to buy a share of your company. Instead, investors must be accredited. That means with an income of $200,000 or more or with a net worth greater than $1 million, the New York Times reports. Of course, the rule does make it easier to sell shares privately. That means without filing with the SEC or publicly disclosing financials. And that is something that may interest smaller businesses. What do you think? Crowdfunding Photo via Shutterstock The post New SEC Rule Doesn’t Enable True Crowdfunding appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| 6 Myths and Fallacies about Small Business Startup Posted: 03 Oct 2013 11:00 AM PDT
Starting and running a business entails creating products and services. Then there’s hiring contractors or staff, marketing your business, managing work, and accounting for every expense. Aside from the business ownership myth that creating a business is somehow easier than working for someone else, a few other myths about small business ownership are still prevalent. Some of these are just outright silly, but others could really discourage you and hurt your business if you take them to heart. Small Business Ownership Myths and FallaciesAll It Takes is a Great IdeaIf this were only true, perhaps everyone could be an entrepreneur. But alas, it takes much more than ideas (great or otherwise) to make a successful business. Besides a great idea, you will also need to:
And these are just a few of things you’ll need to do to create a business that endures. Finding Investment Will Be EasyUnless Warren Buffet happens to owe you a big favor, not by a long shot! Many lending institutions require considerable personal collateral before considering a loan. This leads back to the old standbys of friends and family. We’ll assume for the moment, since you’re looking for funding options, that you’ve already investigated these possible sources. Another possibility is outside investment, including money from VC (Venture Capital) firms. But there are reasons VC funding may not be for you. In fact, only about 300 of the 600,000 businesses launched annually in the U.S. are venture funded. Look instead for alternatives like bootstrapping or using funds from an existing business to launch your small business. You Need an Office and Equipment to Get StartedSome of the biggest businesses today (Microsoft and Google, for instance) started without any fancy offices or equipment. It's one of those myths that will kill your business even before you start it thanks to the drain that these overhead costs bring to your expense sheet. For most types of businesses, you don't need anything except your computer and a table to put that computer on. A phone and an Internet connection are mandatory too. Even if your business really needs commercial space, warehouse storage or the like, you can lease this space instead of buying. You Should Do Your Own Accounting, Bookkeeping and PayrollTaxing authorities require you to report earnings, expenses and profits with precision. It's also critical for your business because your company’s well-being depends upon it. Your personal earnings will depend on how well you manage your finances, accounting and bookkeeping. It's a professional skill and it's a full-time job. If you try to do all of this yourself, who will you get to run your business in the meantime? Compliance, tax laws, corporate legalese, accounting and payroll are too much for a solo entrepreneur to handle alone. Leave it to the professionals. You’ll Need to Hire EmployeesMaybe…and maybe not. Identify the work you need to get done. Then figure out whether you can outsource it to the rest of the world. Telecommuting is on the rise. Elance – a leading freelance marketplace, and only one of the many out there — has more than 2 million freelancers from around the world. Together they reportedly earn more than $500 million annually. And that number continues to grow. All around the world, more and more people are becoming involved in freelancing and telecommuting work. Freelancers don't need a place to sit or employer provided equipment. No expensive Internet connections, electricity bills, ongoing training or hand holding necessary. Companies save about $10,000 per employee thanks to remote workers. Success is About Repeating a FormulaApple changed the way we thought about computing. Amazon changed the way we shopped. Nope, doesn’t seem like the most successful companies in the world have worried much about repeating formulas. Maybe small businesses shouldn’t either. In fact, in a rather well-known presentation on the subject, author and marketer Seth Godin insists there’s no point in creating the same old thing anymore. Average products for average people are forgettable. The key to success is to do something different – something everyone will notice. Dragon Slayer Myth Photo via Shutterstock The post 6 Myths and Fallacies about Small Business Startup appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Posted: 03 Oct 2013 08:00 AM PDT
Wix.com, the DIY website builder with more than 38 million users so far, has announced plans for an IPO. Wix.com frequently makes lists of top eCommerce solutions and top website builders for small businesses. In a registration statement filed this week with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company explained its services to businesses and individuals:
The company reports having $34.1 million in revenue as of June and will be seeking a maximum aggregate offering price of $100 million based on papers filed with the SEC. What Wix Offers UsersWix offers users a free drop and drag website design service and also some premium services at various monthly fees. The company also offers a curated App Market to help users design and maintain their Web presences. Those premium services include packages specifically targeted at small businesses and entrepreneurs including eCommerce. As of August 31, Wix claims it had 679,536 premium subscriptions, according to filings with the SEC. The company is based in Tel Aviv with offices in San Francisco, New York and Dnepropetrovsk. The post Wix.com Announces IPO Plans appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| New Website Offers Valuable Information and Tips About Accepting Credit and Debit Payments Posted: 03 Oct 2013 05:00 AM PDT Sponsored Post
