Free Website Content - 2007 New Years Resolutions
Webmaster and Small Business Resolutions
for 2007
New Years Resolutions
Each and every year people around the world mark the first
day of the New Year with resolutions. They resolve to do
a wide variety of things, and while few resolutions are
actually kept, the tradition is a hallmark of the holiday
each year.
Experts suggest that people should make lifestyle
changes rather than resolutions. I am a bit more pragmatic.
Tackle a task you know that you can succeed at. Do not bite
off more than you can chew, and you will be one of the few
who manages to keep their resolutions. Here are a few suggested
resolutions for webmasters and small business owners:
Webmasters Resolutions:
1. Prune Those RSS Feeds
Large feeds are slow to load, its time to prune those RSS
feeds and remove the old contents. Dated feed items can
be archived as an HTML web page, but should be removed from
the actual feed, to ensure that it loads quickly.
2. Update Copyright Notices
Make an effort to update the copyright notice on your website.
A current date will reassure customers that your online
storefront is active.
3. Update Meta Tags
Each and every web page on a website should contain a unique
title and description. Update and optimize meta tags to
avoid excessive use of keywords. Meta tags should be accurate
and concise without redundancy and recurring words.
4. House Cleaning
Update old links and remove any links that are no longer
valid. HTML is a markup language and without constant maintenance
it is easy to have a page with an unclosed tag. While some
web browsers make allowances for poorly formed HTML, it
is important to realize that not all do. Therefore, it is
crucial that you take a look at the HTML behind the web
page and make sure that it is properly formed.
5. Try Something New
Pick a technology, be it podcasting, RSS, or social
bookmarking. Resolve to try or resolve to learn something
new. Businesses stagnate without innovation. Be creative
and willing to experiment a little.
Small Business Resolutions:
1. Have a Plan
Small businesses often rely on just a handful of
individuals and few small businesses have contingency plans
if key individuals are unavailable for any length of time.
Cross train employees and document procedures so that your
business will survive regardless of the circumstances.
2. Prepare a Budget for 2007 and Stick
to It.
Determine where and how you intend to spend your business'
hard earned cash in the coming year. Too many small businesses
fail to follow a business plan. Build a budget and stick
to it.
3. Define Yourself
As a small business it is important to know your
strengths and weaknesses. Identify your strengths and reinforce
those strengths in your communication with your customers
or potential customers. Be aware of any weaknesses or deficiencies
in your small business, and do not over commit. Use this
knowledge to stay competitive with other businesses.
4. Use Metrics
It is difficult to know what works and what does
not if you are not tracking metrics. Measure the results
of advertising campaigns, track website visitors and use
metrics to determine what works for your business.
5. Communicate
Communicate with your customers more. Few small
businesses understand the value of communication, or realize
what they can learn from past, current and potential customers.
Communicate and you might learn important information about
your business. The unique perspective an outsider can provide
about how they are using or product, or what interested
them about your business is invaluable.
Resolutions are easier made than kept. In
2007, consider paring down your list and focusing on resolutions
that are attainable and will help your bottom line.
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com
software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and
podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage
http://www.notepage.net
a wireless text messaging software company.
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is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of
the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly
appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net
.
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at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm
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