What is Camtasia Software?

Camtasia 7 is very powerful software that you can use to capture your computer screen, or use to edit video that you’ve recorded with another type of camera like a webcam. You might wonder why you would want to conduct screen recording but when you consider that by using software such as Camtasia to record your screen you can then teach anyone how to do something on the computer. Some of the functions you can complete using Camtasia:Record Desktop – Perhaps you want to show your mom how to block people on Facebook, or you want to show employees and contractors how to add an appropriate email signature using Gmail or Outlook,...

Basic Elements for Website Success

When someone decides to sell their products or services on the internet, the first thing they usually do is set up a website. After that first step many people feel lost as to what to do next.There’s pay per click, affiliate programs, social networking, search engine optimization, blogging and so much more.How do you decide what to do first?It might seem like the first thing to do is start bringing a steady stream of traffic to your website so you can start making those sales. Before you do that, the best thing to do is make sure your site is really ready to get traffic coming through the door.If your website isn’t ready to...

Create Training Videos – Common Questions & Answers

Creating training videos can move your business forward to the next level establishing yourself as an expert in your niche. Whether you use the videos to train clients or employees creating free or low cost training videos will give you the extra oomph that you need. You can in fact, create an entire business around training. Some common questions about creating free training videos are:How do I record my computer screen?Simple! Use a program such as Camtasia, click a few icons to start up the program and before you know it you’re recording your screen. You can record your screen to show anyone how to do anything on a computer...

User-Friendly Website Design

When I started my first e-commerce website I think it was very useful that I knew how to create and edit my own websites. Without having that skill it would have been frustrating and time consuming to try to figure out the best way to design a user-friendly website that I could edit and add content to myself.I see this as a common problem with those looking to build websites.Many people pay thousands of dollars to a designer who makes them a beautiful site. Then what? The site just sits there like a bump on a log, doing nothing and getting nowhere because the owner does not have a user-friendly site they can actually edit...

8 Important Features of Professional Website Design

Many people who are just getting started online want to create a free professional website so that they can prove to themselves that it will make money before they spend hundreds or thousands on a full blown web design. That’s usually a smart move.You will, however, at the very least want to pay for hosting so that the content you post online is yours. If you post to free website hosting sites then you are often giving up your authorship rights and your control of the website. If at any time, for any reason, they decide to shut down your website you will have no recourse or ability to get it back.With that in mind, it is entirely...

Building a Strong Internet Presence with WordPress

It’s true that a small business may not be able to compete against a large corporation when it comes to national media exposure, celebrity endorsements, and other aspects of high priced advertising campaigns. In the past, a small business owner was limited to the marketing exposure they could receive locally. Thanks to technology, that has all changed. Today, building an internet presence is especially important for small businesses.A strong internet presence will open the small business up to national exposure and give them a chance to compete with large corporations. Small businesses are no longer limited to doing business...

Using WordPress For Your Business Website

So you’re interested in using WordPress as your business site – smart move!But before you dive right in to planning and designing it, you’ve decided to do a little research.WordPress is most commonly known as a blogging platform but it’s grown in popularity as a website platform for both large and small businesses.Why Use WordPress For Business Websites?Easy to Install – With a good hosting program you can simply install WordPress with a few clicks.Easy to Update – One of the features of WordPress is the easy to use visual editor. It’s called a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor. You could compare this type of editor...

Easy Website Design Changes with WordPress

I was talking to a friend recently about using WordPress as a website. She asked me a great question that I receive often and thought it deserved a detailed response.The question was:“Can you change your WordPress theme without affecting or recreating your website’s content?”My answer:“Oh my goodness, yes!”The fact that you can make such a quick and easy complete website design change with WordPress themes has to be one of the greatest features of the program itself.Let’s compare this feature to your typical ‘old school’ HTML website. When designing a HTML website, you (or a website designer) can spend hours upon hours creating...

Video Tutorials on a Budget

One of the most expensive things you can buy these days is software. It seems like the price just keeps going up as the technology becomes more complex, with no stopping point in sight. Fortunately if you need to make tutorial videos and you need to create training videos there are some open source (free) options as well as some low-cost options.After you determine your budget if outsourcing is not an option, then take a look at the open-source and low-cost software offerings such as:AviScreen – A windows based screen capturing software, this software is limited in scope but very useful for creating soundless how to tutorials...

Free and Easy Website Design Tools

Designing a website doesn’t have to be a costly venture. It all depends on how you go about it and if you choose to use free website design tools.If you choose to hire a website design firm you can expect to pay thousands of dollars. Even when hiring a firm there is work for you to do. They will need your input on design ideas, content help and your overall knowledge of the business you run or intend to start.Maybe you want to do it yourself to save some time and learn a new skill. The first thing to do is start researching just how to build a website yourself. You’ll find out that there are a number of ways to do it:1. ...

