Regardless of the size of your business or the nature of your product, you’ll have to find and hire other vendors to provide the essential services you’ll need to succeed. Whether you’re looking for a phone system, an online marketing company, or telemarketing help, this process can be overwhelming. Our Ladies Who Launch Buyer’s Guides, in partnership with Resource Nation, will save you hours of work by connecting you with quality pre-screened vendors in hundreds of business categories.
BUSINESS SECURITY SYSTEMS: Especially in certain industries, security is a priority for most businesses. Businesses with stock rooms full of expensive products, or businesses that have confidential information need to secure their business and make their employees feel safe as well.
Business Security Systems Introduction
Business Security Systems Basics
Business Security Systems Features
Choosing a Vendor and the Central Monitoring Station
Business Security Systems Cost
Business Security Systems Tips
BUSINESS CASH ADVANCE: A merchant cash advance, which is sometimes also called “business cash advance” or a “cash advance loan” is a non-traditional financing option for businesses. A cash advance is the exchange of future revenues for an immediate cash payment, or an “advance” on future sales. All types of businesses use cash advance transactions. Click on the links below to learn more.
Business Cash Advance Introduction
Terms to Know
Using Cash Advance and Factoring
Who is Eligible for a Cash Advance?
How the Cash Advance Process Works
Rates and Terms
Finding a Reputable Provider
Business-to-Business Tips
COPIERS/PRINTERS: This guide describes the various different features of printer copiers, offers tips for purchasing a machine, and breaks down the costs of copy equipment, supplies, and services. Click on the links below to learn more.
Introduction to Office Copiers
Copy Machine Terms and Acronyms
Using a Multi-Function Office Copier
Things to Evaluate Before Buying
Finding the Right Machine
Copier Features and Options
Copier Costs
Buyer Tips
CREDIT CARD PROCESSING: No matter how high-quality your product is, if paying for it is a hassle for potential customers, you’re going to lose business. Giving people the option of paying by credit card can certainly solve this problem, but is not something to take lightly. It’s important to understand the fees involved, how to choose the right credit processing service, and how accepting credit will affect your business. Click on the links below for more information.
Things to Remember When Choosing a Credit Card Service and Company
Credit Card Processing Terms
Qualifications for a Merchant Account
Determining if your Business is a High Risk
Types of Credit Card Processors
How to Hire a Qualified Credit Card Processing Provider
Choosing the Right Credit Card Service for your Business Needs
The Costs Involved with Credit Card Processing Services
DIRECT MAIL: Especially in certain industries, security is a priority for most businesses. Businesses with stock rooms full of expensive products, or businesses that have confidential information need to secure their business and make their employees feel safe as well.
Introduction to Direct Mail
The Mailing List: The Basic of Direct Mail
Materials to Mail
Tips for Your Direct Mail Campaign
E-COMMERCE: First and foremost in E-commerce web design, customers have to be able to find you when they want your product. Marketing yourself via the internet will get the word out about your business and will drive traffic to your site. Make sure that once they are at your site, navigating around is quick and easy. Nothing is worse than waiting 10 minutes for a page to load, only to have it read, “Product Not Available”.
What to Know When Choosing an E-Commerce Company for Your Website
E-Commerce Key Terms and Definitions
E-Commerce Regulatory Guidelines
Choosing Your E-Commerce Shopping Cart
E-Commerce Tips
FACTORING: During the process of factoring, a business sells its invoices at a discount to a financial institution, a “factor,” thus generating cash quickly, allowing it to invest and grow. Is factoring right for your business? Click on the links below to learn more about the benefits of this income-building option.
Key Factors to Know About Business Factoring
Important Factoring Terminology
The Pros and Cons of Accounts Receivable Factoring
The Types of Businesses that Benefit from Factoring Services
Types of Business Factoring
Things to Look for in a Factoring Company
Factoring Discount Rates and Fees
Information on Factoring Contracts and Agreements
Important Tips for Buyers
FULFILLMENT SERVICES: By using a fulfillment service, you will be able to process more orders quickly and will be able to capitalize on their floor space and warehousing capabilities. Also, many fulfillment companies have relationships with shipping companies and receive discounts that they pass on to you.
What are Fulfillment Services?
10 Things to Know About Fulfillment Services
How Does It Work?
Fulfillment Terms & Definitions
Questions to Ask Fulfillment Companies
How to Choose a Fulfillment Provider
INBOUND CALL CENTER: Inbound call centers employ a group of live operators, project managers and account representatives to sell your products and services on your behalf while not necessarily working out of your office or place of business. They handle calls that are initiated by the customer and are most popular in departments of customer service, order processing and help desks.
10 Tips When Choosing an Inbound Call Center
Key Terms and Definitions
Questions to Ask Before You Choose
INCORPORATION:Whether you’re an experienced business woman or you’re just starting an entrepreneurial venture, incorporating your company can be confusing. From tax ID numbers to name searches to writing bylaws, incorporation involves many essential steps that, even if you do hire an attorney, can be overwhelming if you’re puzzled and disorganized. This incorporation guide for entrepreneurial business women will keep you on track and up-to-date so that LLCs, non-profits, S-Corps, C-Corps, permits and licenses aren’t so mysterious.
