10 Ways Your Chamber of Commerce Can Help Your Business Grow

Joining your area's Chamber of Commerce can be a smart move for your home business. Because businesses that participate in this group promote each other and work together, your own business can grow and prosper quickly. Here are just a few ways you can benefit by joining your local Chamber of Commerce:

- If you make it known that your product or service makes great client or employee gifts, you could wind up with a very nice flow of business from your fellow Chamber members.

- You may be able to line up some lunchtime sales or parties featuring your products at local businesses to help employees with gift shopping (especially at Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day).

- You may qualify for less-expensive health insurance and business insurance available to Chamber of Commerce members.

- You can find out about local events where you might set up a booth and promote your business.

- You'll meet good, reliable sources for products and services like accounting, printing, computer support, etc.

- You'll be referred to other Chamber members' contacts.

- You have a good chance of meeting local retailers who may be interested in carrying your products.

- You'll have an opportunity to do joint ventures with other local businesses, such as cooperative advertising or trunk shows.

- Your business name can be associated with improving your community, since Chambers of Commerce generally work on civic improvement, legislation favoring local businesses, and economic development.

- You may have access to mentors who can help you develop your business; or you may be able to serve as a mentor to someone else.

These are just a few of the many ways your area's Chamber of Commerce can give you access to a valuable networking and marketing system. You can find your local Chamber of Commerce in the business listings of your phone book.

7 Key Steps to Make More Money With E-commerce

E-commerce has helped traditional businesses to grow further by using the Internet as their marketing and selling tool to reach more clients. Today, giant businesses from different industries are taking advantage of E-commerce because it is easy to use and more profitable. In this article, you will be guided on how you can succeed in E-commerce.

1. Make sure that search engines recognize you. Your domain name must be unique and keyword rich so online users can pull up your site in just few clicks on their mouse.

2. Make it easy for online users to purchase products from your site. Accept major credits cards, charge small shipping and handling fee, and make your web site user-friendly.

3. Pay attention to your customers' online security. Assure your clients that your web site is secure so they will be confident to provide their billing information.

4. Offer value-added services. The competition in E-commerce cannot be tighter this days. To attract more clients throw in some freebies or features like next day delivery, 24/7 live customer service, or a gift that comes with the purchase.

5. Send your customers weekly newsletters. Keep them updated with new products and services, promotions, discounts, and web site's new features. Sending newsletter can also be one effective way so customers will not forget your sites or products.

6. Advertise your site and company. Employ marketing and advertising techniques to promote your site so it will get the exposure it needs. Affiliate marketing is a good start to make your web site known.

7. Post genuine testimonials of your satisfied clients. This is one of the most effective advertising mediums to persuade your client to make a purchase.