If you are a merchant that accepts credit or debit, you have a lot of information to keep in your head about accepting payments, staying current on the latest technologies and program rules — not to mention watching out for fraud and loss issues. That's where the website from Community Merchants USA (CMUSA) comes in. We've been bringing you a series on accepting electronic payments and what you need to know, sponsored by CMUSA, so we thought we'd tell you a little about the CMUSA resource. Community Merchants USA, an educational nonprofit project of the electronic payments industry, has developed a:
The free site provides educational resources and tools to:
The site is aimed at any type of small businesses that accept credit cards and/or debit cards. These days that can include merchants, consultants, engineers, lawyers, technology companies, marketing agencies and other B2B companies and professionals — because clients and customers increasingly want to pay via credit or debit. That means you need to know about the best possible options and solutions for accepting cards. Let me highlight some features: Tools and Tips About Accepting Credit and Debit CardsNo matter what your question is about accepting payments, you should find your answer on CMUSA. The Savings and Tools page is a great place to start if you're new to accepting debit and credit card payments. But even if you've been accepting cards for years, you will likely find information that will deepen your understanding and help you get more value out of accepting cards. The infographics, videos and articles offer information about interchange and checkout fees, the latest payment technology, avoiding fraud, choosing a card processor and more.
Many business owners will find the card processor comparison tool powered by FeeSeeker helpful. You simply input a few basic facts about your business, and you receive a list of card processors, their transaction fees and estimates for monthly costs. The tool makes it easy to shop around to find the right fit for your business. You'll also find opportunities for more in-depth knowledge as well as networking on the CMUSA events page. The page lists live events across the country as well as free webinars about accepting card payments. Keep Up With TrendsThe world of card acceptance is always evolving, and you need to stay on top of things so you don't miss out on opportunities to grow. The CMUSA news page offers the latest electronic payment news from reliable resources such as Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal and even our very own Small Business Trends. You can also learn from the personal experiences and successes of other small business owners on the CMUSA blog.
If you're looking for a little more personal attention, you can Ask an Expert. This feature is exactly what it sounds like: CMUSA brings together a panel of electronic payments and small business experts, and you have the chance to ask them about accepting card payments or business in general. The expert will respond within 48 hours and CMUSA will post your question and answer on their website. "Share Your Story" and Build Your Online PresenceIf you're already in the "world of payment card acceptance," you can write about your experiences through the Share Your Story forum. The payoff for you is this: If your entry is chosen, it will be displayed on CMUSA's blog to give you extra visibility. Plus, your story could help other small business owners like you. Everybody wins. Participate on their Twitter and Facebook ChannelsCMUSA also maintains an active Twitter and a new Facebook page. If you are on Twitter and Facebook (I recommend your business have a presence on both), I suggest following CMUSA. They will update both channels with new developments. That way, you can stay up to date with new information. The Bottom LineCMUSA provides up-to-date information about the many facets of credit and debit card payments. It contains valuable tips for those just getting into card acceptance territory, as well as news and updated information for seasoned business owners who want to get the most value out of card acceptance. Because CMUSA is regularly updated and actively tended, this site is a helpful resource for staying on top of the latest developments in card acceptance. The post New Website Offers Valuable Information and Tips About Accepting Credit and Debit Payments appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| GoDaddy Continues Acquisition Path – Acquires Ronin Invoicing Posted: 03 Oct 2013 02:00 AM PDT
GoDaddy, the domain registrar and website hosting company, has acquired Ronin, an online invoicing application designed for small businesses, based in Mountain View, California. In a statement on its website, Ronin founder Lu Wang assures customers that nothing will change for the time being, noting, ”You can continue to access and use Ronin to track time and send invoices as you have been doing. You can expect an update by early January as to the future of the Ronin product.” Ronin, while not quite as well known as invoicing industry leaders such as Freshbooks, has been on our radar for at least 3 years. We covered it in our list of 50 small-business invoicing apps as early as 2010. It provides built-in time tracking, the ability to create estimates, and integration with PayPal and Authorize.net to allow clients to pay electronically. GoDaddy is wrapping Ronin invoicing in with the features of GoDaddy Bookkeeping, a cloud product that currently goes for under $10 per month. That product is the outgrowth of GoDaddy’s acquisition of Outright, also originally of Mountain View, in 2012. Outright was designed as a bookkeeping application for small businesses and entrepreneurs who didn’t want or need all the complexity of a full-blown accounting application, but wanted something simpler and streamlined. According to a statement by GoDaddy Senior Vice President, Business Applications Steven Aldrich (formerly the CEO of Outright before it was acquired), "One of our primary goals is to make the 'business of business' easy, and GoDaddy Online Bookkeeping does that by taking the headache out of knowing their numbers." Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This is one of those acquisitions that seems a natural. It makes sense for GoDaddy, Ronin and, most importantly, small business customers.
