Small Business Tips and Ideas - BizSieve.com

Important Reasons to Guard Your Domain Registration Information

Everyone in the modern-day world understands the serious need for privacy, and website owners are usually well aware of this since they often keep their customers’ information on file. What many don’t realize, however, is that keeping their domain registration information private is important as well. The mailing address, email address and phone numbers of most website owners are available on the WHOIS Internet directory, but there are several benefits to preventing this information from getting on that public domain.

Reduced Spam

As stated, part of the domain registration process includes sharing an email address on the WHOIS directory. Sadly, there are people out there who are sometimes called WHOIS miners that do nothing except go through the database and seek out the contact information of website owners. They can then use this information to flood a company’s email address with spam and unsolicited offers. Private registration services hide a website owner’s email and ensure that this doesn’t happen.

Domain Name Safety

One of the biggest fears with using private domain registration services has always been the possibility of losing access to a domain if the service goes out of business. This was a huge issue with the former company RegisterFly. Luckily, since customers had difficulties accessing their domains when RegisterFly went bankrupt, rules have changed to prevent this from occurring again. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, now requires these private registration services to keep all of their clients’ contact information in an escrow.

More Control

Whether it’s in the business world or on the reality show Survivor: control is everything. Since private domain registration services prevent all of the aforementioned information from being publicly available, it’s the website owner who can pick and choose what to release to the public. If an individual wants their organization’s phone number available but not their address, they can make it happen. Any information that gets out to the public will only do so because the website owner chooses to let it.

Personal Protection

One of the scariest aspects of having a domain registration that isn’t private is the fact that most of the information registered on the WHOIS database can be traced back to an individual person. The Internet makes it easily possible to use an address or a phone number to find contact information on a private citizen who just so happens to own a website. This can be a huge annoyance, and in some cases, it can even be dangerous.

Depending on what type of website a person runs, there’s little doubt that there are those out there who would harass the website owners. Just imagine if private contact information was available from those who ran controversial political or religious websites. The point is that it is much safer to have this information kept private. Even if a person doesn’t run an especially hot-button issue website, it’s probably not a good idea to let an angry customer find personal contact information either.

It’s a sad fact that it can be annoying and even detrimental for a person’s or organization’s information to get out into the public. More and more, people are starting to realize that this holds true for domain registration information as well. Luckily, there are companies whose sole purpose is to keep this information private, and if a website owner decides to work with them, they’ll be on the right side of all of the aforementioned benefits.

About the Author: Researcher Shelby Warden shares this information to help small business owners protect themselves. Business owners who decide to register their own domain for the highest level of protection can find the latest updates on domain registrars here. Domain Raccoon is a well-known database of domain registrars that provides users with unbiased, fact-based information.

Alcohol Addiction on the Job: Is the Company Liable for a DUI?

For both practical and legal reasons, employers cannot control the actions of an employee when the employee is off the clock. Employers may proscribe certain behaviors such as drug usage or speech that reflects poorly on the company, but employers can only react to wrongful conduct after it has occurred. Such is the case with an employee who is charged with driving under the influence. This unexpected development can be unpleasant for both the employer and the employee.

Alcohol Addiction and the Law

While an employer’s first reaction to an employee who is intoxicated at work is usually to terminate the employee, employees have some rights under the law. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers may not discriminate against employees with certain disabilities if the employee can perform his or her essential job functions with reasonable accommodations made for the disability. If there is a legitimate business purpose to exclude employees with a certain disability, employers may do so; for example, a trucking company looking for drivers may reasonably decline to hire the visually impaired.

The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to a wide array of disabilities, including alcohol addiction. If an alcoholic can perform the essential duties for which he or she was hired without the disability affecting his or her performance, the employer may not make hiring or termination decisions based upon that disability. However, if the disability affects the employee’s work and cannot be reasonably accommodated, the employee may be terminated.

Driving Under the Influence and the Five-Minute Meeting

An employer will almost certainly terminate an employee who is arrested for driving under the influence while on the job. The primary reason for this is liability. Employers are vicariously liable to third parties for the actions of their employees assuming that the employee was acting within the course and scope of his or her employment when he or she committed the tortious act. Intoxicated motorists are a hazard and a lawsuit waiting to happen for the employer.

Additionally, an employee who is convicted for driving under the influence will be unavailable to perform the essential duties of his or her job. While it’s true that, as offered by The Wilson Law Firm, “There are many possible defenses to a drunk driving charge,” in Virginia, persons convicted of driving under the influence face a license suspension for up to one year. If an employee is driving while acting within the course and scope of his or her employment, it is likely that the employee is involved in an occupation in which driving is an essential duty. In such a case, the employee may be released from his or her employment.

