In Feburary 2016 28,
Decide what you will sell--and from where. You can rent a storefront and sell computers, parts and accessories from several manufacturers, or just specialize in products from one or two companies. Contact manufacturers for their policies regarding reselling and find out what distributors they use. Some companies, such as Panasonic, offer programs for resale partners.
Secure a 'DBA' (doing business as) certificate in your state. Check on additional business tax and licensing procedures for your area. Some locales also require sales tax licenses for retail businesses.
Advertise online and in the phone book. Create a website for the business, even if you intend to sell primarily from a retail location. If you intend to sell computers and parts over the Internet as well as in a retail store, use clear photos of sale items on the website with short, clear descriptions of each product.
Establish an online only computer resale business. You can do this by by joining with an e-commerce supplier that provides hardware and software from major manufacturers to their partners. Computers and parts will be drop-shipped directly to your customers from a warehouse. You store no inventory. This type of operation works for people who don't have the money to open a store or room to stash computers and parts for on-location shipping. There's a start-up fee needed with this type of venture, but companies like Inetstart offer support for resellers, including tech and website-building information.
Set your prices. Make sure they are competitive, but don't set them so low that you will lose money. Compare your pricing strategy with that of other local stores, and stay in the same range. Also, consider who your buyers will be. If you're in a college town, your clients will probably buy more but have less money to spend on each purchase. Develop your sales plan according to market situations and your customers' needs.
Offer warranties, repairs and IT (information technology) services to keep customers coming back. Prepare service agreements for customers so they will come back to you to solve any problems or add to their existing systems, instead of going directly to the manufacturer or to another supplier. Provide personalized attention to maintain customer loyalty.
In Feburary 2016 28,
Posts mit dem Label businesses werden angezeigt. Alle Posts anzeigen
Posts mit dem Label businesses werden angezeigt. Alle Posts anzeigen
Sonntag, 28. Februar 2016
Sonntag, 21. Februar 2016
Meaning of a Domain Name ExtensionIn Feburary 2016 21,
In Feburary 2016 21,
There are two basic types of domain name extensions: country code top-level domains, and generic top-level domains. Further, generic top-level domains can be either sponsored or unsponsored.
Country Codes
If the domain name extension of a website is only two characters long, then it's a country code top-level domain, or 'ccTLD.' Examples include '.us' for the United States, '.br' for Brazil and '.de' for Germany (Deutschland). Country codes are managed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, and as of 2010, there were nearly 250 ccTLDs, one for every country in the world plus special-status territories such as Hong Kong (.hk), the Falkland Islands (.fk) or Puerto Rico (.pr). Each country designates a government agency or a private company to handle registrations under its ccTLD, and each can set its own rules for who or what can register. Some allow only their own citizens or businesses to register, others allow anyone to register--and some actively market their ccTLDs as a source of revenue. Two examples of the latter are the Pacific Ocean island nations of Tuvalu (.tv) and the Federated States of Micronesia (.fm).
Unsponsored
The most common domain name extensions are the unsponsored generic TLDs. They're called 'unsponsored' because no agency approves registrations; anyone anywhere in the world can register domains with these extensions. Unsponsored TLDs include '.com,' '.org' and '.net.' Generally, '.com' sites are commercial, '.org' websites belong to non-profits and trade associations, and '.net' addresses are used by Internet-related companies, but these categories are not enforced at all. If you go to register a domain with a '.org' extension, no one is going to check whether your organization qualifies. Other unsponsored generic TLDs include '.info,' '.biz' and '.name.'
Sponsored
Sponsored generic top-level domains are those that have a gatekeeper--an agency or organization that decides who can and can't register. The most familiar sponsored extensions are '.gov,' which is managed by the U.S. federal government; '.edu,' which is open only to post-secondary educational institutions accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; and '.mil,' reserved for the U.S. military. Other sponsored TLDs include '.aero' for the air-transport industry; '.asia' for Asia-Pacific entities; '.cat' for Catalan language and cultural sites; '.coop' for cooperatives; '.int' for international organizations; '.jobs' for human resources managers; '.mobi' for the mobile communications industry; '.museum' for museums; and '.travel' for the travel and tourism industry.
