Allowing Chat Capabilities During Online Conferencing
By business4moms | August 8, 2008
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Adding the versatility of the Internet to a conference call has many advantages. You can take advantage of audio and video capabilities, or illustrate points with pages from your own or other websites. You can also offer participants the opportunity to communicate through online chat.
Many teleconference organizers, however, choose not to offer chat capabilities during their calls. This is because it presents some potential problems. Here we will examine the pros and cons of facilitating chat during an online conference call.
Arguments for Offering Chat
Conference calls are designed to bring people together to discuss things. One potential drawback is that too many people talking at one time can result in nobody being heard. Most conference call providers allow the call’s originator to mute the audience during presentations so that presenters can be heard clearly. Offering chat will allow listeners to ask questions as they come to mind without interrupting the speaker.
Chat can also allow the audience to communicate with one another. Listeners may have experiences or thoughts they can share that add to what is being discussed, and chat provides a way for them to share them without being disruptive.
Another good thing about chat is that users can give feedback to the speaker. If she isn’t speaking loudly enough, for example, a listener can let her know that it is hard for him to hear what she is saying. Listeners can also advise about any technical problems that occur.
Arguments Against Offering Chat
Critics of using chat during online conference calls often say that it’s distracting. Listeners may get so caught up in chatting that they miss what is going on during the call. And that can be detrimental to your call’s success.
Another problem with chat is the need for moderation. Someone needs to monitor the chat to watch for users who are being rude or using profane language. There is also the possibility of a spammer logging in and promoting his own agenda. These types will need to be warned or removed, but by the time that happens they could have already derailed the discussion and lowered other participants’ morale.
Some also argue that offering chat during a conference call is too expensive. This is, however, not necessarily true. Online conferencing software often includes a chat program. Those who do not have full-featured conferencing software can purchase chat software on its own for a reasonable price, and it can also be used for other purposes in the future.
Whether or not to offer chat capabilities during your conference is a matter of preference. It has advantages and disadvantages, but if properly moderated the opportunity for users to chat is usually an asset. It makes your conference more interactive while minimizing audible distractions.
Topics: Advanced Topics, Online Conferencing | No Comments »
Seven Tips to Help Make Your Online Conference a Success
By business4moms | August 8, 2008
Online conferences are a great way to promote your services, products, or business opportunity. They allow you to hold presentations and interact with your prospects without leaving your home or office, and they can participate from wherever they may be as well. Online conferences are convenient for everyone involved.
Online conferencing eliminates the need for travel and all that it entails, but careful planning is still required. Here are seven things you can do to ensure that your online conference is all that you want it to be.
1. Make the time and date of your conference as convenient as possible. Try to avoid having a conference when most people will be working, as this will almost certainly adversely affect attendance. Also, try not to have it too early in the morning or too late in the evening. This can be rather difficult if you are expecting participants from many different time zones, but do the best you can.
2. Try out your online conferencing software before the conference. It is important to be familiar with how to operate everything ahead of time. If you haven’t used your software before, try it out a few times with friends or family before you have a big conference.
3. Hire a moderator. The moderator’s job is to introduce speakers, assist participants, and deal with some technical issues. He can keep everything behind the scenes going smoothly, taking that burden off of your shoulders so that you can concentrate on getting your message out.
4. Make hard copies of scripts and notes. It may be tempting to keep everything on the computer, but what if you have technical difficulties and are unable to access the documents you need to keep your conference going? Having a hard copy as a backup can keep the conference going if this should happen.
5. Provide opportunities for participants to interact. Have each one introduce himself as he calls or logs in. Hold a question and answer session. Make a chat room available for discussion and questions. The more you allow your participants to interact, the more interested they will be.
6. Give your online conference participants information they can use. This is essential to your conference’s success. If you discuss something that your target market will find useful, you will be more likely to attract the types of participants you’re looking for.
7. Promote your online conference. Announce it on your website and blog, post information about it on message boards, and spread the word to bloggers and webmasters whose audiences could benefit from it. The more people who know about your conference, the better your turnout will be.
