Microsoft Office Live Small Business Community | Blog

How to play hooky but stay connected

2008-07-03T16:46:00Z

There’s nothing like sneaking off to the beach or the links on a warm summer day. And while I’m not advocating you take your work with you – what’s the fun in that? – you may feel better about playing hooky if you can stay connected to your business while you’re away.

Your Microsoft Office Live Small Business service can help make that happen if you pack along your laptop, PDA, or smartphone and can find Internet access. Here’s how:

Remotely access e-mail. If you’ve got a smart phone or a laptop, you can duck into a coffee shop or cabana that offers wireless and quickly access your Web-based e-mail, calendar, and tasks.

Easily access documents. Check the status of a contract or proposal with Document Manager, an online repository for important company documents, pictures and information that you can access on the Web anytime, anywhere.

Monitor sales. If you’re using Store Manager to sell products on your Web site or eBay, you can easily generate real-time sales reports to stay on top of revenue and orders.

Receive e-mail alerts. Set up event-based e-mail alerts to keep on top of any changes in key areas of your business, such as new business inquiries, document updates, and more. That way you’ll know instantly if someone fills out a form on your Web site, updates a document in the Document Manager, updates a contact record in Contact Manager, assigns you a task in Task Manager or Project Manager, and more.

The trick to all of this, of course, is finding the right balance between staying connected and having fun – and you should probably avoid dripping sunscreen on your smartphone’s keyboard too.

See you at the beach,

Skip Chilcott

Get a ‘picture’ of how our Web site features work

2008-07-02T18:33:04Z

I’m a visual learner. Show me a picture of what you’re talking about, and I’ll get the idea 10 times faster than I would without it.

And that’s why I’m excited about our new page that enables you to explore Office Live Small Business Web site building features in a visual way. To pull this off, we created a sample site (for a fictitious company called Adventure Works) with both basic and advanced versions.

Here’s the idea: Let’s say you’re just getting started with your Web site and really don’t get what is meant by the term “layout.” Just click the Choose your layout link and, voila, you see a picture of the basic version of the site with annotated descriptions of all the layout elements. Don’t know exactly what is meant by “design”? Click the Design your site link to see a picture with the design elements pointed out.

The links mentioned above are examples of basic features. But, like I said, there’s another version of the site where advanced features are illustrated. You’ll also find a working example of an online store, which was built using our new Store Manager e-commerce feature. Go ahead, add an item to your shopping cart. You can place test orders to experience the shopping cart and the checkout flow.

You can get to both the basic and advanced versions through the Explore Web site features page. And be sure to check the links at the bottom of each page. You’ll find links to more detailed articles about how to use the features highlighted on each of the pages.

Happy exploring!

David Alexander

Hot off (Microsoft) Press: Guide to using Office Live Small Business

2008-07-01T20:51:51Z

If you’re new to Office Live Small Business, or just want a handy offline guide that covers all aspects of how to use the service, check out a new book by Microsoft Press titled, “Microsoft Office Live Small Business: Take Your Business Online!”

This book, with 12 chapters covering everything from how to launch your Web site and how to promote it to how to use our business applications, workspaces, community site, and Resource Center, is available through resellers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Quantumbooks.

It is written by Katherine Murray, an Indianapolis-based author of more than 50 books about technology and the digital lifestyle. Murray writes in a clear, accessible style, and uses screenshots and images throughout the book to illustrate her points.

If you haven’t created your own site yet, after reading this book, you will be inspired to! If you do have a site, you’ll get tips on how to make it better. Check it out.

And, by the way, if you have your own business Web site, what words of advice would you have for those small-business owners who don’t?

Monte Enbysk

1 million customers --- and growing!

2008-06-30T18:30:37Z

There is a buzz around the Microsoft Office Live Small Business offices today. It’s just been announced that we’ve surpassed 1 million subscribers to our service, a pivotal milestone we reached in less than two years of being publicly available (we made our commercial debut in November 2006)! Check out the press release.

Obviously, without you, the customer, we wouldn’t have accomplished this feat. So thank you for choosing us to host and design your Web site.

