When you’re creating a website there are a number of decisions to make. In addition to your budget and the creation process, there are features and functions to weight. There are so many fantastic technologies and options that the process can feel overwhelming!

#1 What’s the purpose of your website?

This is perhaps your single most important consideration. When you know your website’s purpose there are some design options that just make sense. For example, if you’re going to be an affiliate marketer and your website’s purpose is strictly to provide information, then you’ll likely want a CMS or a theme-based website. Know your site’s purpose first! Then you can weight your options.

On the other hand, if you’re building an e-commerce site you will want a shopping cart solution and a product catalog full of product photos and descriptions.

#2 What’s your budget?

Believe it or not, you can design a professional-looking website on just about any budget. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to hire a pro. That being said, you may want to hire a professional so the job is done right the first time. A professional can help you integrate all of the design elements and technologies right from the get go.

If you have a low start-up budget, consider having an existing template or design modified by a pro. For example, you can hire a WordPress designer to modify a template to fit your needs and website purpose.

#3 Who is your audience?

Your audience plays a very important role in the design of your website. Not only do you want to make sure your site is easy to navigate, you also want to make sure it appeals to your audience. If they’re cutting edge, then you’ll want a modern look and feel. If your audience is older, then you may want a more mature design.

Does your website niche fit better with video content or print content? How are you going to connect with your prospects, visitors and customers? Your site’s design needs to support your audience and their needs and desires.

#4 Efficiency and logic

While the appearance of a website is important, so too is the user’s experience. Ideally a site will feel intuitive. Everything will be easy to find and apparent. Your visitors won’t have to dig for information and if they are digging it’s because you want them to. This means:

• Logical content categories
• Relevant and easy-to-access pages (for example your about, affiliate, press and FAQ pages)
• Streamlined processes (for example shopping cart, opt-in and download processes)

Before you design your site or have someone design it for you, plan it on paper. Know exactly what your site’s purpose is and create a plan to make it happen. Research other sites in your industry. Research keywords so you know how your prospects search.

Also take a look at the various technologies that can support your site and its purpose. Some website design services offer seamless integration. Keep your visitors’ experience at the heart of every decision and you won’t go wrong.

Technorati Tags: Shopping cart, Web design, Web Design and Development, Website, WordPress

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Do you enjoy writing? If so you may want to consider making money online writing for others. You may choose to market your own articles via a content site, you may choose to search for individual clients via discussion forums, twitter and other websites.

Whichever approach you take, be sure your articles are well-written, and that you’ve researched your topic well enough to know what you’re writing about. Write in casual language so your writing doesn’t sound stiff and too formal.  Be sure your writing makes sense and offers valuable information for your clients.

Be dependable and always follow-through. If you promise an article by 5:00 Friday, have it to the client. If a real emergency comes up (no, hanging out with your friends at the mall doesn’t constitute an emergency, even if it feels that way), let your client know ASAP.  A quick email to your client with an explanation will keep you in good favor with your client.  If you just don’t deliver your article on time and then try to explain, you will lose credibility.

There will be times when you may not be able to meet a deadline, but they should be few and far between and you should communicate well with your client so they understand what’s happening at all times.  Building a reputation for dependability is one of the best things you can do to kick-start your online writing career.

The easiest way to get a few “clips” (samples of your writing) under your belt, is to write a few guest posts for a blog you read often. That way, you know what the readers like, and you know the blog topic well. That will make it easier to provide quality content for the blog owner. Comment frequently on the blog so the blog owner gets to know you.

Then, approach the blog owner and let her/him know you’re interested in writing a guest post (for free) and discuss the topic.  Be sure to agree on a specific topic, something you know about within the subject matter of the blog.  Agree on the length of the post, the exact topic, and how long your resource box should be (short bio at the end that includes information about you, the writer). Also be sure that your resource contains a live link to your email or to your own blog.

When you’re doing guest posts, don’t do too many of them. You don’t want to take up all your time writing for nothing. But do a few, maybe 8-10, so you can provide potential clients with some good links to check out your work.  What you are doing with guest blogging is providing website owners a glimpse at your writing.

Always search for “do follow” blogs – those that make the link to your post visible to the search engines. You can do this by Googling “do-follow blogs.” You’ll find several to choose from.

Start your own blog and post several times a week. That’s another great way to get your writing noticed and gain some followers. Include in your bio that you are a writer who is very much available for hire.

Promote yourself through Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites. But don’t be overly aggressive with your posting. One post a day letting others know you’re available for freelance writing  should suffice.

You can sign up with sites like Freelance or Elance, but the competition is stiff. You might get a few jobs, but the pay is typically very low and seldom worth the effort.