Incorporating Your Business
Incorporation Terms You Should Know
Characteristics of Legal Entities
Forming a Legal Entity
Choosing a Location for your Legal Entity
Choosing the Right Incorporation Service
Costs Associated with Incorporation
How to Have Legal Entity Success
==========
PAYROLL OUTSOURCING : When asked what they like most about running their own businesses, most entrepreneurs don’t put “processing payroll” at the top of the list. Payroll processing isn’t just printing and signing checks- it’s a detailed and often tedious process of computation, paperwork, and money transfers to different sources. Click on the links below to learn more.
Payroll Outsourcing Introduction
Terms to Know
Setting Up a Payroll Outsourcing Account
Payroll Outsourcing Options
Advantages to Outsourcing Payroll
Costs of Using a Payroll Service
Finding a Payroll Vendor
Tips for Buyers
POS: “POS” stands for “point-of-sale.” Many businesses, such as retail stores, restaurants, theme parks, hotels, salons and spas use POS systems to record items for purchase, to place orders, and to calculate bills. Click on the links below to learn more.
Introduction to POS Systems
POS Vocabulary
Who uses POS Systems?
POS Software Choices
Selecting POS Equipment
Pricing POS Components
Deciding on a Vendor
Implementing a POS System
POSTAGE METERS: “POSTAGE METERS” stands for “point-of-sale.” For companies that send out documents, bulk mailing or other forms of media to their vendors, employees and customers, postage meters become incredibly handy. A postage meter is a mechanical device that is linked up with a business account and provides paid postage for any mailing materials. In years prior, an employee would drive down to their local post office with a crate full of materials that had to be stamped and mailed out.
Reasons for a Postage Scale
Postage Meter Features
Postage Meter Supplies and Materials
Mailing System Equipment
Costs and Billing Options
Tips for Buyers
ONLINE MARKETING: Recognizing the importance of online marketing is easy; knowing how to use it to your advantage is the hard part. This online marketing guide contains all the information you’ll need to embark on a campaign and start building business. Key word research, strategies and search engine optimization are all here. The internet is one of the most effective ways to get the word out. Click on the links below to learn all about it.
How to choose an online marketing company that works for you
A guideline of online marketing terms
How interactive marketing works with keyword analysis
What search engine optimization services does your website need?
The benefits of pay per click services
Using email as a simple marketing tool
The benefits of search engine marketing services
Making social media work for you
Tips for the best online marketing strategies
PHONE SYSTEMS: Even though rotary phones are a thing of the past, telephones are still an essential office supply. But finding the right system can be confusing. Conference calls, voice mail, hold music, head sets, and even voice over IP (VOIP) are all options you’ll need to consider, along with cost and implementation. Click on the links below to get started on your search for the service that’s right for you.
Choosing a Phone System for your Business
Phone System Terminology
Assessing Your Business’ Phone System Needs
Phone System Options
Exploring VoIP
Phone System Costs
Choosing Your Phone System Vendor
Helpful Buyer’s Tips
TIME and ATTENDANCE: This Systems help companies manage payroll automatically and easily. Stream lining your employee’s time can save your company a lot of money and headache. Because no one is perfect and there are many people who will round up on their hours worked, many companies are just giving away money. It may seem little when looking at an individual basis, but when you add up every employee who is working their hours add up–it could mean a lot of money for your company.
Time and Attendance Introduction
Time and Attendance Options
Time and Attendance Costs
Time and Attendance Tips
TELEMARKETING: When used effectively, telemarketing can be an incredibly valuable business-building tool. But connecting with the right telemarketing firm is just the beginning. You’ll need to understand the strategies, laws, and expenses associated with this direct marketing tactic in order to craft your campaign correctly. Click on the links below to learn more.
An Introduction to Business Telemarketing
Outsourced Telemarketing: Does it Work for You?
What Telemarketing Services are Offered and How to Begin Your Search
Tips for Evaluating Telemarketing Firms
Required Expenses for Telemarketing
Steps toward Telemarketing Success
The Laws of Telemarketing
VoIP: VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol and is simply the transmission of voices over the internet, eliminating the large fees associated with local, long distance, and international telephone calls. For this reason, and because it is easy to install and to use, VoIP is becoming more and more popular with business women and entrepreneurs. This guide to VoIP includes valuable information on Analog Telephone Adapters, VoIP phones, and soft phones to help you understand this cutting-edge technology.
Everything You Need to Know About VoIP
VoIP Benefits
VoIP Terminology
VoIP System Costs
Finding a VoIP Vendor
Things to Consider with VoIP
Installing VoIP in Your Office
Final Tips
WEB DESIGN: These days, you can’t have a business without a Web site. But the world wide web can be tangled, and if you don’t understand the difference between html and url, it’s time to learn. Graphics, hyperlinks, videos, software and servers are all important concepts to grasp in order to make your Web site as attractive and as valuable as possible. Whether you already have a Web site or you’re just getting started, this section has the information you need.
Introduction to Web Design
Services Provided by Web Designers
What Your Website Needs
Web Design Service Costs
Choosing Your Web Designer
Qualities of Good Web Design Companies
Understanding Web Design Contracts
What to Consider Upon Website Completion