Barclays on Mumsnet Online Business Fortnight Summary of all links

[AnnMumsnet]

Do you own your own online business? Thinking about starting one? Want to make your off line business online? Have an interest in all things business? Read on!

It's time to kick off the Barclays on Mumsnet Online Business Fortnight!
Today Barclays are tackling one of the key building blocks you need to take your business to the next level online.

Barclays say "Across the next two weeks we’ll have experts taking us through topics like social media, building a website, and marketing on a shoestring (take a look at the full programme now). It’s all designed to help you with the things that really matter – more customers; better brand awareness; cost effectiveness; and growing your business".

They also want to hear your suggestions and feedback. What's working? What's not? What do you need more info on? What have you already got sorted?

So, Day 1! Your business website. Barclays have experts talking [[http://www.mumsnet.com/microsites/barclays/business/building-your-website
building, hosting and maintenance]] – as well as helping to answer that all-important question: do you really need a business website? Let them know your thoughts below and share your experiences of this – good, bad and ugly!

Please note Barclays may use any tips or comments you make on these pages in future content. Please only add your comment if you consent to this – your tips will, of course, be anon.

MNHQ
PS please do bookmark this page for future updates across the next 2 weeks.

[InMySpareTime]

Interesting.
Apparently Barclays' idea of a "business fortnight" does not include weekends.
My business fortnight does!

[InMySpareTime]

I wonder what's in store today?

[AnnMumsnet]

Welcome back to the Barclays on Mumsnet Online Business Fortnight – Monday means web design for your business.

Today Barclays are talking online visuals – how do you make sure your business looks up to scratch online? What takes a good business website to a great one?

After last week's web build breakdown, you should have the nuts and bolts of your web presence planned, so now we've got all the dos and don'ts you need to ensure you and your business look the part online.

Share some of your favourite examples of web design or ideas for your own site below – and don’t forget to let us know how you’re getting on so far with the Barclays on Mumsnet Online Business Fortnight.

[InMySpareTime]

I did my own web design, based on a Wordpress template.
My brother is studying Graphic Design, he did my logo free and put it in his portfolio. My sister runs intranets and is a social media expert, she sends me articles about new social media trends and set up my WP.com user account.
I probably don't give my websites the time I should (about 1hr a week), but I get enough work through them so must be doing something right...

[AnnMumsnet]

More from the Barclays on Mumsnet Online Business Fortnight with social media and your business.

Day Seven of the Online Business Fortnight and Barclays are taking on social media. They look at how you can build your brand on social media, talk to your customers and even bag some new ones.

What do you reckon; can social media really work for businesses?

And -

Let us know your social media successes and fails now!

Remember to enter the Barclays social media prize draw for your chance to win one of these great prizes: a ticket to a Barclays Thrive Online seminar (including £400 of vouchers for online marketing), a mentoring session with expert, Carrie Longton, co-founder of Mumsnet, or lots of inspiring business books to help you on your way.

PS. How are you getting on so far? Have you designed your web presence yet?

[escape]

The message to tweet is longer than 140 characters - not being pedantic, just saying :)

[johnworf]

We used Wordpress - fairly cheap to buy the template, plug-ins freely available, compatible with e-commerce. Back end is fairly straight forward and there is a blog built in. Try Theme Forest for lots of different lay outs. If you're not au fait with with designing or building your own site then you could go for an easy e-commerce package such as bigcartel. Very easy to use. Downside is you pay a a subscription each month.

For logo's, headers, graphics, and so much more, have a look at fiverr. This is a website where professionals will do work for you starting at $5. You have options to add on to this (at a very reasonable rate) e.g. owning the license for a graphic/logo.

For great fonts look at font squirrel. Contemporary fonts that are free to download.

[AnnMumsnet]

escape.....

tweet for the prize draw is now;

I've entered the Barclays on Mumsnet #onlinebizfortnight prize draw. Find out more at bit.ly/19BOFJO (T&Cs apply)

find out more here

[kateandme]

ve heard from many business that social media in todays climate is essential.people dont pay for magazines or booklets.so many people are on the web nowadays its where you get noticed.
blogs are ezpecially helpful.with things being so much online it seems people still like to no the day to day of business dealings and goings on.makes people feel included in the brand.
i have found that if anyone wants to know about businness social media or websties are the places they will go.

[AnnMumsnet]

It's networking Wednesday in the Online Business Fortnight

Time to network! The Barclays networking experts look at how to build a business network that really works for you, including how to turn that into more customers, lucrative skills-sharing and a group of expert supporters.

So, is networking just a buzzword? Share your best networking tips, and why not throw out some requests for skills-shares or support, while you're at it?

Remember to keep Barclays posted on how you're finding the Barclays on Mumsnet Online Business Fortnight too!

And please do add a question for the experts lined up for the LIVE webchat tomorrow - questions can be posted in advance or during the chat

[InMySpareTime]

My top networking tip:
Find people who work with the demographic you're after. Share their work with your followers and they'll (usually) return the favour.
Think how your business can complement other businesses, and work together, not to steal their business, but to expand the market for both your products.
For example: I have just finished a book of stories, each story is 100 words long. I've teamed up with a children's drama coach, because as part of the level 2 drama exam they need to memorise and recite a passage exactly 100 words long.
The coach used to spend evenings finding book passages and counting words, now she can just direct parents to buy my book.

[johnworf]

See if there are any networking groups in your area (or out of your area that you can get to). These are a great source of meeting small business owners who can share tips, gives seminars on various topics business related and put leads your way.

Use Twitter to find people/businesses with similar interests to yours or that would complement your products/services. Get interacting with them! The same with Google +, Linked In and Facebook. I use Pinterest too.

UK Business Forums website is a great source of information and you will also find other people on there that may be useful.

[AnnMumsnet]

With a follow-up to last week, we're looking at paid-for online marketing today – but on a budget!

Today Barclays are digging a bit deeper into online marketing opportunities - from sponsored content to advertising on social media and search engines.

Find lots of different options for your business that won't blow your spreadsheets – not to mention great ways to find out more about your customers and how to market to them.

Why not share your marketing ideas below and see if anyone would bite? And don't forget to share how you're getting on with all the other elements of the Barclays on Mumsnet Online Business Fortnight

and it's webchat day!

[InMySpareTime]

I have never paid for online marketing, I get enough business through free channels and word of mouth.

[AnnMumsnet]

It's Friday and that means the last day of the Barclays on Mumsnet Online Business Fortnight and we're talking customer matters.

Now you're getting into tip-top shape online, how can you encourage the customers you've got, grab some new ones, and remind some of your more forgetful ones that you and your business still exist?

Barclays have got fantastic tips and ideas from their experts on how to make the most of your customer database, and how the internet can help you stay front of mind, whatever your business.

MN and Barclays hope you've now got the tools you need to take your business to the next level online – share your success stories with on this thread now, and keep a lookout next week for the round-up of the fortnight, including all-new top tips from our experts!

You can see all the support and expert tips, plus much more now at Barclays on Mumsnet.

And do check out the hectic webchat from last night - hope it was useful