Direction
Lists of all websites registered under each TLD are stored on 'root servers' maintained in 13 clusters around the world for redundancy. When you punch a Web address into your browser, the first place it looks is the root server list for the TLD in the address; that list points it to the proper 'name server' for the website.
In Feburary 2016 21,
There are two basic types of domain name extensions: country code top-level domains, and generic top-level domains. Further, generic top-level domains can be either sponsored or unsponsored.
Country Codes
If the domain name extension of a website is only two characters long, then it's a country code top-level domain, or 'ccTLD.' Examples include '.us' for the United States, '.br' for Brazil and '.de' for Germany (Deutschland). Country codes are managed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, and as of 2010, there were nearly 250 ccTLDs, one for every country in the world plus special-status territories such as Hong Kong (.hk), the Falkland Islands (.fk) or Puerto Rico (.pr). Each country designates a government agency or a private company to handle registrations under its ccTLD, and each can set its own rules for who or what can register. Some allow only their own citizens or businesses to register, others allow anyone to register--and some actively market their ccTLDs as a source of revenue. Two examples of the latter are the Pacific Ocean island nations of Tuvalu (.tv) and the Federated States of Micronesia (.fm).
Unsponsored
The most common domain name extensions are the unsponsored generic TLDs. They're called 'unsponsored' because no agency approves registrations; anyone anywhere in the world can register domains with these extensions. Unsponsored TLDs include '.com,' '.org' and '.net.' Generally, '.com' sites are commercial, '.org' websites belong to non-profits and trade associations, and '.net' addresses are used by Internet-related companies, but these categories are not enforced at all. If you go to register a domain with a '.org' extension, no one is going to check whether your organization qualifies. Other unsponsored generic TLDs include '.info,' '.biz' and '.name.'
Sponsored
Sponsored generic top-level domains are those that have a gatekeeper--an agency or organization that decides who can and can't register. The most familiar sponsored extensions are '.gov,' which is managed by the U.S. federal government; '.edu,' which is open only to post-secondary educational institutions accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; and '.mil,' reserved for the U.S. military. Other sponsored TLDs include '.aero' for the air-transport industry; '.asia' for Asia-Pacific entities; '.cat' for Catalan language and cultural sites; '.coop' for cooperatives; '.int' for international organizations; '.jobs' for human resources managers; '.mobi' for the mobile communications industry; '.museum' for museums; and '.travel' for the travel and tourism industry.
Direction
Lists of all websites registered under each TLD are stored on 'root servers' maintained in 13 clusters around the world for redundancy. When you punch a Web address into your browser, the first place it looks is the root server list for the TLD in the address; that list points it to the proper 'name server' for the website.
In Feburary 2016 21,
Dienstag, 16. Februar 2016
Tax Treatment of Domain Name CostsIn Feburary 2016 16,
In Feburary 2016 16,
The validity of a domain name cost as a viable tax deductible expense depends on how the expense occurs. To begin with, the cost needs to be specifically identified. Domain name costs can arrive in a variety of ways. These include domain registration, purchase of an existing domain, development and brand design including the creation of a domain name, and revision work. The applicable tax rules vary depending on which category an expense falls into.The first step for a taxpayer to confirm is which type of tax treatment applies. The taxpayer needs to determine if related expenses associate with a hobby or with a business.
Tax Treatment as a Hobby
Hobbies have a special treatment from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service since the agency understands that some hobbies can be profitable but are not full-fledged businesses. A tax filer notifies the IRS of a hobby's existence when filing personal income taxes. The tax rules generally allow expenses to maintain the hobby to be deducted from the hobby's declared income. However, such expenses, whether they are Internet-related or any other kind of expense, are not allowed to be more than the profit declared. In other words, the tax filer must avoid declaring hobby income as a loss. The lowest the hobby income can be is net zero as a dollar amount for the tax year. So domain name costs can be included if domain name collecting is the tax filer's hobby, but the expense cannot exceed the total income earned from the activity.
Tax Treatment as a Business
The IRS looks at domain name costs in two ways: capital costs and ongoing, recurring business expenses. General registration, added domain name protection services and recurring maintenance costs for a domain name are all considered regular business expenses. These are deductible from income a business may earn in the same tax year.However, where a business purchases a domain name that already exists, or invests heavily to develop that domain name as a brand and trademark, then the IRS looks at the related expense as a permanent business benefit. Such expenses move toward capital costs that need to be depreciated over time, much the same way as a company vehicle purchase is reported and depreciated. Doing so reduces the deduction benefit of the domain name expense against a single year's income.