Realize that writing is a craft and it can be learned just like anything else. Read all you can about writing well and about blogging, and become an expert at both. Don’t let being young hinder you… you can be a young, professional writer and make real money writing articles and blog posts for pay!

Technorati Tags: articles, blog post, business ideas, creativity, ghost writer, teen entrepreneur, writer

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If you have performed in your school theater, choir, band, or talent shows, you may be a natural born entertainer.  You may enjoy singing, dancing, playing an instrument, or some other fun activity that people enjoy watching. If this is the case, then you’ll enjoy becoming an entertainer for parties and events.

Entertainers have a great value to any party and can earn some good money. If you’ve been active in local community or school talent shows and the theater, then you already have the ability and the platform to sell your talents. Prepare professional business cards to hand out at the talent shows you are active in. People will be thrilled to be able to book a real honest to goodness entertainer who they have seen perform at an event.  You already have an audience, so why not turn them into clients?

You’re in show business, so use your talent to create a business card that is clever and unique. You’ll want to include the obvious; what talent you perform along with your contact information.  You don’t want to put your prices on your business card as this practice is considered unprofessional. Even though you’re in “show business” your professional side should be what the client sees off the stage.

If you aren’t sure what to charge as an entertainer for parties and events, do some simple investigating.  Call people who are entertaining at parties and find out what they charge for various entertainment. Be open and honest and tell the person you called that you’re looking to get into the entertainment business in your local area and wondering what the basic fees are. Keep your fees competitive and reasonable, even offering a slight discount for first bookings. Most entertainers will be happy to welcome you to their world, mostly because they’re overbooked and can use the help!  They will be delighted to give you suggestions and ideas to get your new business up and running.

If possible, participate in every talent show you can in order to get your name out there. You definitely also want to volunteer  your talents at fundraising events, retirement homes, children’s hospitals, and the like. This type of exposure is invaluable as a means to get your name out in the public in a very positive way.  Plus, it just feels right to share your talent!

Make cute and creative flyer’s to showcase your talent, your business, and your contact information. If you’re posting single flyers on bulletin boards around town, be sure to use tear off strips at the bottom with your name, number and talent so that people can take that with them and leave the flyer up for others. Replenish your flyer’s as needed to keep a steady flow of clients ringing your bell.

Advertising in the local paper is another great way to spread the word of your new business. Be creative!  There are many ways to advertise.  Don’t get stuck thinking that a classified ad is the only way to go.  Don’t forget your own school paper and those other marketing areas such as menus and sports programs.

When you’re not performing at the parties, you’ll have a chance to mingle with the guests.  Not only is it fun, but you’ll have another opportunity to sell your talent for another party. What a great way to mix business with pleasure.

You may have a group of friends who are similarly talented.  Why not work together?  Re-work your prices accordingly and plan your act together. It may be more fun to work as a team.  Then, the team can do a little mingling and possibly gain even more bookings for events.

Remember, people go to parties and events to enjoy themselves and have a good time. You can make the parties and events more enjoyable with your talents so be sure to share them and have a great time.

Technorati Tags: business ideas, creativity, Entertainer, Entertainment, teen entrepreneur

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Should Homeschooling Teens Start an Online Business?

More and more homeschooling parents are finding that it can be expensive having a college student.  We have taught our teens to be independent thinkers and should encourage them to find creative ways to help cover the expenses.

One great alternative that beats flipping burgers is to start an online business.  They have the advantage.  Today’s teens have grown up in a technology world.  They spend so much of their time online, why not turn that time into money that will help pay for their college?

I know some teens as young as 13 who have successfully started their own business and have a comfortable income before they graduate.  Some of these teens may never get a “real” job.  Instead of “job hunting” when they get out of college they will be looking for the next opportunity or investment.

Let’s face it.  In today’s world, job loyalty is not rewarded.  There is no such thing as “job security”.  Why should we be teaching our homeschooling teens to follow the old “American Dream”?

There are many benefits for homeschooling parent to teach their teens how to becoming an entrepreneur:

• It is expensive to pursue an education- a full time class schedule AND a full time job is hard to balance.
• Students will have more time to study and excel in their classes.
• After the initial time investment, there is very little time involved in working online.
• Earning residual income can give students the ability to choose their own hours and work only when they want to work.

Young people are incredibly computer-savvy.

They know how to network, how to create blogs and create a viral atmosphere; all things that can be very useful for an online business.

It is a productive way to put these skills to use.

They can incorporate all areas of their school curriculum as they build their business: Math, Writing, Speech, Presentation, Design, Advertising, Social Media, etc…

The opportunities are vast and far reaching.  And by building a business that will work for them even when they are not.  They will be able to head off to college with a steady income.

