Many small business owners are unaware that it’s possible to ‘get listed locally‘
on Google. They think they are supposed to be ranking for the product
or service they offer, for example, if they sold ice cream machines
they think they are supposed to rank in Google for ice cream machines.

“The Customer is Always Right”

Is that always true?

Small business owners *think* they know
what their ads should look like, many small business owners know their
industry backwards and forwards, they often are no where near as
skilled in advertising or marketing (and those two items are not the
same). Even if a business owner knows a thing or two about advertising
when it comes to internet advertising more often than not they are
mistaken.

If you are a web designer or an internet advertising
salesperson, you have to make a sale, if your client wants their
website to look a certain way, you give them what they want. After all
you are more interested in getting a check from the client than you are
in ensuring the finished product actually puts money in the customers
cash register.

Small business owners *think* they are supposed to
be found in Google under their company name. Some web design firms tell
small business owners that they *are* in Google if they can find their
website by typing in the company name. The reality is the prospective
customers the business owner is seeking are typing in what it is
they’re in need of and the geographic area they’re willing to drive to
in order to get it. Even if a product is shipped, or shipped for free,
the prospective customer is likely to prefer a vendor nearby just in
case they want to return it.

Take a hypothetical scenario. Let’s
say you operate Harry’s Ice Cream Machines, a fictitious vendor of food
service equipment that makes frozen desert. And you not only sell these
but you service them. Now you’re a local company, you do not have the
staff to service merchandise on the other side of the country. So you
need to sell these things locally. Ok, to make it more real, the
manufacturer you get the machines from dropships them and you can’t
afford to cut your margin that much, so you compete locally because if
your customers buy from you they’ll get service that they can’t get
from a dropship arrangement.

Now you get a website built… you
don’t yet know what SEO is, so you do what most everyone else you know
does, you get a “web designer”. This designer builds you a site and
puts in the closest thing he knows to do for keywords. Only problem is
he’s shooting for the wrong target (and probably doesn’t know it). He’s
got you “optimized” for ice cream machines.

Well, let’s just see how hard this is (or isn’t):

Google
the keyword phrase- ice cream machines, it returns 83,700,000 results.
Which means you’re trying to knock off 83,699,999 other webmasters who
have a head start on you!

Now let’s say for the sake of argument, you are offering them in Maryland, Now you’re only going up against 422,000 other pages.

I don’t know about you but I’d rather get in a fight with 400K people than tangle with 83 million… what do you think?

So
let’s continue with our hypothetical frozen dessert making marketer (I
wonder if their really is someone in neighboring Montgomery County
Maryland who sells this… I might get a client inadvertently!)

Search
Google (or Bing, or Yahoo) for “ice cream machines “in Montgomery
County Maryland, Now we only have to do battle with 12,000 other pages.

Moral
of this story: at a minimum target the state you’re doing business in,
better yet, target the county you want to do business in and you will
fare much better.

Many factors can lead to kitchen remodeling. You can decide to remodel your kitchen because you wish to upgrade some features, expand the kitchen space or upgrade some appliances that have been outdated due to technological advancement.

As easy as kitchen remodeling looks, there are some mistakes you must avoid. In this piece, you will be getting tips on common kitchen remodeling mistakes and how to avoid the pitfall.

1) Not putting appliance first

Don’t make the mistake of buying cabinets before appliances. Some people make the mistake of purchasing furniture before buying appliances, only to realize the fittings are not compatible with the appliance. Instead, your first move should be buying the appliance, then fittings.

2) Putting floor installation first

If you are remodeling your kitchen, you should expect a lot of foot traffic. Putting floor installation ahead will make the new fixed floor wear out on time due to human traffic, dragging of heavy appliances, or dropping items.

3) Overspending on appliances and cabinets

No doubt, buying the latest and advanced appliances will transform the face of your kitchen. But in the same vein, you should not break your spending limit. You can always get appliances that can fit into your budget and still meet your kitchen needs. The same goes for cabinets. You should always consider your budget before going for any wardrobe. What makes your appliance and cabinet serve for a long period is not the price value but your maintenance culture.

4) Not making plans for lighting

You need light for smooth operation anywhere. Every part of your home needs an adequate light setting. Whenever you are remodeling your kitchen, don’t make the mistake of ignoring proper light sources. You will be doing a lot of activities there like washing, cutting, and baking. For you to achieve an excellent result for any of these activities, you need proper light settings.

5) Not measuring right

Some homeowners always ignore the golden rule of measuring twice and cutting once. Measurement is not what you should guess or apply commonsensical methods to. Before you buy a refrigerator, measure where it will be placed to avoid purchasing an appliance bigger or small to the corresponding position.

6) Not leveling the floor

You will lay the floor, but leveling the floor should always come first. Failure to level the floor will create an imbalance in your kitchen. If your kitchen floor is not level, the counter will be affected negatively.

