Small business and taxes go hand in hand. You’ve started a small business online, and while it’s going well, you’ve never thought much about taxes….until now! Its that time of year, and suddenly you realize that you’ve got a small online business. Oops, how did that happen?I was just playing around on line and made a little money. If you made over a certain amount my friend, it’s time to file taxes.

Online retailers are not exempted from paying taxes. With confusing rules and laws, how do they all apply to you, the online business owner? If you’re a business owner, it’s time to “man up” and handle yourself like a business.

Let’s talk sales tax. Did you know that you’re responsible for it? You should be collecting it, along with paying taxes if they are physical products you’re selling. Digital products, and it’s a little different. Here’s the scoop, sales made in your state may need to be taxed, where as sales in another state may not need to be. You’re paying based on your business location.

Listen, don’t panic. Keep good records, speak with an accountant and learn what you’ll need to know. It doesn’t have to be scary. It’s the lack of information that makes it seem so daunting. Be in the know, and figure out what you’re responsible for…it’s as simple as that.

Know what not to do? Don’t send your customers in circles trying to find answers.

I went on a last minute trip last week, and everything was easily booked. I needed to make a small shift to my reservations and asked at the front desk as I checked in. I was told that the front desk couldn’t handle that matter, and that I needed to call their central reservation line. Okay, no biggie, I’ll take care of it when I get to my room.

I call central reservation and am bumped from one to another, to yet another person. Nope, sorry, you’ll need to take care of that at the front desk. What? The front desk told me I had to speak with you. Nope, they were wrong, talk to them. Call the manager there…

I call the manager at the front desk to take care of this detail, and I’m told they can’t handle that, that I need to call central reservation…

WHOA….enough all ready! This wasn’t going to do. Finally I was pushed to concierge.

I was a bit weary, as I’d all ready spoken with a bunch of people, and really, it wasn’t a big deal…what needed to be done. Finally, I go to concierge (in person, forget the phone at this point) and tell them I’ve had to speak with 4-5 people all ready, and I was trying to handle a small detail.

Her confident response, “I’ll be the last person you talk to about it. We’ll do whatever needs to be done to correct this,” made me feel like I’d finally found my answer. You know what, I had. She simply took matters into her own hands, and with all of a 3 or 4 minute phone call, it was all resolved. Done…simply and quickly. She renewed my faith at that point, but it really opened my eyes in this scenario. Look how many people didn’t want to be bothered, or pushed it aside…when really anyone could have handled it.

The situation? I was switching between one hotel and another, all owned by the same company. She took care of those details in minutes…not a big deal. She was uncertain why no body else could help me with that…but I was glad to meet up with her, that’s certain.

Look at your own business? How many people do customers have to go through to get something accomplished? If a customer is being bumped from person to person, maybe it’s time to relook at how you’re handling customer service.

Does your small business have what it takes to survive? Or will it be another statistic? Did you know that many small businesses fail in their first 3 years? Sometimes it’s simple mistakes a business owner makes that will cause the failure. Avoiding these mistakes may help your business survive past that important threshold.

Have you researched your market? If you’re just jumping in, without doing the research, you may end up in trouble. Sure it sounded like a good idea when you thought of it, but without background information you’re walking into a wall. What type of demand does your service or product have? Is it enough of a demand to warrant a full business around it? Is the market all ready saturated? What are people willing to pay for this product or service, and how far off the mark are you with your pricing?

One of my downfalls is my record keeping. I have to push myself to stay on top of it. Record keeping is vital, and something you don’t want to slack on. Not only will you have records and transaction for things like taxes, but you’ll be able to analyze your data to see what things may or may not be working for your small business.

The other thing many small businesses don’t have in tact is sufficient capital. When you’re starting out there are often expenses you haven’t thought of. Sure you can figure out your main beginning expenses, but what about the day to day operations? What about when things come up? If you don’t have immediate access to funds when you need them, it can be detrimental to your business.

Lastly, many small businesses don’t have a marketing plan. They go about all details of their business and just assume that people will show up. My friend, if you don’t have means to grow your business, and gain new customers, you’ll eventually stagnate and your business will no longer thrive. Marketing is a crucial element in building the success of your business.

Avoid common pitfalls, and your small business will have the chance to survive longer than most!

While we’re all trying to get a sale, something that’s often neglected is the follow-up and continuing relations with your client or customer. I worked with a spa one time that wrote handwritten personalized thank-you notes to all their new customers. So many of those customers spoke of this personal touch being something special in this day and age. It’s a tiny thing, takes a few minutes, but made a big impact. Most of those customers returned.

I’m not saying you need to write thank-you notes, but what I am saying is that taking the time to contact your customer after the sale extends a branch that says, now that the sale is over, we care about your opinion of our business, and we’d like you to consider us in the future for continued business and service.

It’s easy to get a customer, but much harder to keep that customer. Maintaining a relationship with customers, is the first step to keeping them loyal.

Take the time to drop a postcard, make a call or check in on your client to see if they’re satisfied or happy with the service of product you offered. When the client sees you making that extra effort, it will stay with them. It only takes a little bit of time, but the rewards are great…loyal customers, which in turn means more business.

A happy customer can in turn bring in more customers, through word of mouth. Take a moment to make sure your customers are happy.

You have a business online, but you can’t seem to convert. How’s your customer service?

Excellent customer service is the key to conversions when it comes to sales. If you fail here, you might as well shut that business down. If you can’t deliver help and enthusiasm, along with a pleasant attitude, you need to back up and start over. Do not pass go, do not collect that $200 conversion.