GoDaddy is in the process of transforming the company into a small business services platform — one that can serve the needs of small businesses beyond domain names and websites. GoDaddy has been on the acquisition trail for the past year. In addition to Ronin and Outright, it has also acquired M.dot, Locu and Afternic in the past 12 months. In 2011 GoDaddy was 65% bought out from founder Bob Parsons by equity firms KKR Capstone, along with Silver Lake Partners and Technology Crossover Ventures. GoDaddy is based in Scottsdale, Arizona and has 4,000 employees. The post GoDaddy Continues Acquisition Path – Acquires Ronin Invoicing appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| The Need for Speed: Site Speed Optimization Posted: 02 Oct 2013 04:00 PM PDT There are a number of factors that can impact your website speed – the number and size of graphical images, how JavaScript is incorporated and/or called for, whether cascading style sheets (CSS) are externally located or present in the HTML, how your site is coded and even your web server configuration. And while many webmasters are concerned with website speed as a search ranking factor, don’t forget about real live people who may be turned off and turned away by a lagging web site. No matter what kind of sales, promotions or content you have on your site, if the page is not loading fast enough, there’s a good chance that your visitors are going to navigate away and not come back. Businesses that optimize their sites for speed had 17% fewer complaints about response time than companies that did not. In the following infographic, Business.com looks at how website speed optimization can boost customer satisfaction as well as sales.
[Click image for full size version] The post The Need for Speed: Site Speed Optimization appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Samsung’s Upgraded 10-inch Note Tablet Coming Oct. 10 Posted: 02 Oct 2013 01:30 PM PDT
If you’re in need of the mobility of a tablet for business but aren’t impressed with either iPads or Microsoft’s latest crop of Surface devices, don’t worry. Imagine Samsung’s Galaxy Note 3 but as a full-feature tablet including a 10.1-inch screen size. That’s what we’re told to expect from the 2014 edition of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. The tablet is set to go on sale Oct. 10. The Android device is expected to start at $550. New Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 SpecsThe new Samsung Galaxy Note tablet:
S-Pen and Multi Window featuresThe S-Pen is more intuitive and has its own set of commands making it more functional than an ordinary stylus. Samsung has also improved the handwriting feature making the feel of note taking on the device closer to that of writing on a real notepad. A Multi Window feature will allow you to operate two different apps at the same time. This feature could allow you to surf the Web while jotting down notes from specific websites. It could also let you easily drag content or other files from one app to another. Image: Samsung The post Samsung’s Upgraded 10-inch Note Tablet Coming Oct. 10 appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
| Podcasting Microphone: Review of MXL Studio 1 Red Dot Posted: 02 Oct 2013 11:00 AM PDT
Podcasting is a popular and effective way to share your expertise. While newer social media methods dominate the news, audio and video continues to grow as a way to connect with a listener and viewer, that is, your customer. For some, recording audio from a simple computer microphone is acceptable, but as you increase your listener base you will want to get a dedicated, external podcasting microphone. The MXL Studio 1 Red Dot is a great USB-powered microphone at an affordable price. You can get their recording “kit” for around $100 on Amazon or your local electronics distributor. MXL is well-known and respected for its recording equipment. Podcasting Microphone: MXL Studio 1 Red DotI am not a sound expert, but I have used several external microphones over the years to record both audio and video (well, the audio portion of my videos). But I have to say that this little microphone kit is now one of my favorites. It comes bundled in a durable carrying case, which is a small point. But one that makes a lot of sense given that most podcasting types are probably also mobile types. The company sent me a media review unit for this post.
What I Really Like:
What I’d Like to See:
This microphone is made well, feels solid and has a professional look to it. I have used it mostly for recording voice-over type recordings, but also some musical work and it performs well.
At the $100 price point, it can serve the needs of most podcasters until they start to get to the level where they are using a mixer board and other professional-level equipment. I would add the wind screen (pictured left), by the way, to keep breath moisture away from the mic itself and to minimize popping when pronouncing P or T. The last thing I’ll mention is — it is plug-and-play, just as it says on the box. I plugged it into the USB-port and it was ready to go with Audacity, the open source audio program I use, in minutes. No setup required. Take a look at the MXL Studio 1 Red Dot if you’re in the market to upgrade your basic computer recording gear. Images: MXL The post Podcasting Microphone: Review of MXL Studio 1 Red Dot appeared first on Small Business Trends. |
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