Topics: Advanced Topics, Online Conferencing | No Comments »
Online Conferencing Software
By business4moms | August 8, 2008
Business owners are often intrigued by online conferencing, but they may assume that it is too expensive for them. In reality, it is not nearly as expensive as you might think. There are numerous online conferencing software options available, and many of them are affordable for small businesses.
When considering web conferencing software, it is important to find the program that most closely meets your needs. You can save money while still getting what you need by comparison shopping. Here are some pointers to help you find the best online conferencing deal for your business.
* Consider how often you plan to have online conferences. Do you see yourself having one, a few, or several each month? Hosted solutions in which you pay per use may be best if you are only going to have an occasional conference. If you plan to have conferences often, you may choose to get a monthly subscription or purchase software to install on your own server or hosting account.
* Think about which features you really need in conferencing software. If you do not plan to utilize video in your conferences, there is no need to seek out software that supports it. If you’re not planning on posting audio from your call on your site for download, you won’t need the capability to record. You might be able to save money with an option that only offers the specific features that you need.
* Have more calls with fewer participants accepted on each one. There are programs that offer unlimited usage but have limits on the number of participants on each call. Taking advantage of the unlimited usage may be cheaper than having fewer calls with more participants.
* Use free trials to find the best online conferencing software for your business. Many services offer time-limited free trials. You can give them a try with small or personal conferences to see how you like them. If you try one that doesn’t meet your needs or expectations, you can move on without having paid a dime.
* Consider software that offers voice chat. This will allow for audio without having to pay for a phone line. Your attendees won’t incur long-distance charges, and you won’t have to pay for a toll-free number. Software with voice chat may cost a little more than software without it, but it could save you money in the long run.
Online conferencing is much more affordable than getting people together in person. The required software is probably going to be your biggest cost, but it doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank. Shopping around can help you find a program that has everything you need for a price that fits your budget.
Topics: Online Conferencing | No Comments »
5 Reasons to Conduct an Online Conference
By business4moms | August 8, 2008
Even if you enjoy going to new places, traveling can be tiresome. Security concerns have made getting through the airport a hassle, and airfare rates are nothing to sneeze at. These are some of the reasons why online conferencing has become a much more attractive option.
Online conferencing is simply a meeting conducted over the Internet. In its most basic form, it can be done with little more than a chat room or instant messaging software. But for maximum functionality, you can purchase online conferencing software and use audio, either online or over the phone. You can also use video if you like.
Here are some reasons to give online conferencing a try:
1. Online conferencing gives you the potential for a better turnout. Due to travel difficulties and schedule conflicts that can arise with face-to-face meetings, holding your conference online can allow more people to come. Online conferencing also saves participants money and keeps them from having to leave their families behind for several days at a time to attend.
2. Online conferencing is less expensive and more convenient for you. Holding a conference at a physical location is no small undertaking. You have to secure a location, purchase decorations and refreshments, and print out materials for the attendees. Even a small face-to-face meeting requires a certain amount of scheduling and expense. Having your conference online is more economical and less stressful.
3. Having an online conference provides a great deal of flexibility. You can collaborate on projects, make presentations with streaming video, and have discussions via the phone or chat. Questions may be asked by phone, email or instant message, or even by video.
4. With online conferencing, everyone gets a front row seat. Participants are responsible for making their own accommodations. If they need to turn up the volume to hear you or adjust their screen resolution to see things better, they can do it. They don’t have to worry about getting stuck sitting behind someone who is a foot taller than them and not being able to see what’s going on.
5. You can easily make your conference available on demand. Most online conferencing providers offer the option to record your conference and make it available by download or streaming audio or video on your website. This way those who were unable to attend can see what they missed. You might also choose to make transcripts available for those who prefer them.
Online conferences have not replaced face-to-face meetings, but they have lots of advantages over them. They are convenient and inexpensive for everyone involved, and they often result in better turnouts. Online conferences are great for seminars, project collaboration, and much more.
Topics: Advanced Topics, Online Conferencing | No Comments »
5 Reasons to Offer Discount Codes for your Website
By business4moms | August 8, 2008
Discount codes give cost savings to customers while providing valuable data and inventory control to the seller. Here are five reasons that creating discount codes can benefit your business:
• Bring in new customers. When a consumer is ready to buy and knows of multiple sources for the product, price is often the deciding factor. Consumers are attracted to a good deal. Offering a discount code to new customers provides an additional reason to shop at your particular website over all other options.