Documentation
For either a business or hobby involving a domain name cost, documentation represents the best success for defending one's case before the IRS. Receipts, invoices, emails involving payments, and bank statements provide valid, legal proof of expenses with sufficient detail to identify the cost and who charged it. Hearsay and verbal recollection generally fails any practical level of proof for tax agencies
Responding to an Audit
If you find yourself being audited for including a domain name cost as a business or hobby expense in your taxes, avoid panicking. IRS reviews, known as audits, occur regularly. Audits can be triggered by automated screening, red flag areas of tax filing, random selection or external information provided to the IRS. Rely on your documentation and explain your actions fully. Then work with the auditor to close the issue in a timely manner. Do not delay responding or ignore the audit; this can result in serious penalties.
In Feburary 2016 16,
The validity of a domain name cost as a viable tax deductible expense depends on how the expense occurs. To begin with, the cost needs to be specifically identified. Domain name costs can arrive in a variety of ways. These include domain registration, purchase of an existing domain, development and brand design including the creation of a domain name, and revision work. The applicable tax rules vary depending on which category an expense falls into.The first step for a taxpayer to confirm is which type of tax treatment applies. The taxpayer needs to determine if related expenses associate with a hobby or with a business.
Tax Treatment as a Hobby
Hobbies have a special treatment from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service since the agency understands that some hobbies can be profitable but are not full-fledged businesses. A tax filer notifies the IRS of a hobby's existence when filing personal income taxes. The tax rules generally allow expenses to maintain the hobby to be deducted from the hobby's declared income. However, such expenses, whether they are Internet-related or any other kind of expense, are not allowed to be more than the profit declared. In other words, the tax filer must avoid declaring hobby income as a loss. The lowest the hobby income can be is net zero as a dollar amount for the tax year. So domain name costs can be included if domain name collecting is the tax filer's hobby, but the expense cannot exceed the total income earned from the activity.
Tax Treatment as a Business
The IRS looks at domain name costs in two ways: capital costs and ongoing, recurring business expenses. General registration, added domain name protection services and recurring maintenance costs for a domain name are all considered regular business expenses. These are deductible from income a business may earn in the same tax year.However, where a business purchases a domain name that already exists, or invests heavily to develop that domain name as a brand and trademark, then the IRS looks at the related expense as a permanent business benefit. Such expenses move toward capital costs that need to be depreciated over time, much the same way as a company vehicle purchase is reported and depreciated. Doing so reduces the deduction benefit of the domain name expense against a single year's income.
Documentation
For either a business or hobby involving a domain name cost, documentation represents the best success for defending one's case before the IRS. Receipts, invoices, emails involving payments, and bank statements provide valid, legal proof of expenses with sufficient detail to identify the cost and who charged it. Hearsay and verbal recollection generally fails any practical level of proof for tax agencies
Responding to an Audit
If you find yourself being audited for including a domain name cost as a business or hobby expense in your taxes, avoid panicking. IRS reviews, known as audits, occur regularly. Audits can be triggered by automated screening, red flag areas of tax filing, random selection or external information provided to the IRS. Rely on your documentation and explain your actions fully. Then work with the auditor to close the issue in a timely manner. Do not delay responding or ignore the audit; this can result in serious penalties.
In Feburary 2016 16,
Dienstag, 9. Februar 2016
How to Plan an Evening Business MixerIn Feburary 2016 09,
In Feburary 2016 09,
Although multiple members might step up to host a business mixer, matching the location to the expected turnout is key to a successful event. For example, during the spring, a spacious waterfront restaurant provides an ideal venue for an outdoor barbecue event expected to draw 150 or more attendees. On the other hand, a financial-services business might have plenty of mingling room for an expected turnout of 40 to 50 business owners and professionals.
Mixer Structure Provides Variety
While all business mixers provide networking opportunities, many also feature value-added segments that help members promote their businesses. For example, attendees may briefly describe their businesses in front of everyone at a Chamber mixer. At another mixer, organizers might shine the spotlight on new members, introducing them to a roomful of potential customers. Members who donate a door prize usually receive special mention. Organizers invite the hosting member to present a longer pitch about an aspect of her business. Most mixers feature a business-card and promotional-materials table in a prominent spot.