7) Failure to consult your insurance before a major upgrade

If you are upgrading some of your appliances, extending your kitchen size, or adding some features as part of your remodeling drive, you should not keep your insurance agent in the dark. Communication is key between you and your agent. Ask your agent to reevaluate your current insurance policy to know if it covers your new kitchen upgrade.

Conclusion

Kitchen remodeling requires proper planning. Before you decide to buy appliances and cabinets, you should have a decent budget. However, don’t make the mistake of not reaching out to your insurance agent for up-to-date details on the current state of your policy. Unless you have experience renovating kitchens on your own, it is best to enlist the services of a kitchen renovations expert to help you plan and design your new kitchen. The tips that have been listed here will offer great value to you when remodeling your kitchen.

There are many cars dealers which particular deals in used car. Haggerty Ford Car dealers in Chicago can help you get good deals on used cars. You can test the available cars you like.  CPO car professional looking to meet certain predetermined criteria. You can get a good quality of Chicago used cars for sale. The sale of used cars is no different than any other case of sale.

There are many cars for sale in Chicago and the used cars market is really big and popular here and one may easily find a vehicle of his/her own choice at different auto stores. But whenever you buy a used car you need to be sure that you purchase it from a registered car dealers or repute instead of any private dealer even if you are getting a good deal.

The sale of used cars is no different than any other case of sale. Like any sale, has been promoted to major business lines and high quality products. It is a base where the used cars of various models together and also sold at cheaper prices.

Although these events can open up a whole day before the used car dealers in the market before events like these can groped to hurry and sign agreements that in any situation, you should avoid. A test to determine if you really save money in reducing transactions or a gimmick to sell the same car about the same or even higher, the price just playing creative words and even numbers.

There are many cars dealers which particular deals in used car. Haggerty Ford Car dealers in Chicago can help you get good deals on used cars. You can test the available cars you like.  Similarly, a good investment in a certified used car is really a smart thing to do in most of the cases. CPO car professional looking to meet certain predetermined criteria. Having been well tested by the standards, the car is labeled as CPO. Therefore, the label is in itself a guarantee of a basic level of quality. But if you feel that you can check for yourself used cars, you should not invest that extra money on a CPO car. You can get a good quality of Chicago used cars for sale.

Sometimes you come across an ad for a used car from private individuals who want to sell their vehicle. The advantage of this kind id dealing that it’s save some costs which retailers charge. However, at the same time, the case is much less certain, and if you need to be more careful with all documents and physical verification of the car more. The examination of the registration records and documentation of the property is of paramount importance when purchasing vehicles for sale in Chicago, private owners.

The key point

The key point is that you decide to buy used cars in Chicago; you have to be very careful with all stages – the selection of the used car dealers to check out all parts of the car and also the completion of procedures.

You spend a substantial amount of your income every year on construction, reconstruction, remodeling or renovation of your house.  Therefore, in order to avoid such trouble in your planning and running, and here are some tips that might be useful for those who want to complete it right the first time.

You spend a substantial amount of your income every year on construction, reconstruction, remodeling or renovation of your house. These costs vary according to which kind of person you hire and the quality of work. Some construction specialists would bring in early damages and subsequent re-remodeling in return by offer cheap price and deliver plain service. This would increase your costs needlessly on the home renovation projects and might hold your dreams of building a special living space that suits your tastes back.

Therefore, in order to avoid such trouble in your planning and running, and here are some tips that might be useful for those who want to complete it right the first time.     

– First off, pre-plan your home renovation project and list all the cost estimates and add them all up on paper. You could simply come up with a particular budget plan in order to negotiate well on the remodeling needs with the contractor that you hire or get help from some outside resources. The home renovation project could be easy, complicated or even damage to your house, prerequisites of any genre of remodeling project finally remains the same. 

  – Make sure you hire the contractor with a relevant license, which is an identification of his profession.   

  -For fear of disputes that you may ask all concerned questions on your mind about the renovation project as you can and make it clear about what you need from your home renovation contractor.    

 – It’s quite safe to go through an agency where you would be well guided and know more about your rights and responsibilities as a home owner before to hire a contractor. If you are uncertain of individual contractors, this would give you superiority as an informed consumer and avoid swindle, if any.    

 – What’s more, with contracting licenses there are varied and you need to make certain that the contractor you hire has the license for the work that you particularly need.   

-For the sake of being able to employ other workers for the project, you should check about three or more bids for the home renovation work and also need to check whether the contractor has worker’s compensation insurance.    

 – Make certain all the details about the re-construction job are in writing; every clear specific was connect to the remodeling job is mentioned that include information from the finances to the type and quality of materials used.    

 There are good deals of information that can easily make available to you on the internet. You can search for them which provide you valuable information before you decide to hire a contractor to complete your home renovation.      