Customizing Your WordPress Website or Blog

Almost everyone who installs their own WordPress theme will want to customize the header. How you do this depends on the theme in question.For most themes, you can use an FTP manager like Filezilla and then go in and replace the current header image on the theme. Again this will vary by theme so the best way to determine how to change your header is to find out if there are any support files with your theme and read them.The best thing about buying premium themes is that they almost always come with user support as well as forums and files to make installation and customization easy for you.Other items to customize:Sidebar...

What You Need to Design Your Business Website

So you’re ready to build your own website on the internet. Congratulations!You’ve made a smart decision by researching just what you will need. You see, it would be a mistake to just take the advice of the first person who tells you how to build a website. You likely have a relative or friend who knows how to make a site but that doesn’t mean it’s going to suit your needs.Let’s find out exactly what you need to design a website.1. A Business Plan – You might not think of a business plan as an essential website design tool but it absolutely is. The first thing you need to know before you do a domain name search is what you...

Make Your First Video Tutorial – How to Record Your Computer Screen

Creating instructional video tutorials using specialized software is easier than ever. By using specialized software to record your computer screen you will be able to create training videos on any subject you can imagine. Whether you want to show someone how to check their email, or how to use Skype, or how to use your software or complete a task relevant to your expertise, you can make a video tutorial by recording your computer screen.The reason you may want to make tutorial videos is because making a video tutorial is the next best thing to showing someone how to do something in person. In fact, it may even be better because...

Tips for Building a Successful Affiliate Website

You’ve chosen affiliate marketing as a main or supplementary source of income. Smart move!Now it’s time to create your marketing plan and you want to know how to build a successful affiliate website to make money with your promotions.The first thing you need to do is choose how you will set up your site. You have a few possibilities here:1. E-commerce Style – This type of site is set up as if you were the vendor. You choose a niche, target market or product line and build the website around showcasing the products.2. Information Style – An information type of site is built to first get information seekers and then convert...

Turn Your WordPress Blog Into a Website

Want an easy way to start a website? If you already have a WordPress blog then with a few simple tweaks you can turn your WordPress blog into a website.You see, a WordPress blog allows you to have both posts and pages.Let’s talk about the difference between the two:Posts:A post will show up on your blog page. Posts are most commonly listed in chronological order with the most recent post first. They are commonly available with a comment form for users to comment and interact with the blog author. You usually find blog posts by checking the blog page for the most recent post, by clicking on the category you would like to read...

Creating Web Graphics For Your Online Business

Everyone doing business online knows how important it is to have a great website. What many don’t realize at first, however, is that a website is not just words and a layout. The determining factor in a website that’s just plain OK and one that is amazing has a whole lot to do with graphics.If you need an example, look at any of the popular websites you visit on a daily basis and take note of how much is content and how much is images.First and foremost, professional-looking graphics lead to a professional-looking website. If your graphics are blurry, out of focus, or simply look haphazardly put together, the whole look of...

Creating a Unique Business Logo

Have you thought much about the branding you’re putting forth to your customers and clients?When it comes to marketing your business, something as simple as a memorable graphic or catchphrase can create brand recognition and help you establish your business reputation. This is so important because every business needs to establish a relationship where their customers know, like and trust them.When you think of Nike, what do you think of? For most people, the image of the Nike swoosh or the words “just do it” automatically jump into their mind when they think of the company.When you see an image of an apple with a bite taken...

5 Inspiring Custom Logo and Graphic Design Ideas

Many people think you need to be creative all the time to be in a creative field. I don’t believe so. I know I do pretty well and I don’t think that creativity is seeping out of me. I think I’ve just become good at developing ways to find inspiration when I need it so  I can create great custom graphics and logos for myself and my clients.So here are five sources of web site graphics design inspiration you might not have thought of:1. Down The Road – When you’re driving down the street have a look at the logos and colors you see in the businesses as you drive by. Most of these businesses will have hired a professional...

Creative Holiday Advertising with Graphics

“We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”What? But it’s not even Halloween Yet?Yes I know but now is definitely the time to be planning out your creative holiday advertising.Don’t make the mistake of thinking your business will slow to a halt during the holidays. Whether you’re selling products, services or anything else holidays, such as Christmas, are an opportunity.People are off on holidays, they’ve got gift money in their pockets, they’re feeling extra cheerful because family is around. AND they might have a little spare time to spend searching for what they want on the net.Creative Holiday AdvertisingNeed...

Comparing a Static Website and WordPress Blog

Trying to make a decision between using a static website vs. WordPress blog for your small business?Here is a comparison of both so you can make an informed decision!Static WebsiteA website made with HTML is commonly known as a static website. When a website is made in HTML it can be done all by hand (which is the long, outdated way and is rarely used) or it can be made with some sort of website design program such as Microsoft Expressions, Adobe Dreamweaver or a host of others.Pros:•    Quickly Created – For someone who knows what they are doing a simple one or two page static website is a quick process to...