Right Refreshments Are Necessary
Each hosting member makes his own refreshment choices, with some business owners opting for a “do it yourself” approach and others contracting with a catering company. Hosts generally serve easy-to-handle finger foods and appetizers along with nonalcoholic beverages. Other hosting members might include beer and/or wine. If you match the quantity of refreshments and attendees, everyone will have sufficient snacks and drinks for the entire evening.
Promotion Gets the Word Out
Chamber staff generally promote evening business mixers in the organization's print and/or electronic newsletter. Staff members often send out an extra e-mail blast that reminds members of the upcoming event; and the event likely appears on the Chamber website. Sending a brief description of the event to local newspapers frequently leads to additional coverage and attracts curious member prospects eager to check out the group.
In Feburary 2016 09,
Although multiple members might step up to host a business mixer, matching the location to the expected turnout is key to a successful event. For example, during the spring, a spacious waterfront restaurant provides an ideal venue for an outdoor barbecue event expected to draw 150 or more attendees. On the other hand, a financial-services business might have plenty of mingling room for an expected turnout of 40 to 50 business owners and professionals.
Mixer Structure Provides Variety
While all business mixers provide networking opportunities, many also feature value-added segments that help members promote their businesses. For example, attendees may briefly describe their businesses in front of everyone at a Chamber mixer. At another mixer, organizers might shine the spotlight on new members, introducing them to a roomful of potential customers. Members who donate a door prize usually receive special mention. Organizers invite the hosting member to present a longer pitch about an aspect of her business. Most mixers feature a business-card and promotional-materials table in a prominent spot.
Right Refreshments Are Necessary
Each hosting member makes his own refreshment choices, with some business owners opting for a “do it yourself” approach and others contracting with a catering company. Hosts generally serve easy-to-handle finger foods and appetizers along with nonalcoholic beverages. Other hosting members might include beer and/or wine. If you match the quantity of refreshments and attendees, everyone will have sufficient snacks and drinks for the entire evening.
Promotion Gets the Word Out
Chamber staff generally promote evening business mixers in the organization's print and/or electronic newsletter. Staff members often send out an extra e-mail blast that reminds members of the upcoming event; and the event likely appears on the Chamber website. Sending a brief description of the event to local newspapers frequently leads to additional coverage and attracts curious member prospects eager to check out the group.
In Feburary 2016 09,
Samstag, 6. Februar 2016
Places to Get Donations for a BenefitIn Feburary 2016 06,
In Feburary 2016 06,
As soon as you decide to host a benefit event, make a list of charities and organizations in the area that might help. For example, if you're hosting a benefit to raise money for the family of a firefighter that died of cancer, you might ask for help from cancer societies and local fire companies. Write a simple letter explaining the reason behind the benefit and where the proceeds will go. Send letters to organizations in your city and state, with details on when you need donations and the type of donations you need.
Local Businesses
Solicit donations from local businesses for your benefit. Make a list of everything you need and divide volunteers into small groups, sending the groups to different businesses. Include smaller and less expensive items, such as napkins and food donations, as well as larger items. Some businesses and stores might want to help, but can't afford to donate any of the larger items you need. You can also ask the businesses to hang posters or flyers for the benefit, gaining advertising for the event.
Community Members
Ask for help from people in the community, especially those connected to the event. Volunteers can donate their time, working during the benefit to seat people, serving as security guards, making food or taking care of children. You also need people to donate smaller items, especially if you can't get enough donations through other means. Community members might donate ingredients for a benefit dinner or bottled water for a benefit concert that takes place on a hot day.
Celebrity Donations
Never underestimate the power of local celebrities, including radio DJs, newscasters, reporters and athletes. Ask celebrities to donate their time to appear at the benefit, signing autographs for fans or giving a short speech before the benefit begins. You can also ask famous people to donate signed memorabilia and offer those items for sale during a live or silent auction to raise additional money.
In Feburary 2016 06,
As soon as you decide to host a benefit event, make a list of charities and organizations in the area that might help. For example, if you're hosting a benefit to raise money for the family of a firefighter that died of cancer, you might ask for help from cancer societies and local fire companies. Write a simple letter explaining the reason behind the benefit and where the proceeds will go. Send letters to organizations in your city and state, with details on when you need donations and the type of donations you need.
