The Scare Tacticz

I get an email or phone call from a nervous friend, entrepreneur or small business owner about once a week telling me they’ve received a notice that someone is trying to register their trademark or company name as a domain name. “What should I do about this?” I get asked in a panic.

Anyone who has registered a domain name has probably received one of these notices before.

These notices typically appear in two forms:

The Scare Tactic

Sender: Usually an Asian or European entity, and more recently a entities from Las Vegas and other U.S. cities.
Some of these happen to be domain registrars; others don't appear to be a valid company at all.

Method: Typically by email.

Message: "We have received an application for a domain name which is similar to one you own or is one of your trademarks, so we thought we would let you know so you have the first chance to register it through our company, before the a cybersquatter gets their hands on it".

Purpose: A clever marketing ploy using a scare tactic to fool you into registering domain names.

The transfer notice disguised as invoice from a Domain Registry

Sender: Private companies named “The Domain Registry of…” a certain country.
(Note that the Canadian Internet Registration Authority of CIRA is the official Registry of the .CA domain name.)

Method: Typically by snail mail. The mail looks like an official invoice from an official department of the government.

Message: Renew your domain registration or it will expire in the near future. It's easy, just fill out the term of renewal, your billing information and sign it. The catch is that this deceptive “renewal form” is actually an unsolicited domain name transfer agreement that can result in the transfer of your domain away from your registrar of record to a registrar that engages in deceitful business practices.

Purpose: A practice called "Domain Slamming" that attempts to trick domain name registrants into transferring their domain(s) to a different registrar.

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I'm often asked to speak to small businesses at a variety of technology or entrepreneurship events. A frequently overlooked but important thing that I always mention is to have an effective email strategy.

People are typically surprised when they hear this. After all, how strategic is sending and receiving communication? Below are some do's and don't's for setting up your company email.

1. Don't use Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail or your ISP's email service as your business email.  I cringe every time I see on someone's business card yourcompany@hotmail.com or yourcompany@ISP.net.

Many companies, in particular micro-businesses and small businesses use Gmail, Hotmail or their ISP's email service for business email. This has an unprofessional appearance and gives the impression of a very small or even fly-by-night business. 

2. Do use your domain name for your email. Set up an email likeyourname@yourcompany.com or .ca.

You miss out on a great branding tool by not using your business name for email; in fact, you are actually promoting someone else's brand instead of your own! Why advertise for Google or Hotmail when you can advertise your own company?

3) Do set up multiple email accounts to organize your business, and where desirable, appear larger than you are. For example,info@yourcompany.com, sales@yourcompany.com,president@yourcompany.com, finance@yourcompany.com andsupport@yourcompany.com. All of these emails can be forwarded to the same person (or multiple people) but this gives the impression of sophisticated operation.

4. Do set up multiple email accounts to help determine your HR needs and business bottlenecks. Small businesses usually don't have the resources to implement sophisticated tracking systems to monitor what types of enquiries they get. The sole proprietor or business owner typically answers all the emails and by the end of the month, has no idea what kept them so busy. By setting up a separate email address for each division of your company, it is a great way to track types of questions you get from customers.

At the end of the month, just tally up the number of enquiries to each email account and you will know what area of your company kept you most busy. Over time, you can determine where your next hire should be or where you should make improvements in your operations.

Don't use Gmail,

I'm often asked to speak to small businesses at a variety of technology or entrepreneurship events. A frequently overlooked but important thing that I always mention is to have an effective email strategy.

People are typically surprised when they hear this. After all, how strategic is sending and receiving communication? Below are some do's and don't's for setting up your company email.

1. Don't use Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail or your ISP's email service as your business email.  I cringe every time I see on someone's business card yourcompany@hotmail.com or yourcompany@ISP.net.

Many companies, in particular micro-businesses and small businesses use Gmail, Hotmail or their ISP's email service for business email. This has an unprofessional appearance and gives the impression of a very small or even fly-by-night business. 

2. Do use your domain name for your email. Set up an email likeyourname@yourcompany.com or .ca.

You miss out on a great branding tool by not using your business name for email; in fact, you are actually promoting someone else's brand instead of your own! Why advertise for Google or Hotmail when you can advertise your own company?

3) Do set up multiple email accounts to organize your business, and where desirable, appear larger than you are. For example,info@yourcompany.com, sales@yourcompany.com,president@yourcompany.com, finance@yourcompany.com andsupport@yourcompany.com. All of these emails can be forwarded to the same person (or multiple people) but this gives the impression of sophisticated operation.

4. Do set up multiple email accounts to help determine your HR needs and business bottlenecks. Small businesses usually don't have the resources to implement sophisticated tracking systems to monitor what types of enquiries they get. The sole proprietor or business owner typically answers all the emails and by the end of the month, has no idea what kept them so busy. By setting up a separate email address for each division of your company, it is a great way to track types of questions you get from customers.

At the end of the month, just tally up the number of enquiries to each email account and you will know what area of your company kept you most busy. Over time, you can determine where your next hire should be or where you should make improvements in your operations.

Who is it targeted at?

Who is it targeted at?

The program aims to simplify getting your business online.  It offers ‘out the box’ templates with which to slot in the relevant information for your business.  The simple templates are easy to use and do not require you to employ a website designer making it quick and easy to get your business online.

What to consider

The templates included in the program are designed to appeal to the mass market.  They are not designed to your company or your businesses specific needs.  If you have something particular in mind which is not included in the template, you will need to employ a professional or spend some time to learn how to make these changes.