While not every home owner has the time, energy, or desire to renovate an old house, some people get great joy out of renewing a priceless piece of history. Home renovation is in itself a challenge, and this challenge is certainly greater when you’re working on an old house. There are significant challenges that need consideration before embarking on such a large project, but if you’re up to the task, the rewards are awesome.

Old houses generally possess far more personality and style
than most houses built today. The craftsmanship of older homes is also
often outstanding, and much of the work will be unique and
one-of-a-kind. This stellar craftsmanship and good quality deserve to be
preserved.

The materials used in older homes also tend to be of a much
higher quality than those used today. From solid hardwood floors, to
quality masonry, to hand-carved woodworking, you’re getting quality that
has stood the test of time – and that can promise many more years with a
little care and effort.

While some gorgeous work can be found in old houses, older home
renovation can often reveal some nasty – and even hazardous –
surprises.

Asbestos was used in insulation in many old homes, and this can
pose a health risk if it’s not handled properly. There may also be
traces of lead paint or lead used throughout the home’s plumbing system.
Wiring and plumbing may be severely out-dated, requiring a considerable
amount of work. Heating and cooling systems will generally need to be
replaced altogether if they have not been well maintained.

The best thing you can do if you’re serious about renovating an
old house is to talk to a contractor. They can give you a realistic
look at what you’re taking on, as well as the prices attached to the
various tasks. A professional will be better aware of the potential
hidden problems and can point you to the most efficient
solutions.

If you’re serious about preserving the integrity and beauty of
an old home, take time to learn about the architecture and style of the
time period in which the house was built. Old home renovation can turn
out some stunning results, but you’ll have the best outcome if you
understand the original character of the house.

Old wood floors can be restored to warm, lustrous beauty,
retaining all the character of age. Highlight the depth and age of the
wood and let its character shine.

While you may not be able to match the original materials used
in the original construction, try as much as possible to closely reflect
the original styles, textures, and appearance throughout your home
renovation. If your home’s walls are an antique, natural plaster, don’t
cover up the beauty with a garish color from a paint sprayer. Try
whenever possible to maintain the integrity of the original
design.

Of course, you’ll also want to integrate your own personality
and style throughout the house. As you hunt for antique fixtures,
furniture, and other pieces that reflect the style of your house, don’t
shy away from a piece you love just because it’s not from the same era.
The final product of your old home renovation should be a beautiful
mixture of the old and the new, and a place you and your family can call
home.

Developing a well-crafted business plan is crucial to the launch of any business. It sets up goals and realistic expectations. It’s your road map to success with signposts that reveal your strengths and weaknesses. It also helps keep surprises to a minimum. And it ensures that your business moves steadily and reliably toward certain specific goals. The right business plan can make all the difference in getting the funding you need, convincing loan officers, suppliers and your management team that you’ve thought things through, and that you’re committed to your enterprise, whatever it may be.

Don’t Put the Cart Before the Horse

Many eager entrepreneurs start their business before they finish their business plan. Bad Idea. They say they don’t have the time for a formal business plan, or that the market is simply changing too fast. They need the flexibility to react. Think of your business plan like a road trip—with your banker and management team all packed in the same car. Would you rather plan your route ahead of time with a map? Or start driving and wrestle with the map while you drive? So what does a good business plan consist of?

The Executive Summary

This should appear first and summarize the important elements of your entire business plan. It should include an overview of the industry you plan to compete in, brief profiles of the major companies in this industry, their estimated sales, where the industry is headed, and any trends that may affect the industry now and in the immediate future. You’ll also need to introduce the products or services your business will be selling, your USP (Unique Selling Proposition) and any barriers you’ll need to overcome to break into this industry. Next, comes your competition, their market share, and how you plan to protect your product or process (i.e. patents, copyrights, trademarks, franchise rights that you either hold or plan to acquire) to ensure you keep market share.

Analyze the Market

Here’s where you’ll go into depth about the primary target market for your product or service. This includes location and demographics and how your product or service will meet the needs of your market segment.

A Realistic Look at Your Competition

This will detail the competition for your product or service. You’ll present an analysis of any and all advantages your competitors have over you, and exactly how you plan to address and overcome them.

Your Organization’s Structure

How will you structure your organization? What are your human resource needs? You’ll need to specify who will manage your business, and describe what each person will do.

Facilities, Equipment, Supplies

This is where you’ll cover your building/office sites, equipment facilities and equipment. You’ll want to describe your manufacturing and/or assembly process, as well as any environmental requirements mandated by local, state federal laws. You’ll also need to include the type and number of initial employees required to launch your business. And don’t forget to detail any inventory requirements and list of suppliers you plan to use.

Financing…Where Will You Get it?

How and where will you secure financing? You’ll need to present details here that will pass the scrutiny of unforgiving funding experts. You might want to consult an accountant and tax specialist to help you with this section.