IF YOU CAN BUILD IT

A wholesaler who sold rugs and handicrafts made byartisans in Egypt, Turkey and Tanzania, Suzanne Koch could seemingly do it all. She was certain she could make the business, with a staff of one, a success. What she couldn’t seem to figure out was the company website. And she is not unlike the millions of small business owners out there. According BusinessWeek magazine, 35% of business owners who have internet access don’t have a website. But, two days after turning to a Web services and domain registration company, Koch launched the Wow! Imports website. Small businesses represent 99.7% of all employer firmsand employ about half of all private sector employees. But, creating a site and going beyond a site to establish email, e-commerce, e-marketing,is a timeconsuming and specialized endeavor. Entrepreneurs may find their otherwise savvy-selves feelingtech-challenged, ill-equipped to undertake the project. Whether you operate a firm that employs a few dozen people, you’re selling things on eBay or giving guitar lessons, you’re a small business owner. At this point you may have already purchased the domain name but what do you do next? On the internet, what specific tactics and tools can help enhance your image, grow your business, and make an impact? Douglas Shuman from Register.com, a leading Web services and domain registration company, is available to talk about how to maximize your company’s web presence – everything from launching a site, to search optimization, e-commerce, e-mail, marketing and more to turn a small business into a credible resource for consumers. https://videos.whiteblox.com/gnb/secure/player.aspx?sid=47129