We are very gratified to see that more and more small businesses --- particularly those with fewer than 10 employees --- realize the importance of not only having a professional-looking Web presence, but also of the need to promote their businesses online. Many of you have already added our online services to drive traffic to your Web site like Store Manager for e-commerce, E-Mail Marketing for creating newsletters, and adManager for buying keyword advertising.

While 89 percent of the more than 20 million small businesses in the United States have Internet access, only about half have a Web site for their business – so we still have a lot of work left to do.

Still don’t have a Web site for your business? See what some of our customers are saying about Office Live Small Business.

What are you waiting for? Get started for free today.

Michael Schultz

Search marketing keeps getting better, so don’t miss out

2008-06-26T19:21:00Z

I saw a statistic the other day that blew me away. According to Jupiter Research, 61% of online consumers use search engines on a daily basis. For anyone with a Web site – whether you’re selling products or offering services – that’s got to be a pretty compelling reason to advertise on search sites.

Now, I know some of you think search marketing is a bit mysterious. And if you’re new to keywords and bidding and all that pay-per-click stuff, I agree it can be a bit puzzling. But really, it’s pretty simple. You create an ad and choose keywords related to your business. When someone searches using one of your keywords, your ad may appear next to search results. You only pay when someone clicks on your ad. If they don’t click on it, you pay nothing. Pretty cool, huh?

Search marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to advertise online because you pay only for clicks and have complete control over your budget.

Office Live Small Business has a search advertising tool that makes placing your ads on Microsoft Live Search and Ask Sponsored Listings quick and easy. It’s called adManager.

I like to tell people that using adManager is like having your own personal search advertising agency working for you. The tool guides you through the whole process – from writing your ad, to setting and managing your budget, to selecting and bidding on keywords, and finally, tracking the success of your ad campaign.

If you want to learn more about using cost-effective search ads to drive traffic to your Web site, check out the following resources:

Watch the adManager demo
See our adManager tips and how-tos

If you’re ready to get started with adManager, just log into your account and click Promote Your Business, and then adManager to get started.

And I’m curious: How many times a week do you use a search engine? And does that 61% figure surprise you at all?

Loriann Ikeda

Home offices growing more popular, reports the AP

2008-06-26T19:10:00Z

To save bucks in today’s rocky economy, many small-business owners are abandoning their downtown offices and setting up shop in their homes, according to a recent Associated Press article. This not only allows them to avoid rent payments, but also transportation costs, parking, eating out, insurance, and other nickel-and-dime expenses that add up.

Of course, at Microsoft Office Live Small Business we also know that preserving cash is important when getting your business off the ground. That’s why we give you a free Web site and other great online marketing and business tools. With a home-based office and Office Live Small Business subscription, your monthly overhead costs could come in lower than your monthly parking fees downtown.

Meanwhile, what do you think about this article? Have you moved your business home, or set up shop at home, to cut costs? Tell us what you think by posting a comment below.

Monte Enbysk

A small Web site can be powerful

2008-06-25T19:44:23Z

I’ve managed many Web sites in my career and often come back to the same concept: Keep it simple!

I found that one of the toughest parts of Web site creation is figuring out what to write. I’m often surprised at people’s natural instincts to go overboard and want to add everything to a Web site. The result is paralysis, brought on by being overwhelmed at the prospect of trying to create all the content they plan.

So here are some suggestions. Focus on answering the four main questions: who, what, why, how. Really work to just simply tell your story. And keep in mind that too much content can be overwhelming and sometimes miss the core message you are trying to share.

In addition to this, it’s smart to focus on what customers want to see in a Web site. That’s why I want to share an article written by Monte Enbysk, my colleague and a senior editor at Office Live Small Business. He makes this point in his recent Expert Advice article, “10 things customers want on a small-business Web site.”

The article encourages you focus on what customers want as well as telling your story online. It encourages you to reach beyond your comfort zone in how much information you share. If you are really uncomfortable about how much you put on the Web, do this in small steps. Check out the article for some suggestions.

