Ohio SBA Offers Free Classes

Have a question about running your business here in Ohio?

FEED YOUR BRAIN.

The SBA has updated it’s online training program.  I highly recommend you check out this great resource for business learning.  In addition to great online information, The Columbus Ohio Office of the Small Business Association  is offering a free 9 month Resource Training Seminar Series.

Each individual seminar is designed to enhance the setup and /or growth of your small business concern. Mark your calendar and plan to attend these informative and very exciting small business seminars. “You Owe Your Business, Every Opportunity For Its Success”

The first seminar is over, but there are still 8 more you can attend.

To register on-line at www.sba.gov/oh/columbus. (Look under “Spotlight” on the left side in the white area.).

In the on-line Technology 101  class they discuss business websites, Web 2.0  and Social Media.  They point out that your website cost should not be higher than the value the website can bring to your business.  I couldn’t agree more.

That’s why I started WEBORTUNITY, to help small business owners here in Sunbury Ohio  have an up to date website without breaking the bank.

Find out if we can build a website to help grow your business.  Call 800-339-4528

Google Helps Local Business

Having your local business  listed in Google Maps just became more important than ever.

WHY?
Try searching on Google right now for Pizza. Not Pizza Sunbury or Pizza Delaware just Pizza.
See the pizza shops close to you listed with the map on the  first page.

How did they do that? Google is using the location of your ISP ( internet service provider) as your city location and then providing you with local business results for your search.

This new feature has potential to greatly increase exposure to local business.
Your business can be listed with Google Maps even if you don’t have a website yet.
The listing will provide local searchers with your business name, address, phone number and
even coupons if you wish.

If you are not listed in Google Maps, and don’t know how to do it yourself, I can help.

Call 800-339-4528,  I can set up your listing in about 20 minutes.

Read Before you Write

Write your check that is.
Today in our snail mail,  yet another  phony bill arrived.

It is cleverly disguised to look like it came from the State of Ohio Government, it did NOT.

There is always the official looking seal.  The mail I received has the words OHIO CORPORATE COMPLIANCE in the Seal.

Even though I have been completing government forms for about 20 years my heart still beats a little faster when the envelope reads State of Ohio.  I think the fraudsters know that, so they “hide” the necessary disclosure that this is not a state form in the text I am likely to skim.

They put their phone number to call with questions everywhere, that’s the rub.  If they put such deceiving information in print, image how deceiving they will be on the phone.

Here’s my advice.  If you get any mail that may be from the State of Ohio before you take any action visit the Ohio.Gov web site. Or call  866-OHIO-GOV.

NEVER Call the number on the questionable mail.

Remember the government really does work for you and you should not hesitate to ask questions.  Whenever I have contacted the State of Ohio I have always received kind and helpful information.

Growing Local Search

A leading industry study reported that  local search grew a whopping 58% in 2008.
So what does that mean for you, the small business owner here in central Ohio?

MORE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY!

The trend tells us  that consumers are increasing their reliance on the Internet as a source of local information.

When Consumers are ready to make a purchase they are looking on the web to find a company to spend their money with, EVEN if the company is right down the street.

3  things you can do to take advantage of this trend

• Have an up to date web site
• Have  your web site  listed in the  local search directories
• Have an easy to access business address and directions on your site

If you want to take advantage of the growing local search market but don’t know where to start, we can help.

Call 800-339-4528 or email Designer@Webortunity.com to schedule a free consultation.

Need a Website?

Do you wish everyone in Columbus Ohio had your business card right at their fingertips?

Do you need a cost effective way to communicate with clients?

Do you run specials you want your clients to find out about?

Do you want to attract more business?

Do you want newcomers to your local neighborhood to know about your company?

If you answered yes to more than 1 question, keep reading.

The way we use the internet has really changed over the last few years and it appears the “local web” trend will continue.

When the internet became main stream we were all thrilled we could get information from across the country – heck we could even get information from across the world.

Now that the web is not the shiny new toy it once was, it is finding it’s way in the local market in a big way.

Yes it’s still fun to talk to someone half way around the globe, but when I need to get my haircut or order a pizza, I prefer a business much closer to home, how about you?

Google, Yahoo and Microsoft have all added “local search” are you listed?

Webortunity wants to help you attract more local clients right here in Ohio.
Think of it as putting your business card in the hand of everyone in and around Ohio.

Give us a call 800-339-4528 for your free phone consultation.

Ohio Sales Tax Change

As of 1/1/09 Sales Tax for the State of Ohio must be filed electronically or by phone.

From the tax.ohio.gov web site the new rule applies to the tax collected after 1/1/09.
That means the report that is due by 2/23/09 (if you file monthly)

I went ahead and filed our most recent sales tax report using the E-form choice that is offered.  Overall I think the new reporting system will work well.  There does appear to be a few bugs in the data entry.  They have a  mix up with our address that I could not override.  I made a phone call and they assured me they are working very hard to make sure all errors get fixed quickly.

As for the filing part including  electronic payment, it went very smooth.

I am always happy to eliminate paper from my office how about you?

Wilson RV

Please take time to browse the Wilson RV site to see some examples of work we can do for you.

Ready for a consulation, please call 800-339-4528

Our Business is putting your Business on the Web

We will help you
Stand Out from the crowd
with an effective, easy to use & easy to find web site.

We’ll Do All the Set Up & Updates
So You Can Focus on your Business and not worry about your web presence.

It’s no secret that a frequently updated website or blog is one of the best ways to get the attention of your target market, but all the work involved can leave you feeling like you’re drowning in website creation…leaving little time for anything else.

The truth is, an up to date website can be a very effective strategy for your business, but you need to concentrate on overseeing the business and planning your overall marketing strategy, not getting bogged down with your website. Creating websites are what we’re all about.

Call our Sunbury Ohio office at 740-936-7009
to schedule a free consultation and see if our service can give your business what it needs on the web.