Even if they never become vastly successful another great benefit is how they will develop skills for the “Real World”.  They will learn many skills that can help land them a great job and will graduate with hands on experience.  They will add real value to the company for which they work.  Education plays an important role, but experience is vital.

By starting an online business what kind of experience can homeschooling teens develop?

They will need to learn a great deal about online marketing. Online marketing is something that just about every business is pursuing.  Running a successful online business will add tremendous credibility to a resume or transcript.

Networking is another crucial skill that has applications in just about every career. Working online can help teens really develop some professional networking skills.

Writing also plays a part in an online business: this includes articles, web pages, and ad copy.  An online business will allow a student to enhance their writing skills in a way that will benefit them no matter what they decide to pursue after graduation, whether it be college or their own independent education.

And the feedback comes from the real world. An online business for homeschooling teens can open up all sorts of new doors.

NO college course will give you the hands on experience that building a real online business will. And since the incomes can be rather high and the initial output minimal, our creative, independent thinking homeschooling teen entrepreneurs can raise their own capital to get the business off the ground.

So what is a good opportunity for a young person?

There are many great business ideas for teens, but the best is to find what you are passionate about and find your niche there.  This is a great way to keep young people interested and involved. They will never lose their interest or get board because they were the ones who chose the concept of the site.

I have seen profitable sites on just about every topic: from sports, to dating, to travel, and a wide variety of other hobbies that have been successfully turned into profitable net-businesses.

For more information about how to become an entrepreneur and start a fun and exciting online web-business join Teen Biz Talk. And remember, you are never too young to start a business, and it can be a great way to further prepare yourself for a lifetime of success and financial freedom.

Technorati Tags: blog, Business, Education, Entrepreneur, Internet marketing, online business, Student

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When teens decide that they want to have their very own business there are many things that need to be discussed. Parents or adult guardians need to be fully involved in this entire process from the origin of the idea to the time it is put into action. This is the way to keep things in order and not let them get out of hand in any fashion.

Depending on what sort of business venture that is being entered into, there may be a need for adult permission to even have this business. That is a huge reason to have an adult involved in your business, if you are a teenager. The support and encouragement can provide a heavy boost in letting you know that you have someone believing in you and your efforts.

You have to think about the fact that there needs to be someone you can talk everything out with when you have an idea for a business. Whether you want to admit it or not, there is a chance you will become so excited and wrapped up in your plan that you will not see anything that may be an obstacle to the success of the venture. That’s when an experienced person can become your greatest listener and asset.

Mentors are also a great idea. These do not have to be your parents or even anyone who is related to you. The person you choose as a mentor is someone who has done what you are trying to do and has been successful at it. This is the person who will be able to guide you along in a helpful way as well as answer your questions and assist you when you experience any problems.

Whatever else you do as a teen business owner/operator, don’t push away the adults in your life who care about you and want nothing more than to see you make a success of your business plan or idea. Instead, embrace this assistance and let it work for you.

Technorati Tags: Business, business ideas, Christian Business Owner, Small business, Start Up, Start Your Own Business, teen business owner, teen entrepreneur

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A question that many parents have every year is just what should they do with their kids during the summer? Granted, this is the time of year when most people plan and make vacation trips but you can’t be vacationing ALL summer. Eventually you are going to have to return home and that’s when the dilemma begins.

If you start researching well before summer arrives, you may be able to find just the right summer camp for your teen to attend. These are available in many different time frames as well as different lengths of time. There are many that run from one to two weeks and others that are a month or two. It really just depends on what you and your teen prefer as well as what your budget is.

As for the types of camps offered, there seems to be one for just about everything that your teen could possibly be interested in. If you have a teen who loves computers, there are summer camps to help further that interest and training. For the musically inclined teen, there are band camps. There are also summer camps for different types of sports, such as tennis, football, baseball, volleyball, and more.

What you will need to do is sit down with your teen well ahead of time and find just which type of summer camp he or she would be more interested in attending. Then you will work from there as to how long he or she would like to attend and how much you can afford to pay for a summer camp. Settle on more than one choice in case the first choice is full and no longer accepting kids.

Your next step is to make some telephone calls and find out what options are still open to your teen. Once you have obtained all the information you need by telephone, have the summer camp you have decided upon send you all the registration information you will need. The sooner you get everything completed and turned in, the sooner you and your teen can relax about having gotten into the best one.

Technorati Tags: business ideas, creativity, finding your passion, Summer camp

I really wanted to launch my membership site with the learning center and the forum on the first of this month.  But things did not go according to my plan.  I have the forum ready.  It still needs a few modifications, but it is fully functioning.  The resource center is not ready yet.  If you are interested in getting started right way, here is a coupon for 50% off.

