America’s SBDC Blog

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Getting Started With SEO: 3 Easy Ways to Increase Your Rankings Online

March 23, 2015
By Maxym Martineau

SEO for StartersEveryone wants to show up on the first page of the search engines. Top of mind is important – and while it’s not reasonable to promise that your business will skyrocket to the first spot on the list, there are a few important steps you can take to improve your search engine ranking.

Find the right words

Search engines like websites that are dynamic, which means your content needs to be rich in keywords so your pages are more appealing. On-page SEO (search engine optimization) is vital to increasing your ranking. First, do your research and find keywords that are relative to your business – use phrases or words that people commonly search for when shopping in your industry. Then, build your content around those words so they fit naturally and seamlessly into the text of your website.

A good way to start is to spend a few minutes writing down words that relate to your business. Imagine any phrase or word a potential visitor might use when browsing a search engine. Once you’ve done that, stop by Google’s free Keyword Planner. This is an awesome tool that tracks whether or not people are actually searching for the words and phrases you’ve created. The tool itself is initially part of Google AdWords, but feel free to use it to boost your on-page SEO.  (more…)

Success Story: Florida

March 12, 2015
BioDerm
  • BioDermFlorida SBDC at the University of South Florida (FSBDC at USF)
  • SBDC Counselor: Selma Canas, Certified International Trade Specialist
  • Client: BioDerm, SBDC client since 2010

“When we got our first export plan, we were absolutely thrilled with it. The data in it was incredible. The report was so detailed and had so much information and research. It took our product and lined it up with all of the other countries. We were very impressed with it.” – Wendy LaTorre, Chief Strategy Officer, BioDerm

Impact of working with the SBDC: With the research and data in the customized Export Marketing Plan that BioDerm received from the Florida SBDC at USF, in addition to expanding their efforts in Britain and the Netherlands, BioDerm chose to pursue Canada, Germany and Japan. (more…)

Celebrating National Women’s History Month

March 9, 2015
From the Google Small Business Community

We’re excited to take part in National Women’s History Month this March. The 2015 theme – “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives” – celebrates the impact that women-owned small businesses have on our culture and economy. Women have been a force in American business for generations, from Henrietta Johnston – the first professional American female artist in 1707 – to the eight million female business owners in the United States today.

Women continue to make a positive impact across many industries. Check out a few of our member spotlights on female small business owners including:

  • Pastabilities: An Italian restaurant in Syracuse, NY;
  • Red Chair Salon: A salon started by a hairstylist who grew from apprentice to owner in five years;
  • Jackalope Brewing: A brewery founded by two friends combining their passions; and
  • LSTN: A headphone company that pays it forward with every product it sells.

(more…)

Success Story: Washington State

March 2, 2015
Advisor Helps Business Continue as a Community Cornerstone

Washington State Success StoryWashington State, Economic Alliance for Okanogan County SBDC
Lew Blakeney, SBDC Advisor
NAPA Auto Parts Store, Twisp, WA, SBDC client since 2005

“He answered all of our questions and a lot more. It was really nice to have someone to walk us through it.” — Dwain Hutson, owner of NAPA Auto Parts, Twisp, WA

Impact of Working with the SBDC: Dwain Hutson, a NAPA store employee for nearly 30 years, was able to purchase the business with his wife in 2008 after working on financials with their SBDC advisor for several years. The Hutsons continued to work with their SBDC advisor and were able to purchase the building in January, 2015. (more…)

5 Ways To Increase Your Productivity

February 25, 2015
From the Google Small Business Community

As a small business owner, you juggle a lot of daily tasks. Making a concrete plan to achieve them can help you stay productive throughout the day. In addition to starting your day right with a morning ritual, increase your productivity by setting limits on meetings, and using technology and apps to streamline your business.

5 Ways to Increase Your ProductivityStart your day right with a quick agenda overview

Do you check your email or your calendar first thing in the morning? Why not do both at the same time? Mentally prepare for the day with a quick snapshot of your daily tasks every morning by having Google Calendar email you a snapshot of your full agenda at 5 a.m. Do this by accessing the Reminders and Notifications menu, and checking the box next to Daily Agenda. First access the Reminders and Notifications menu and then check the box next to Daily Agenda.

Be alerted of interruptions to your commute before you leave

Once you’ve set up your commute destinations in Google Maps, Google Now (part of the Google Search app) will send you a notification with real-time traffic updates, including incidents, before you hit the road. You can even sync Google Now with your Calendar to get traffic updates before your meetings, and make sure you’re not late for appointments with your vendors and customers.  (more…)