Assisting an Employee with a Legal Defense

Mounting a legal defense to a charge of driving under the influence can be expensive for the employee, and most employees should expect no assistance. Very few employers would even consider contributing to the legal defense of an employee charged with driving under the influence while on the job. However, it can happen. If the employee is particularly valuable to the firm and his or her absence from the company would cost the firm significant revenue, an employer may provide assistance to the employee.

If the employer does elect to retain and assist the employee, the employer must proceed carefully. A jury may consider an employer who knowingly allows employees accused of driving under the influence to operate vehicles for him or her to be negligent. If an accident occurs, the employer may be liable for negligence, which can result in an award of punitive damages. Punitive damages can greatly exceed the cost of the injury.

While employers can be liable for injuries to third parties for an employee’s act, the employer will generally owe no duty to the employee to assist him or her if he or she is arrested for driving under the influence. Employers have a strong interest in terminating such employees from employment and the few employers who choose not to will usually reassign the employee to a position in which he or she is not responsible for operating machinery. However, talented and highly trained employees are difficult to come by. Employers with an indispensable employee may consider providing assistance to the employee in the form of legal counsel or funds to pursue an independent legal defense.

Ann Bailey posts this research for employers with workers who are facing a DUI charge, particularly in Virginia. The Wilson Law Firm vigorously represents clients of intoxicated driving charges, aggressively fighting to keep their personal rights intact, within all boundaries of the law.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elvissa/339081965/

Choosing An Accountant For Your Small Business

Hiring a professional accountant for your small business is a smart investment that will pay off in the long run. Their professional expertise will guide you through some of the common financial pitfalls that businesses suffer from. As a result, you’ll have higher profits and more free time to focus on other aspects of your business. It’s important to note, however, that not all accountants are the same. To get the most benefit from their services, you’ll need to choose the one that’s right for you. Keep reading and we’ll reveal a simple method for choosing a small business accountant.

Before you can even think about hiring an accountant, you should identify the specific needs of your business. Some businesses may only require the services of an accountant during tax time, while others may need them for on-going work like payroll, invoices, check cashing, etc. Determine exactly what services you need and then start your search for an accountant.

Credentials

When it comes to your business’s financial documentation, you want a skilled and experienced accountant for the job. Allowing some inexperienced college student to perform your taxes or handle other accounting roles places the livelihood of your business at risk. Even the slightest mistake in your financial statements could result in disastrous consequences.

So, how do you know if an accountant is qualified to handle your small business? Check to see if they are designated Certified Public Accountants (CPA). This requires ongoing training and test taking in the accounting field. You can expect to pay a bit more for an actual CPA, but their experience and knowledge is something that every small business can benefit from. Don’t just take their word for it, but instead ask to see their credentials to ensure they are still registered as a CPA and have met all of the necessary prerequisites.

Experience and Background

In addition to their credentials, you should also perform a basic background check on their past experience and client reviews. Thanks to the expansion and reach of the internet, this has never been easier. Any reputable accountant should have a website with their past experience and education. Check to make sure it’s credible and professional. If there are any discrepancies, you may want to double check to see if they are correct.

Doing a simple Google search of the accountant’s name will likely reveal comments and reviews from past clients. See what people said about the accountant’s services. If the majority of comments are positive, then you know the accountant must be a pretty good choice. On the other hand, a long list of negative comments is a sign of trouble.

These are just a few of the many things you should consider when choosing an accountant for your small business. Take your time to compare the services offered by different accountants both online and in-person until you find the best match for the needs of your business. A services offered by a good accountant is something that’s well worth the investment.

About the Author: Alyssa is a content contributor for MyVAO.com. Alyssa enjoys writing about accounting advice, small business marketing, and much more. She recommends checking out MyVAO for all of your Quickbooks hosting needs.

Empowering Your Small On-Line Jewelry Business

Creating a small on-line jewelry business with the help of using various E-Commerce friendly websites such as EBay or Etsy is now easier than ever. But beginning jewelry makers may find that opening their online store is the easy part and getting noticed and actually selling goods is very difficult, sometimes almost impossible. Many talented your creators simply give up without being aware of the fact that there are several easy to use self promotion techniques that can help them to get their designs and work noticed.

Let’s take a look at how you can empower your on-line jewelry business by using social media and accumulating positive customer ratings.