• Encourage repeat business. Satisfied customers will be more likely to shop again when they are reminded to do so, and given a compelling reason to return. A special discount code can be sent via email at specific intervals as a thank-you for past purchases and to encourage repeat business.
• Increase order size. Time-limited offers create a sense of urgency and give customers a reason to buy more than they originally intended. Discount codes can be offered for a percentage off the purchase price of a second item, for example, or for free shipping on orders totaling a specific amount.
• Tracking. Gathering data on customer trends is imperative for every retailer. Issuing separate discount codes for different mailings, website promotions and affiliate partners, for instance, provides important information on where customers come from and which marketing campaigns are most effective. This data can then be used to make decisions about future marketing programs.
• Control inventory flow. Physical stores manage inventory flow by marking down items they want to move. Online storefronts can use discount codes for the same purpose. The discount can be offered across the board, or used to bring in new customers with an interest in that particular product category, or sent to previous customers who bought similar products.
There are several ways discount codes can be applied. Retailers generally offer a set dollar amount off the normal price of a product, a percentage off the price of a single item, a discount on the order total, or free shipping on orders that exceed a minimum dollar amount.
Discount offers can be extended through a number of vehicles. They can be posted on the landing page of the storefront. They can be emailed to select past or potential customers. They can be introduced on the order summary page to encourage the customer to add items to the shopping cart. Or they can be listed at sites such as currentcodes.com or dealhunting.com.
Many retailers determine the effectiveness of their marketing strategies by tracking the use of discount codes. The information can help businesses achieve the highest possible ROI and sales at the best available rates.
Topics: Advanced Topics, E-Commerce | No Comments »
7 Tips for Designing a Customer-Friendly Shopping Cart
By business4moms | August 7, 2008
The popularity of online shopping is largely due to the convenience it provides customers. All other things being equal, offering a customer-friendly shopping cart gives the etailer a better chance of gaining and keeping a consumer’s business. Here are seven tips toward that end:
- Tip One: Make It Easy to Use
Shoppers want to view information, add products to the cart, review selections, make changes, and pay simply by clicking buttons. The “add to cart” button should be prominently displayed. Navigating between product pages and the cart should be easy. Modifying the cart should be simple. Conversion is more likely when the cart is easy to use.
- Tip Two: Make It Interactive
What colors and sizes are available? Is it in stock? How much money will they save if they buy in quantity? What will shipping cost? Building interactive features into the shopping cart allows consumers to explore options and be assured they are getting exactly what they want.
- Tip Three: Give It Time
Making the customer’s cart savable lets him build his order over time. For example, eBay’s half.com site lets customers save selections to a wish list. They can return later to purchase selected items. If a sale is not completed in a given period of time, the shopper receives an email reminding them to update their wish list.
- Tip Four: Automatically Calculate Totals
Keeping the consumer informed of total costs will build his or her confidence in shopping through the website. The shopping cart should show the product total, tax, and shipping costs. Many sites show a summary page as the final step before the consumer completes the transaction.
- Tip Five: Allow Multiple Payment Options
Accepting payment through a number of methods will increase the likelihood that the transaction will be completed. Some customers prefer using credit cards. Some use PayPal. Still others use echecks. Providing a variety of payment options makes purchasing possible for a wider range of customers.
- Tip Six: Keep It Secure
Consider becoming a member of a third-party privacy seal program, which verifies the credibility of ecommerce sites. Ensure encryption of personal data. Display the website’s privacy policy. Assuring consumers of the site’s trustworthiness eliminates concerns and encourages a mutually beneficial business relationship.
- Tip Seven: Confirm the Purchase
An automated email confirmation following the sale assures the customer that his or her order is in progress. As added assurance, many etailers find it a good practice to include contact instructions so the consumer can keep tabs on the status of the order, make inquiries, and track shipping.
Consumers look for ease of use, efficiency, and security when purchasing online. A well-designed shopping cart can meet these needs and increase conversion rate and revenue for etailers in a highly competitive market.