Local Businesses
Solicit donations from local businesses for your benefit. Make a list of everything you need and divide volunteers into small groups, sending the groups to different businesses. Include smaller and less expensive items, such as napkins and food donations, as well as larger items. Some businesses and stores might want to help, but can't afford to donate any of the larger items you need. You can also ask the businesses to hang posters or flyers for the benefit, gaining advertising for the event.
Community Members
Ask for help from people in the community, especially those connected to the event. Volunteers can donate their time, working during the benefit to seat people, serving as security guards, making food or taking care of children. You also need people to donate smaller items, especially if you can't get enough donations through other means. Community members might donate ingredients for a benefit dinner or bottled water for a benefit concert that takes place on a hot day.
Celebrity Donations
Never underestimate the power of local celebrities, including radio DJs, newscasters, reporters and athletes. Ask celebrities to donate their time to appear at the benefit, signing autographs for fans or giving a short speech before the benefit begins. You can also ask famous people to donate signed memorabilia and offer those items for sale during a live or silent auction to raise additional money.
In Feburary 2016 06,
Donnerstag, 4. Februar 2016
What Is the Difference Between Internal External Website Hosting?In Feburary 2016 04,
In Feburary 2016 04,
Internal hosting for a website refers to a company possessing its own servers and hardware dedicated to its website's files and bandwidth. Everything is run and managed in-house, and all of the equipment, technology and support are provided directly by the company itself.
What Is External Hosting?
External hosting for websites includes buying service space and bandwidth capabilities from another company. Large hosting companies, ranging from Host Gator to Go Daddy and dozens of others, provide a variety of plans with different monthly fees. This enables businesses of all sizes to have a website without the need for their own equipment and resources.
Pros and Cons of Internal Hosting
The advantages of internal hosting include direct oversight and control. When everything is properly set up, maintained and scaled, it provides maximum reliability. Drawbacks include the upfront costs of purchasing servers and other equipment, as well as the need for IT staffing to manage and support the server and network. It requires special attention and care for installation and ongoing maintenance.
Pros and Cons of External Hosting
External hosting is typically cheap, and easy to get started with. Hosting plans for many companies start at $10 per month or less, no equipment needs to be purchased and no additional staffing or other resources are needed. Support and security are provided for the business as well. Drawbacks include a lack of direct oversight and the potential for increased downtime or outages depending on the scale of the hosting plan that's purchased.
Choose Based on Needs
No single solution will work for every organization or business. Choosing between internal hosting and external hosting for a website means thinking about the needs, resources and desires of the particular enterprise. Choose a solution that will be easy to implement and work with, and will provide the greatest range of benefits that the business hopes to achieve based upon its size and the nature of its operations.
In Feburary 2016 04,
Internal hosting for a website refers to a company possessing its own servers and hardware dedicated to its website's files and bandwidth. Everything is run and managed in-house, and all of the equipment, technology and support are provided directly by the company itself.
What Is External Hosting?
External hosting for websites includes buying service space and bandwidth capabilities from another company. Large hosting companies, ranging from Host Gator to Go Daddy and dozens of others, provide a variety of plans with different monthly fees. This enables businesses of all sizes to have a website without the need for their own equipment and resources.
Pros and Cons of Internal Hosting
The advantages of internal hosting include direct oversight and control. When everything is properly set up, maintained and scaled, it provides maximum reliability. Drawbacks include the upfront costs of purchasing servers and other equipment, as well as the need for IT staffing to manage and support the server and network. It requires special attention and care for installation and ongoing maintenance.
Pros and Cons of External Hosting
External hosting is typically cheap, and easy to get started with. Hosting plans for many companies start at $10 per month or less, no equipment needs to be purchased and no additional staffing or other resources are needed. Support and security are provided for the business as well. Drawbacks include a lack of direct oversight and the potential for increased downtime or outages depending on the scale of the hosting plan that's purchased.
Choose Based on Needs
No single solution will work for every organization or business. Choosing between internal hosting and external hosting for a website means thinking about the needs, resources and desires of the particular enterprise. Choose a solution that will be easy to implement and work with, and will provide the greatest range of benefits that the business hopes to achieve based upon its size and the nature of its operations.
In Feburary 2016 04,
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