If you see anything missing from Monte’s list, click Add a Comment and let us know.

Diana Lawson

Got a renewal letter about your domain? Please read the fine print

2008-06-24T00:19:26Z

Posted on behalf of Roman Frillarte

You know, there’s always someone out there trying to make a fast buck, but we don’t want it to be at your expense if we can help it. So here’s a word of caution: If you receive a letter telling you that your Microsoft Office Live Small Business domain is about to expire, please read it carefully. Chances are it’s not from us, it’s not a bill, and there’s no need for you to take any action.

What’s going on is some domain registrars are trying to drum up business and dupe people into thinking they need to “renew” their Office Live Small Business domain. If you respond to the mail, you’ll actually be moving your domain away from Office Live Small Business and registering it with a firm that will charge you – and it could be a much higher renewal fee than the free or discounted rate you have with us. Of course, you’re free to do that. But please be aware you may encounter some problems with your service and need help from our Support folks.

The thing is, unless your domain is privately registered, your contact information is in a public database easily accessible on the Internet to anyone who wants it. So, to avoid being targeted by third-party solicitors, you may want to consider private registration.

If you’ve signed up for a custom domain through Office Live Small Business after Feb. 12, 2008, private domain name registration was included automatically. Otherwise, you can purchase it for any .com, .net, or .org domain you own with us for just $6.95 a year. To do so, sign into your account and click Get a Web address in the center of your Home page. Under Web Site and E-mail, click the sign up link next to Private Domain Registration.

If you have any further questions about this, please post them and I’ll get back to you.

Roman Frillarte

Get more from your Web site with our new how-to demos

2008-06-19T20:09:38Z

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

The buzz on other blogs

2008-06-18T00:28:05Z

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know we’ve devoted some space to the virtues of e-mail marketing for small businesses. Now, see what others have to say on this topic. Our colleague David Baker of digital marketing services firm Avenue A|Razorfish offers some great insights on why e-mail is such a vital tool for small business.

On a related note, last week we published some interesting survey data from our recent Vision to Venture conference for women entrepreneurs that revealed that 61% of the women business owners surveyed are not using the Web to manage and market their business. This finding is generating some healthy discussion at one of the Wall Street Journal blogs. Check it out and let us know what you think by posting a comment here. We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Monte Enbysk

Is buying a franchise in your future? Visit our Franchise Opportunities page

2008-06-17T16:25:31Z

Buying a franchise business is a serious way to scratch your entrepreneurial itch. And, according to the International Franchise Association (IFA), lots of folks are heading that direction.

The IFA reports there are now about 3,000 franchise systems and more than 900,000 franchised businesses in the United States alone. These numbers take in such well-known brands such as McDonald's, Jenny Craig, and Blockbuster, as well as hundreds of lesser-known enterprises covering the gamut of retail and service industries.

With all the franchise choices available, how do you find the one that’s right for you? You can start by checking out our new Franchise Opportunities page. The resources offered here include:

Access to Franchise Gator, a Microsoft subsidiary that provides information about franchises for sale and franchise opportunities from more than 25 industry directories.
Practical 10-minute webcasts from franchise expert Jeff Elgin, founder and CEO of franchise consultant FranChoice, to guide you through the franchise evaluation process.
Helpful articles from Elgin and Lori Kiser-Block, FranChoice president, about what to look for, and what to avoid, when investigating franchise opportunities.
Additional franchise advice from Office Live Small Business’s on-demand franchise seminars, presented by franchise specialists Andrew A. Caffey, Margaret McEntire, and David Roth.

Is buying a franchise in your future? Let us know if these resources are helpful.

Monte Enbysk

For discounts and deals, see our new Special Offers page

2008-06-13T19:17:47Z

Could you use a free logo? Free sales leads? How about discount printing and postage?

Then we’ve got deals for you!

If you’re a small-business owner, you probably wear lots of hats. Office manager, marketing director, bookkeeper, webmaster … tell me when to stop. But even if you try to do it all, we know that sometimes you need and want help.