Getting People to Notice your Work

A lot has been said about the usage of social media to actually get your work noticed and there is no doubt that the potential they present is almost limitless. That being said, if you are not the kind of person that can get hundreds of Facebook friends, promoting your online store to an adoring crowd of five family members will not do the trick. Just like in real life, some people are good at easily making friends and promoting their work socially, while others are shy and will need someone to help them do that.

If you belong to the first type, don’t hesitate to push your new business via Facebook and ask friends and family to share and promote your work. Also, make sure you regularly post and update new work and designs and be active on a daily basis.

If you belong to the second type, you may want to consider hiring the services of a professional to help you. If Google based search engine optimization used to dominate the market in the past, today it is combined, and sometimes even entirely replaced, by social media based promotion. A professional will be able to asses the commercial potential of your new on-line jewelry business and present you with opportunities to promote it for you.

Accumulating Positive Online Reviews

Getting as many positive online reviews as possible will provide you with two positive results – it will be easier for you to sell, as more people will trust you and you will empower your online presence.

Most E-Commerce online shops buyers will hesitate to purchase items from new sellers or sellers that have few positive reviews.

This means that as a new seller you need to go the extra length in order to get customers to make the first hundred or so purchases and transform each and every one of those sales into a positive rating. I always recommend for beginners to start out with really attractive prices and discounts. This will attract buyers to visit and inspect your store page. When you get customer requests for information, be sure that you are lightning quick with your positive and reassuring replies. Once a transaction is completed, no matter how large or small it is, you need to provide flawless service. Try to ship the item the very same day in which it was purchased and update the customer when you do. This is an almost certain way to earn you some positive ratings and pave your way to success.

About the Author: Doron Heifetz is an expert designer, jeweler and the owner of the BPJ Name Necklaces website.

Business On Wheels: Top 3 Mobile Business Ideas

Today one of the fastest growing segments of the business world is the mobile business. They have an excellent history of filling the needs of consumers. There are mobile businesses that do everything from sell ice cream, fast food, provide veterinary care, library books and more. It’s important that when people aren’t able to come to a business, there is a business that will come to them. The need for new mobile businesses is increasing everyday. Here we will discuss in detail the top three mobile businesses.

Starting a Mobile Window Tinting

Today putting tint on windows is something that people have done to their home, office as well as vehicles. It is done to reduce glare and battle the negative effects of direct sunlight. Most people who use a mobile tinting service are willing to pay extra and appreciate a business traveling to them. Once the window tinting products have been purchased and workers are proficient in performing tinting, it’s then important to get customers. Many mobile tinting businesses serve local businesses like car dealerships, repair shops as well as auto detailing businesses and more. It’s important to be listed in business directories and regularly attend trade shows. Maintaining a website with all current contact information and more is also essential.

Starting a Mobile Locksmith Business

A mobile locksmith business provides a person with the opportunity to have a very lucrative income. Because of the nature of being a locksmith, traveling to customers has been part of the locksmith profession for a long time. A mobile locksmith business is designed to enable people to continue with their everyday routines, as their security issues are handled by a qualified professional. A locksmith is able to help people repair lock problems, install and repair keying, manage key control systems and more. They are also able to install simple as well as complicated locking mechanisms. Door locks can be repaired or replaced; electronic security systems can be repaired or installed and more.

One of the most important things for a locksmith is to have all of the proper qualifications. Training and experience are essential when it comes to being a locksmith. Depending on the location, there are a variety of legal requirements a locksmith must meet before being able to do business.

Starting Mobile Car Detailing Business

An auto detailer is an experienced professional who is skilled in cleaning a wide range of makes and models of vehicles. They provide thorough and detailed cleaning at a level most people won’t do themselves. An auto detailer will provide professional cleaning on a vehicle’s interior and exterior. They will provide detailed vacuuming, washing as well as shampooing on the inside. After cleaning the outside it will be waxed, polished and then carefully buffed. They know how to clean various fabrics and other materials. They know the best cleaning products to be used on specific materials for the best results. They can advise their customers on proper cleaning maintenance. There are a few training programs for auto detailers, but most agree it’s best to learn proper techniques from a trained professional.

One of the main things all mobile businesses have in common is the need for a well-maintained vehicle. Regular checks and vehicle maintenance are important aspect of any successful mobile business. As with any company, a mobile business must be registered with all necessary governmental taxing authorities. It’s important for any business to be properly registered and able to collect sales tax before serving customers.

About the Author: Thomas Jay is an avid writer and successful entrepreneur. In his spair time he enjoys working on cars and always recommends GlassClinic.netfor the best prices on mobile auto glass repair and windshield replacement in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, and the surrounding areas.