Coupon Code: D814AD5B79

I will have the forum complete  by the end of this week and the learning center will be built as we go.  It will have resources added over the next few weeks, but it will be a constantly growing resource for our families and teens.

You can sign up for the resource here: Join Teen Biz Talk

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With the advent of spring and warmer weather, if you are a teenager who enjoys getting outside and creating beautiful things from nature and the earth, this is the perfect time to begin a landscaping business. This is as simple as beginning a lawn care service. Grass grows fast this time of year and people are too busy to get out and mow the lawn. That’s where you come in.

Print up some flyers and a business cards right from your home computer. Leave them around town in places such as the post office, grocery store, and garden supply store. Have your lawnmower and other lawn tools in perfect repair so when the calls start coming in, you’ll be ready to go. It also is helpful to personally visit some homes that have a yard in need of beautifying.

Add a website to your other arsenal of tools. Many times people will check the Internet when looking for someone to take care of their lawn for them. A website makes you look much more professional to a lot of people. Leave your contact information there along with the different lawn care services you will perform. You want prospective customers to call you for your prices. It’s usually good to negotiate on that if possible.

When you start to gain customers, you will most likely want to bring in some one to help you or you may find that you have too much work on your hands. Regular clients can be great because that is income you can count on as well as know what days you will need to perform their lawn maintenance. Be sure to always keep enough help so that you don’t have to turn down any work.

This is a business that can lead into a full fledged career in doing something that you love as well building a profitable income.

Technorati Tags: business ideas, Entrepreneur, Home and Garden, landscaping, Lawn, lawn care, Start Up, Start Your Own Business, teen business owner, teen entrepreneur

Learning to manage money is a skill that everyone should have, from teenagers to adults. However, this is one of the more important things that teenagers need to grasp quite early when they are trying to start, and run, their own businesses.  Poor money management has sunk many a promising ship, and it’s something that you definitely don’t want to happen to you.

Before deciding to jump in head first with a business idea, look at all the costs involved. The start up costs should be weighed carefully against the amount of money that’s available to you initially. Never try to live above your means, especially in the beginning. If you commit to a business that requires more money to start than you have access to, you’re finished before you ever begin. This is your first lesson in acquiring money management skills.

Some of you may have built-in natural skills when it comes to handling money. If this is true, you are, indeed, blessed. Your business ideas have an excellent chance of succeeding as you’ll be quite careful and meticulous regarding the tracking of expenses versus income. However, if you tend to have issues with saving money, or controlling impulse spending, you’re going to need some guidance.

Bookkeeping classes can help you learn more about keeping accurate records. For some people, just seeing it in black and white (or red, as the case may be), can help awareness of just where any money errors occur. Besides, if you know how to do your own bookkeeping, that’s another expense that you don’t have to pay out with regard to your business. Accountants and bookkeepers don’t come cheap.

If self-control is an issue for you, do whatever you need to do in order to stop impulsive spending.  When you’re faced with a situation where you see something you simply MUST have, take a couple of moments to ask yourself WHY you need it right this minute? Is it vital to your existence? Most important of all, do you actually have the money to spare? By the time you get through this series of questions, you should have reached the correct answer.

By employing some methods to learn money management skills, you stand a much better chance of building a successful business.

Technorati Tags: Bookkeeping, Money, Money management, Small business, Start Up, Start Your Own Business, teen business owner, teen entrepreneur

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Something that is important to learn for teen entrepreneurs is the way to organize and conduct day to day business tasks. This is a vital skill that needs to be mastered prior to the beginning of a business of any type. The good news is that teens all over the world are finding ways to do just that while also providing needed items to other teens in poverty stricken areas of the world.

There are many ideas for ways to do this. One such idea thought up by teens was to fill backpacks with an assortment of school supplies and send them to teens all over who have no way to afford their own supplies. This is totally non profit and is done through donations and volunteers.

Another idea that was started several years ago that took off and is still done today is the Shoebox Project. These shoe boxes are filled with things for children and teens such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, combs, small brushes, and any other small useable items that will fit in those boxes. The shoeboxes themselves are usually decorated and then shipped out to children and teens in needy countries.

If you can come up with a non-profit idea to help other teens, it will then be up to you to organize the people who will be donating items as well as volunteers to help you put everything together. This is excellent practice in beginning a business as well as organizing things so that it all works. It not only helps you learn but it doesn’t cost you anything except your time and effort to get things off the ground.

When you think about it, this is a win-win situation. You’re gaining some valuable experience at no cost and helping out someone possibly across the world who may be your own age. What could be more helpful than that?

Technorati Tags: business ideas, Christian, Christian Business Owner, Dedication, leadership, organization, organize, responsibity, teen business owner, teen entrepreneur, volunteer organizations, Volunteering