internet & E-Business

Taking Your E-Business Global

By John Gartner

Global Business

Is a single domain name sufficient for your Web presence, or should local websites be set up for each locale in which you do business?

Consumers in the United States looking to find your company online reflexively assume that your domain name -- or Web address -- will consist of your company name plus "dot-com." But that's not necessarily true in other countries.

Bing, Twitter, and the New Search Landscape
Just when you figured out search engine optimization, the Internet search scene is shifting. Microsoft introduced Bing, a tool for live Web searches. Twitter and others offer real-time search. Should you switch search strategies?
Using Twitter to Find Customers
Most businesses think of Twitter as a promotional tool, but it can also be used to find sales leads. Here's how to use Twitter to find potential customers and how to convert those contacts into sales.
Getting the Most from Banking Online
Many small businesses are still using paper checks sent through the mail to settle their accounts. But online banking can save time and effort, and improve cash flow.
Online B2B Marketplaces: Should You Dive In?
Business-to-business marketplaces are proliferating on the Web. Here’s how to tell a site is right for you.
How to Hire an SEO Consultant
Companies that can’t afford a full-time SEO specialist can hire a part-time consultant -- but finding one that’s a good fit takes time and effort.

Link Bait: Giving It Away Online to Get Traffic
Every small business yearns for "link love" -- links from other websites that can bring traffic to your site and raise your company's visibility. One way to get it is to offer "link bait" -- free products or samples, software, or coupons.
Viral Video Helps Market Products
Want to make a big impression with a tiny ad budget? Try creating videos customers will forward to each other. Here are three case studies of small businesses that have used viral video to market their products.
The Basics: How Email Works
A simple guide to how electronic messages are created and sent across the Internet.
Does Google Enable Trademark Infringement?
What small businesses need to know about the legal risks involved with advertising online with search engines.
What is XML?
Extensible mark-up language sounds complicated but it plays a big role in creating websites that communicate with customers and partners alike.