Tips for Finding Affordable Website Design Services

So you’re ready to have your website designed and you’re looking for affordable website design services that also deliver quality at a reasonable pace.Tough order!You see, there is a fine balance between finding someone who does quality work and offers amazing customer service. It’s a rare case that you’ll find someone who’s amazing at their work and amazing at relating to the customer. So it’s important to know what you are on the lookout for so you see it when you find it.Here are some key points to remember when looking for website design services:1. Know what you want: Before you hire anyone to design your website you...

Important Website Design Features

There are some important features that all websites should include. When building your own website it’s a good idea to create a checklist of things that must be created in order to plan a proper site. Add the following to your list:1. Contact InformationThis is the most basic of design elements you need to have on your website but so many people miss it. You may think that because people are surfing around from website to website that they don’t bother to contact people and just order whatever they want and go on their merry way.The fact is that people want to do business with other people and if they can’t tell you’re a real...

How Using Amazon S3 Keeps Money In Your Pocket

A lot of people talk about using Amazon S3 because it is so affordable but don’t normally explain how it saves you money. If you’re wondering why you should pay extra to use Amazon S3 when you can embed or upload content directly into your web site, keep on reading.No Need To Pay For What You Don’t UseLarge content files like video, audio and sometimes even PDFs eat up web space and bandwidth (also called transfer) on your web host – really fast. Once you hit that limit, your content would be inaccessible.At that point, you will have to upgrade your web hosting package or temporarily add the extra resources you need. The cost...

Tips for Generating Traffic to Your New Website

So you’ve got your website up and now you’re ready to get some people reading it.Tip #1:  Write content that people are looking for and that is targeted to your website’s purpose. Fill your website with high-quality information that serves a purpose and provides high value at the same time. People come to the internet looking for information, entertainment or to find the answer to a problem – do any combination of these three things on a regular basis and you’re sure to have a hit on your hands.Tip #2:  Decide with a clear set of goals what you want to use your website for. Will it be to draw traffic to a service?...

Creating a WordPress Website

Are you ready to start a website? Have you been wondering what format your site should be set up in, with all the choices there are out there? Then you really should consider using WordPress.You likely know WordPress as one of the most popular blogging platforms available but it can do so much more then just let you post a few entries to your blog. Using WordPress as a Website or CMS (Content Management System) has many advantages, here are some to consider:Easy Setup – Setting up WordPress is easy. If you have fantastico in your domain’s control panel then in a few clicks you’ll have WordPress up and running. If you don’t...

How to Get People to Read Your Blog

Ever feel frustrated that people don’t seem to be swarming to your blog or website? Wonder why they’re not?I’ve been blogging for awhile now and I’ve learned a few things about how to get people to visit your blog or website.Check Your Keywords – Keywords work. Keywords are what REAL people type into REAL computers to find your website. Use ’em ok?Please don’t think I’m being patronizing here because I’m not! I ignored keywords in my own business for a long time but I think it’s really important if you want to build something that continues to work for you even when you’re not there – targeted keywords can do that.Know Your...

How I Made Money Providing a Service, You Can Too

I can hardly believe it but I’ve been online for over 13 years. When I heard ‘the internet’s coming to town’ I was one of the first to walk myself into a teeny little office in our small town and sign myself and my family up for dial up internet service.Back then, in 1996, I spent most of my time online chatting on chat boards. Then in 1999 I had a friend in college give me a sheet of html code and tell me I could use it to get a website page on the internet.From 1999 until now I’ve spent hundreds and hundreds of hours over multiple businesses. One of the businesses I’ve spent the most time on is the business of providing...

Tips for Building Your Email List

There are many people who don’t start a mailing list in the beginning of their online presence because they feel they don’t have enough to share with a list. This is a big mistake! Email marketing is NOT dead and you need to be building your mailing list, now. You don’t have to start by sending out a huge newsletter every week, but you do have to start building that list. What you send to your email list will really depend on your market, and what they have subscribed to receive. You could do any number of the following: * A monthly, weekly or bi-weekly html (colors, pictures) newsletter * A monthly, weekly or bi-weekly...

Using Email Marketing as a Profitable Sales Tool

You’ve heard that using your email to sell products or services on the internet is the thing to do but you have no idea where to start.Using email as a profitable sales tool doesn’t have to be complicated.You need to connect with your audience no matter what tool you use. Email just allows you another way to do so. Some of the common reasons business owners don’t use email marketing is because they (1) fear it will take up too much time, (2) don’t feel they have enough expertise to write a ‘newsletter’ or (3) feel that marketing through email is ‘spamming’.Let’s address each of these issues:1. Too Much Time – This is a common...

5 Hot Tips for Boosting Ezine Sign-Ups

If you already have an ezine/newsletter and would like to get more people signing up to it (who doesn’t!) here are some simple things you can do now to increase subscriptions and get more people signing up to your newsletter.1. Look at Your Sign-Up Boxes – What do they say? Is the text appealing? Do you have an attractive graphic?Your newsletter signup area should be like a mini-salespage. It should have a headline that is attention-getting and grabs people to pull them in and tell them the benefits of handing over their email address. Just putting up a form that says ‘fill out your name and email to be added to my list’ is...