Topics: E-Commerce | No Comments »
Do I Need to Accept Credit Cards?
By business4moms | August 7, 2008
For online business owners today, offering the options customers want is a vital aspect of winning the sale. Multiple payment methods give consumers a choice, but credit card payments are far and away the most popular. Credit cards are convenient for consumers to use and sites that accept them show higher revenues from impulse purchases and other add-ons.
There are two ways that ecommerce sites can arrange to accept credit card payments. One is by establishing a merchant account through the business owner’s own bank. Another is to use a third-party service to process the payments.
Bank Merchant Accounts – Most banks offer merchant accounts and processing gateways to their account holders. Funds from credit card purchases, less the agreed-upon fees, are deposited into the merchant account, then moved to the owner’s business or personal account on a regular basis (usually within 24 hours). The primary disadvantage is that approval for merchant accounts is more difficult to obtain for internet businesses than for standard retail businesses. Every bank has its own qualification guidelines and fee schedules.
Third-party services such as PayPal eliminate the need for a merchant account. They offer real-time processing of payments and transfer of funds to the business owner’s account for a fee, usually a small flat rate plus a percentage of the sale total per transaction.
Other features available might include a shopping cart that the business owner can install on the website, conversion from U.S. dollars to foreign currency, the ability to accept multiple forms of payment (such as electronic debits or echecks), customer service, and set-up assistance.
PayPal offers three account types, two of which can be used by merchants to accept credit card payments: the Premier Account and the Business Account. An individual can open a Premier Account, but a Business Account can only be opened by a registered business. A 2.9 percent fee is charged for receiving a payment, but as the dollar volume increases, the rate drops. Premier and Merchant Account holders can incorporate special html code into their website to create a “Buy Now” button. With one click, the customer is taken to a payment page to complete the transaction.
PayPal also provides a shopping cart to merchants. This software lets the consumer select multiple items for purchase, then proceed to the payment page to pay for all selections at once.
The cost for setting up a merchant account, processing gateway, and shopping cart can range from $500 to $1,500, more so if the etailer chooses to hire a web master to consult on or install the system.
For the start-up or small business owner, third-party services such as PayPal may provide a more accessible, affordable alternative to traditional banking options.
Topics: Customer Service, E-Commerce | No Comments »
Moderators and Online Conferencing
By business4moms | August 7, 2008
Although online conferences are somewhat easier to plan than live, in-person events, they do require some thought and careful organization in order to go smoothly. There are technical aspects to think about, registration to be taken care of, and presenters to prepare for their presentations. And there is one more thing that is worth considering: should you have a moderator?
What Is a Moderator?
If you have participated in an online conference or conference call, you have probably seen or heard a moderator even if you didn’t realize it at the time. The moderator is the person who introduces the speakers, but that is only a small portion of his duties. A moderator’s function is to keep everything going smoothly.
The moderator may help with technical checks before the conference starts, making sure everyone is logged in and there are no audio or video problems. He can make sure that everyone has the notes they need and there is no undesirable background noise. He may also greet participants as they call or log in and tell them anything they need to know.
Once the conference has begun, the moderator does an introduction and then hands the reins over to the first speaker. If there are other speakers, he will usually introduce them as well. And once the speakers are finished, the moderator can maintain order during a question and answer session.
Do I Need a Moderator for a Small Conference?
It is up to the conference holder to determine whether a moderator should be used or not, but with large conferences with multiple speakers it is almost a necessity. Smaller conferences may or may not really need a moderator, but they can certainly benefit from having one. The moderator can smooth transitions between segments of the conference and assist participants with any technical difficulties they may have during the presentations.
If there is just one speaker, even at a small conference, having a moderator is probably a good idea. The speaker won’t be able to attend to technical issues while speaking. If you have two or more speakers and are not expecting a large audience, however, a moderator might not be necessary. If both speakers can handle technical issues and one would like to take on the question and answer session, they may do fine on their own.
In most cases, a moderator is essential to keeping your conference on track and free of problems and distractions. If you don’t have someone in your company who can serve as a moderator, you can hire someone you know or post an ad online. While it is possible to have a conference without a moderator, having one gives you the peace of mind of knowing that things will likely go much more smoothly.
