Small business owners are always looking for ways to cut back on expenses and improve customer service. Use these websites to do both!
Self-employed and small business owners can get very creative with their daily office expenses. Some websites offer complimentary accounts with services that can improve the day-to-day operations for a small business owner. This adds up to financial savings, can decrease the owner’s time spent on routine
Remote Computer Access
LogMeIn.com offers a basic account free of charge with no strings attached. This company provides remote access to a desktop computer via an internet connection. Benefits of using this service:
- Allows access to files and programs will traveling
- Gives the flexibility for an employee or the owner to work from home without transferring files
- Email access allows the owner to send or receive email through the company email account from any computer
- Stream a presentation or files from hundreds of miles away from the computer at the office
Videoconferencing and Free Phone Calls
Skype.com has changed the way the world stays in touch by voice and video. While hundreds of consumers are employing this free service the small business owner can also benefit from the basic account.
Features include:
- Ability to videoconference with clients from around the world
- Unlimited phone calls over the computer to other Skype users
- Send files through Skype during a video or skype call
Phone Call Forwarding
One of Google’s latest features is Google Voice, an upgraded version from Grand Central. GrandCentral.com is a free service during its beta version and allows anyone to sign up for a custom phone number. This number is then setup to ring any given numbers, simultaneously or in certain sequences. Why use this feature? Never miss another phone call again because cell reception was poor at the home office.
- This service can be used to ring the home phone, office phone and cell phone
- Allows privacy for those self-employed person who would not wish to give out their cell phone or home phone for business calls
- Can be used if a friend or relative is answering calls remotely – handy when the business does not have a receptionist or if an employee is out sick
Online Appointment Scheduling
HourTown.com has a free basic account with enough features that it may be worth the independent professional’s time. This is a good choice for the small business that is entirely or partially service-oriented and requires customers to schedule an appointment.
- Gives existing and potential clients the chance to find a time that works for their schedule without having to play phone or email tag.
- Potentially a great time-saver so the self-employed person can spend more time on product or service and less time answering the phones and checking email.
Mobile Tags
Small business owners can reach mobile technology users with Microsoft’s new image tag. Microsoft.com/tag is a free service that allows a custom tag to be created to direct mobile users to:
- Open web content on their phone – such as a mobile-friendly webpage
- Download vCard information – to instantly add to their phone’s address book
- Send or Receive a text message – to give or receive information
- Dial a phone number – call a specific number for more information
The custom image can be placed on a business card, poster, or website. A user will take an picture of this image with his camera phone and be directed instantly to the web content, phone number, vCard or whatever application the image is created for.
Amy Kreydin - Amy Kreydin, NBCRT, CCAP, BD is a Board Certified Reflexologist and Clinical Aromatherapist.
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