Although the program offers you a simple solution to create the physical website, you still need to take your time to consider the structure and content of the site.  By using online tools such as Google’s Keyword Tool to assess the words which people are using to find similar products and services, you will gain an insight to what your potential new clients are looking for. It is important to spend this time creating good content that reflects the brand of your company.

What’s different about this product?

The main drivers for this program are that the start up cost is entirely free and that the Google name is associated with it.  However this is not a new product for the market.  Many companies are already offering low cost domain registration and hosting packages with varying additional incentives.    As with any product, they key is to do your research, consider your requirements and then decide on the best product for you.

With the majority

With the majority of Canadians looking online for a product or service, if you do not have a website, you may be missing an opportunity to find new customers and have new customers find you.

According to a survey by Angus Reid, commissioned by Google, 71% of small business owners have thought about creating a website but had decided that they did not have the time to learn the necessary skills to create one from scratch.  With less than half of small businesses in Canada having a web presence, this leaves a lot of untapped market.

If you are one of those businesses who would like help in creating a website but do not know where to start there are many options for you out there.  One of which is Google’s new program ‘Get Your Business Online’ which launched this week in Toronto.

What’s the offer?

Google has partnered with Yola to offer free domain registration and free web hosting for a year.  It is then offering a $100 Google AdWords voucher, to help promote your new website and its products or services.

Once the 12 month free trial has finished, you will have the option to continue to host with Yola or look for an alternative hosting company.  Whichever suits your needs, or your pocket.

Who is it targeted at?

The program aims to simplify getting your business online.  It offers ‘out the box’ templates with which to slot in the relevant information for your business.  The simple templates are easy to use and do not require you to employ a website designer making it quick and easy to get your business online.

Hire a Freelance Web Professional1

Hire a Freelance Web Professional

Hiring a freelance web designer or developer means hiring a professional who has the necessary web design skills and knowledge, but doesn't have the overhead of a traditional design agency.

Freelancers are generally less expensive than a design firm, and offer a direct line of communication – you are only dealing with one individual, as opposed to a multi-person team at an agency. They usually provide trouble-shooting, maintenance and upgrade services at reasonable rates.

However, they may not have all the required development or internet marketing skills you need to satisfy all the requirements of your website project . Additionally, if a freelancer suddenly becomes temporarily or permanently unavailable for work, then you will have to find another web professional to maintain your website – which can be a problem if you don't have access to your files (and your domain name) or your website is built in a manner that makes it difficult for another freelancer to take over.

Costs of hiring a freelance designer/developer vary significantly. Some freelancers charge on a per project basis, but more often charge by the hour. Current rates average $50 to $100 per hour, and the total cost of building your website will depend heavily on the scope of the project.

4. Hire a Design Agency

If budget is less of a concern or you have complex development needs, then you may want the full-service approach that a design agency offers. Agencies will assign your project to a team of professionals which may include a project manager, creative director, designer, developer, and content strategist. This team will work together to ensure all aspects of your web development project are in sync. Web design agencies may also offer print work to ensure their client's online and offline messages are complementary.

Web design firms often charge a flat fee for an entire project, and their hourly rates average from $100 to $150 per hour.

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

There’s no “one size fits all solution” when it comes to building your business’ website. Ultimately, how you decide to build your website – and who you enlist to help you do that – will depend greatly on your specific requirements. Simple brochure-style websites may be suitable for an ambitious DIYer to tackle. However, complex and dynamic sites that require integration with third-party services and plugins will likely require the intervention of a web professional.

Whichever route you take, be sure to map out your website requirements in advance, and remember that making an investment in a well-built website now can save you and your business time and money in the future.

Hire a Freelance Web Professional

Hire a Freelance Web Professional

Hiring a freelance web designer or developer means hiring a professional who has the necessary web design skills and knowledge, but doesn't have the overhead of a traditional design agency.

Freelancers are generally less expensive than a design firm, and offer a direct line of communication – you are only dealing with one individual, as opposed to a multi-person team at an agency. They usually provide trouble-shooting, maintenance and upgrade services at reasonable rates.

However, they may not have all the required development or internet marketing skills you need to satisfy all the requirements of your website project . Additionally, if a freelancer suddenly becomes temporarily or permanently unavailable for work, then you will have to find another web professional to maintain your website – which can be a problem if you don't have access to your files (and your domain name) or your website is built in a manner that makes it difficult for another freelancer to take over.

Costs of hiring a freelance designer/developer vary significantly. Some freelancers charge on a per project basis, but more often charge by the hour. Current rates average $50 to $100 per hour, and the total cost of building your website will depend heavily on the scope of the project.

4. Hire a Design Agency

If budget is less of a concern or you have complex development needs, then you may want the full-service approach that a design agency offers. Agencies will assign your project to a team of professionals which may include a project manager, creative director, designer, developer, and content strategist. This team will work together to ensure all aspects of your web development project are in sync. Web design agencies may also offer print work to ensure their client's online and offline messages are complementary.

Web design firms often charge a flat fee for an entire project, and their hourly rates average from $100 to $150 per hour.

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

There’s no “one size fits all solution” when it comes to building your business’ website. Ultimately, how you decide to build your website – and who you enlist to help you do that – will depend greatly on your specific requirements. Simple brochure-style websites may be suitable for an ambitious DIYer to tackle. However, complex and dynamic sites that require integration with third-party services and plugins will likely require the intervention of a web professional.

Whichever route you take, be sure to map out your website requirements in advance, and remember that making an investment in a well-built website now can save you and your business time and money in the future.