Topics: Online Conferencing | No Comments »
Getting Your Participants to Interact
By business4moms | August 5, 2008
One of the most important aspects of a conference call is interaction. It’s probably one of the reasons that you opted for a conference call instead of just recording an audio presentation to distribute. Yet it can be somewhat difficult to get your callers to participate in discussions.
It will take some effort on your part to get the conversation ball rolling. Here are some tips to help you break the ice and get your callers in on the discussion.
* Ask callers to introduce themselves as they call in. Don’t just ask them for their names, though. Ask them open-ended questions about things such as their professions or what brought them to the call. This will help break the ice and let them know that their input is valued.
* If your audience consists of business owners, allow them to include a quick plug for their businesses in their introductions. Most will jump at the chance to promote their products or services, and this will set the stage for more interaction throughout the call.
* Interact with the other speakers. Doing so will make your callers feel more comfortable expressing themselves when the time comes.
* Consider offering online chat during the call. Some prefer not to offer chat because they feel that it is distracting, but if properly moderated it can be an asset to your conference call. It allows users to ask questions as they come to mind without interrupting the speaker, and it promotes discussion among callers.
* Hold an oral question and answer session. This is a good thing to do even if you are taking questions via chat or instant message. Some people prefer to ask questions out loud instead of typing them. Hearing other callers asking questions will also encourage those who may otherwise be too shy to ask their own questions.
* Ask questions of the audience. Encourage them to share experiences that are relevant to the discussion, or ask their opinion of something. Chat comes in handy if you want to ask your callers questions, because it eliminates worries about interrupting others.
* Have a poll. Online conferencing software may allow this, or you can find inexpensive programs online that will allow you to create polls. Results will update in real time, allowing you to analyze and discuss them during the call.
Audience interaction is an important component of a conference call. It keeps your listener’s attention and makes them more likely to participate again.
Topics: Online Conferencing | No Comments »
Finding A Merchant Account
By business4moms | August 5, 2008
Choosing the right merchant account provider is one of the most important choices business owners face when considering e-commerce options. It is not a decision to be taken lightly.
The wrong decision could result in a loss of profits and a lengthy contract that must be honored, even after a second account provider has been chosen as a replacement. Unfortunately, there are many business owners who find themselves paying for two services, because of this very reason.
There are several helpful tips to take into consideration when researching merchant account providers. These tips are dependent on the size and type of business that is interested in providing e-commerce availability to their customers.
Small business owners, who are working with limited funds, may want to initially consider the use of an online provider such as PayPal or 2checkout to process their credit card payments.
Because of the fees associated with a more formal merchant account provider, many small business owners who process up to $1000 per month in credit card payments find that these third party payment processors work out quite well.
Business owners who process more than $1000 per month in credit card payments, may want to consider other vendors. When doing so, one of the most important things to look into is each vendor’s discount rate and per transaction fee schedule.
The discount rate refers to the actual percentage of the sale that the merchant account provider will keep. There is normally a separate rate for ‘swiped’ and ‘non-swiped’ transactions. These fees vary from vendor to vendor.
There is also a fee charged for every processed transaction. Again, these fees vary but can be anywhere from 10 cents to 99 cents per sale.
Business owners who process smaller credit card payments of under $25, might want to consider choosing a vendor offering a higher discount rate and lower per transaction fee, as this will probably be a money saver.
Other things to consider when looking for the right merchant account provider include: monthly statement fees, gateway fees, annual membership fees, equipment rental fees, batch fees, cancellation fees and contract length.
Merchant account services have come a long way over the past few years. Business owners will find that many of these vendors offer lower fees, short-term or even no contract options, and customizable account features.
In conclusion, the large number of e-commerce service providers is actually a good thing. Vendors must stay competitive, in an effort to attract new clients. This competition often results in lower fees and better overall service.
By taking the time to thoroughly research several merchant account providers, it is typically easier to make a final decision on the right one to utilize. Comparing the pros and cons of each vendor is a good way to begin this research.
Topics: Advanced Topics, E-Commerce | No Comments »
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