Customer service software can help your small business by offering support, and messengers. You’ll be able to not only track your customers, but also watch consumer behavior. Whether you use software that offers live chat, or help.

I was looking at a particular product, and I just wasn’t sure which of the options was right for me. I almost closed out that internet window and said forget about it, because I was concerned I might not make the right choice. I saw that they had live chat, and within five minutes, I’d made the right choice, felt good about it, and they got their sale. The ability to live chat with someone on a Saturday late at night saved them a sale. The questions I had were tiny, but the final outcome was huge- a sale.

How many customers are you losing? I almost closed out that window, and may or may not have gone back. What about your potential customers?

You’re a business trying to reach out to your customers…what do you do? One thing to consider is setting up a blog, but not just any blog- a useful blog. This blog should add value to your site, not just facts about your company.

While listening to Susie Gardner (Blogging for Dummies, 2nd edition) during Izeafest, she spoke of content improvement.

Here are some things that she lists as being good content, and things you can bring to your company blog: informative content, surprises, interaction, engaging information, inspiring information, or conveying important information.

Let’s take inspiring information as an example. Is there a charity that you’re a sponsor for, or participate in? Share a story of your company reaching out to help others, or becoming involved. Humanize your company and make a difference.

Maybe you’d like to have more interaction with your clients and customers. Ask them questions in your blog that might help direct areas that have been overlooked.

When looking at the goal of your site, you need to decide what you want to get out of it. Do you want better communication with your customers, or do you want to help your clients with projects. Maybe you’re a floor company, maybe you could offer tips on keeping your floors in good condition with useful information that’s not common knowledge.

Who exactly is your audience? When you know who you are speaking to, you can create content that is geared towards their needs. How often do people respond, and how often do you want to post to your company blog. Like a newsletter, you can have a monthly update, though I’d encourage weekly updates and information.

“Do the work that others won’t”, Jeremy “Shoemoney” Shoemaker said.

I got the chance to listen to “Shoemoney” speak at Izeafest. While he was talking blogging, I’m taking the information and sharing it with you in a business context.

When you’re looking at success, you have to look at not only what good can come out of it, but what else might happen. Being prepared is key. When you’re a success, you not only look at what’s working now, but you look at how to expand on something.

When it comes to businesses who are getting into the blogging end of things, to get more in touch with their customers, the most important thing to remember is to write for your customers. Be relevant, offer useful information your clients can use, and they’ll return in kind, and become more loyal customers.

When it comes to standing out and being different, you need to offer something that others don’t. If you offer the same thing, you need to find a new way to “package” that, so you have a unique spin on things. What’s your specialty, and when you know, let everyone else know too!

When it comes down to it, having the work ethic, and putting the time in will make a difference. Doing it in a unique manner, and offering something useful to your clients will keep you in business for a long time. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and see how they work. Do some split testing, and find out if you can improve on something. Don’t settle until you’re happy with how your business is working.

How much money are you losing with no shows?

Do you have a system in place to call people to remind them of appointments? Do you have a fee that you charge if people don’t show up?

I had a circumstance where I was the no show client, and I felt horrible. It was truly an oversite, but in the mean time, thinking in terms of business, I realized that I had just cost them money. That time that was booked for me, could have gone to another. Trust me, I all ready feel badly enough.

What it got me thinking about is all of those businesses who take appointments: hair, accounting, day spas, dentists and doctors- you get the picture.

How much are no shows costing you each day? Month? Year?

A simple phone call from the company was all I needed. In fact, a second appointment I ALMOST missed was saved due to a phone call reminding me. My brain is distracted right now, since I’ll be traveling shortly, and I’m launching a few new websites. That little 1 minute phone call got my dog to the vet, and I didn’t waste their time. If the other company had called, it would have been resolved.

What plan do you have in place? If you don’t have one, maybe it’s time you start thinking about one. Make sure to give client’s notice that you’re policy is changing, if it involves a fee for a “no show” now.

I went to a store today to pick up something for a trip I’m taking. It was a clothing store, and every single time I go there, they ask me if I’d like to open a charge with them. Each time I decline. It’s just part of the deal.

Today, as I was browsing not far from the register area, a woman was leaving and telling everyone around her to “push lots of credit cards” and make more money. The problem is that she said it right there in front of customers. Tacky. Nothing more to say…

I never thought much about them asking me about opening a credit card account before. This time it felt different. The words “push credit cards” were stuck in my head. That one woman (supervisor, I’m guessing) should have spoken of this with her employees in a private setting, or in a meeting. It shouldn’t have been broadcast in front of customers.

Are you getting lax and speaking of inappropriate things in front of customers?

Not everyone can be well liked at the office. Are you one of those people who annoys others? Sometimes it would seem obvious why people don’t like working with you, but for those who are oblivious, I made a list to help them out.

1. You constantly feel the need to “one-up” everyone.
2. You’re a slacker, and don’t carry your weight.
3. You talk on your phone too loudly and annoy everyone.
4. You’re not a team player. You’re only out for yourself.
5. You take food that isn’t yours out of the lunchroom fridge.
6. You borrow money and don’t pay it back.
7. You do sloppy, half-arsed work, and have no desire to improve.
8. You have bad hygiene. Soap, toothpaste, deodorant…simple, inexpensive objects…try using them.
9. You’re the office gossip, or can’t keep a secret.
10. You take advantage of your breaks and always come back late.

Recognize yourself? This was your brick over your head wake-up call!