That’s why we’ve contacted some of our partners who specialize in serving small businesses and asked them to put together some exclusive offers for our Microsoft Office Live Small Business subscribers. You can find them all listed at our special offers page, but here’s a quick look at a few:

Resource Nation will get you free quotes on business services from local and national vendors
LogoYes will create a free custom logo for your Web site
WebVisible will guarantee you 50 customer leads for free
Stamps.com is offering $45 in postage and a free digital scale

You’ll also find handsome discounts on printing services, signs and graphics, online advertising and even on office space. So check out these exclusive deals and discounts on services that almost every business needs sooner or later. Who knows? Our partners may become your partners.

Skip Chilcott

Margie’s Travel goes online: See how easily it happens

2008-06-09T22:59:00Z

Here’s a confession you can’t share with my boss: I think I’m having way too much fun at work.

You see, we just developed this set of full-color comic strips featuring a cast of characters who work in a fictitious travel company. Margie, John, and Delores discover ways to use Microsoft Office Live Small Business to overcome workplace challenges. How fun is that?

Here’s our cast, created for us by Johnny Mac Studios, a small business in Bellingham, Wash.

We’re calling the six-part series “Margie’s Travel Goes Online.” The idea is to show folks how a business might put our services to use to solve real problems. For instance, in the first episode, Margie is worried about a business slowdown. Delores suggests they get a Web site, but Margie and John dismiss the idea as too expensive and too complex. Sound like a conversation you’ve had?

I don’t want to give it all away here, but I think you’ll get a kick out of the series – and find it enlightening how Office Live Small Business can address all types of business issues. Please check it out.

You know Delores, our savvy senior citizen, looks a bit like my great-aunt. Do any of the characters remind you of anyone?

Karen Dayan

Does your Web site need a makeover?

2008-06-06T20:04:00Z

OK, maybe you’re not the type who usually signs up for a sweepstakes. But I really want you to know about the cool contest we currently have running in both the U.S. and U.K.

We call it the Save Our Site Sweepstakes. The idea is this: If your site is a weak swimmer in today’s Web waters, you can win a chance to have a professional designer paddle over and save it. We’re metaphorically talking about an all-out Web site makeover here.

And there’s more. In addition to the makeover, the winnings include cash and a laptop computer for a total value of, depending on your country, $5,000 or £2,000.

Now here’s the best part: We award the prize package each week!

Here’s how you get involved:

In the U.S., the Save Our Site Sweepstakes is well underway and will end June 8. So head for the sweepstakes site now if you want to get in on it.
In the U.K., the contest is just starting. If you sign up now you’ll have more chances to win the weekly giveaway.

So why not sign up? There’s cool stuff to win and nothing to lose.

Skip Chilcott

Vision to Venture webcasts: Free advice, inspiration from small-business experts

2008-06-05T17:37:33Z

Now you can share the excitement. We’ve just posted free, on-demand webcasts from our recent Vision to Venture tour, and I’ve got to tell you, the content is awesome.

In case you didn’t hear about it, earlier this spring Microsoft Office Live Small Business hosted an entrepreneurial road show that visited five cities around the country. Women business owners and those dreaming about taking the entrepreneurial plunge turned out in droves to hear our amazing panel of small-business experts.

I’m still hearing from women who said they were wowed by what they heard, by the people they met and by the possibilities unleashed. Believe me, you’ll want to check out these webcasts. You can learn so much with just a short investment of time. Look at the credentials of our featured speakers and you’ll see what I mean:

Susan Wilson Solovic, author of "The Girls' Guide to Building a Million Dollar Business" and CEO of SBTV.com, a video news site all about small business
Rich Sloan, serial entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of StartupNation, a leading business advice and networking Web site
John Jantsch, marketing expert and author of "Duct Tape Marketing: The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide"

I was privileged to be associated with those three. As you might imagine, my seminar focused on digital marketing and why it’s so important for small businesses to have an online presence today. But go see for yourself; you can access all of our webcasts at your convenience 24/7.

Once you’ve listened in, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What piece of advice or inspiration really resonated with you?

Karen Dayan