If you're like me, you're a visual learner, and tend to understand something best when you see it demonstrated. A lot of people prefer to see how-to instructions in a video format. That is why we've just released seven how-to demos that provide step-by-step instructions for important small-business features and tasks.
We chose these topics based on feedback from Office Live Small Business customers. We hope these demos meet your needs and help you to build a better site. Please let us know what you think, and what topics you'd like to see covered in the near future.
Here's a look at each of the seven demos:
- Customize the navigation bar on your Web site
This is the first stop for many of your potential customers: the navigation bar of your Web site. It's your table of contents, so it's important that you have total control over how it looks and what links are included. This demo shows you how.
- Write an effective ad
Get important tips on how to write ads that work more effectively with search engines and grab the attention of potential customers. This is critical information to have if you're new to the Internet ad-writing game.
- Add a video or blog to your Web site
Blogs and video are everywhere on the Web these days, and your Office Live Small Business Web site can feature them too. This demo will help you display compelling new content to your customers — and you don't need to know anything special about Web design to do it.
- Add a Silverlight video to your Web site
What's Microsoft Silverlight? It's a great way to display videos on your own Web site, so you don't have to hassle with posting them to a public video site. Customers can see the videos that you'd like to show them, and they can do so right from your site.
- Process an order in your store
If you're new to Store Manager, or considering adding this e-commerce service to your Office Live Small Business subscription, this demo will show you the nuts and bolts of a core Web retail task: processing an order. Learn how to update customer orders, receive and settle payments, and prepare products for shipment.
- Set up a weight-based shipping method
Shipping is another important and sometimes complicated aspect of selling products online. Weight-based shipping is used by all major shipping carriers, so it's important for you to know how it works. This demo breaks it down step-by-step.
- Invite others to use your account
The Business Applications area of Office Live Small Business lets you add other people to your account so that you can collaborate on projects and share documents online. This demo shows you how to invite people to use your account, and how to manage their permission levels.
View the demos and then tell us: Were they helpful to you?
Cheryl Lowry