One of the best easyways to accept credit cards online, and also my favorite way to get paid online might be pay pal. Accepting credit cards online from a websitecan cause liability issues and I’m not into exposing myself to risk, not of that type. With scammer running rampant I think it is important to choose wisely when thinking about accepting other people’s credit card information.

How do I Accept Credit Cards For Free Online?

Most any reputable Internet merchant service that allows you the ability to accept people’s credit cards over the phone or on the Internet are going to charge service type fees.  So I doubt you will find a free way to accept credit cards from your website.  I don’t like fees, you don’t either, If we had the choice we would rather keep the money we earned and not pay a percentage on the money we receive. But with service comes expense. The online credit card processing companies that let you make transactions need to pay for their servers, protecting your clients information, their customer service employees and such. Here is the thing though, if your going to pay service fees to a company every month, do some research into that particular merchant service and be sure your getting something for the fee you have to pay every month.

What is a fair per transaction percentage for a merchant service?

I think this depends on a few details that drive cost in making financial transaction. Details like oversees money transfer, risk to the merchant service, the amount and frequency all determine the per transaction percentages you can expect to pay your processing service.
I’ve sen percentages as low as 1.5% and as high as 5.7%. Just like getting a credit card with the lowest long term APR, you have to do your home work when choosing a good and reputable company to work with.

Are There Credit Card Processing Service with No Monthly Fees?

If you don’t do a large number of transactions every month then choosing a company that does NOT charge a service fee every month or an equipment fee month by month is probably a good idea. I’ve seen online companies charge serval $100 or more per month as a subscription to their service, unless you have a particular reason for doing this don’t. My favorite online credit card processer is free of month to month charges, I only pay a percentage of transation at the point of transfer, so I never see a bill for the service and I like that.

I don’t have an online store and I don’t do a huge volume of credit card transactions, but I do accept money every week from small businesses I own on the Internet. I find that pay pal works perfect for me and I’d say that pay pal is my favorite online credit card processing service to use. Accepting money from advertisers is easy because most of them also have an account and the fees are very low, I think under 2%. That’s acceptable to me as it winds up being under 4 or 5 hundred bucks in fees. One of the other things I might mention is that accepting money from other income streams I have is free through regular bank transfers. I have agreements that automate me getting paid via direct deposit every month for long term advertisers. I like this.

Another nice thing with pay pal is that I can allow someone to purchase a subscription and automatically bill their credit card every month, which is nice because it allows me to skip the bookkeeping part of making money on the Internet. And I do. I get a statement at the end of the year and taxes can be done very quickly using this method.

Do you have experience, good and bad, with accepting credit cards with a processing service on the Internet? What is the best company you’ve found to accept other peoples credit cards?

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I thought this was a handy tool that can help you determine how long it will take to pay off a credit card balance or even a mortgage debt. You can specify what payments you want to make or how long before you desire to be debt free.

Paying off a credit card is exciting and an important step along the way to being debt free. Figuring credit card payoff can be difficult, paying the card off, well that’s another thing entirely. Here is a neat tool that will help you figure out the exact payoff time line or the exact payment to you need to make in order to pay off a credit card in a specified time frame, Check it Out.

Credit Card or Loan Payoff Calculator

–>

What will it take to pay off my credit card?
Enter your credit card balance: $ Enter the credit card’s interest rate: % Enter payment amount per month: $ or   Enter desired months until debt free:
Powered by:

Free JavaScripts provided

by The JavaScript Source

If you appreciate this free credit card payoff calculator, let us know in the comments.

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It’s got the small business world going bonkers, more and more people are looking for the right small business to start at home 2010. It doesn’t take a genuis to figure out why entrepreneurs are so interested in the work at home small business model, but the noise the phenomena is creating is almost defening at times. I hear it from about every angle there is. Over the last 3 years or so, when I actually started to see the potential in starting a successful personal business, the influx of people wanting to start a successful small buisness from their home office has be tremendous.

What are the top small businesses to start from Home?

It varies by who you ask, where they live, and what their background is but their is a trend that’s pointing to the fact that the best home businesses to start in 2010 is the one you CAN start. People seemed that jacked about getting the ball rolling. Start a small business has always been a fearful thing, covered in risk requirement and longterm committment. The at home small business model seems to be changing that. Individuals seem to understand that regardless of the the home business they decide to start, they are going to be learning, attracting customers, and finding new ways to make money all the time, so they seem to just be starting with that. The number of websites, paid and free, that go up everyday as statement of starting a new venture is amazing and the commerce categories of these start ups is as numberous as the webpages plastering the Internet.

What makes a home business successful?

Most successful home businesses regardless of the industry they are in have to do two things essentially, one is the business has to add value and two, someone has to pay you for that value.  Good advice, if you your looking for a profitable small business idea, is to go to some websites on the Internet that actually make money and figure out how they earn money.  Most successful at home businesses are not creating products, they are mearly connecting the people who do make them with the people who want to buy them.

Part time small home business start ups.

The best home based busnes ideas can be started part time in my opionon, it’s almost like putting your toes in the water before you jump in, not that you can’t do some simple market research in the niche you plan to start a busines in, still most people find comfort in starting small and building in time.  Most people enjoy the flexibility that a home business provides.  Being able to attent your childrens sporting evens, for example, is not a luxury many corporate employees have today while home business owners many times do.

Starting a successful personal business that is not directly tied to your local economic conditions is one of the main attributes people are looking for when they start a business from home, especially if they are using the Interenet.  Small internet business are able to tap into other more prosperous or thriving economies and this is one of the ways the Internet levels the playing field for small business owners.

I encourage you in your search for the 2010 best new small businesses or opportunities and hope this is the year you decide to start your business.  I think down economic times are the most favorable to start a business.  One way I look at it is that if you can make it in tough times, the better times will really rock your business.

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How’s business? Could it be better?

I came across a Internet business idea the other day, one that both makes sense and is appropriate for a broad scope of individuals. Its not a new idea, in fact its a business idea that was spawned by the World Wide Web years ago. People have been capitalizing on this business  idea more and more each year, maybe you can to.  In fact this business is unique in that it realistically allows people to quit their job with just 5 customers, get that!

Its a real business though, not a passive, automated cash cow like this blog (hehe)  you’d have customers just like every other real business in your town. In fact you’d likely be working with small business owners.

Tim Godfrey and Steve Clayton put it all together for you in bite size pieces so you can turn the business into profits quickly and if you already do some SEO or SEM work you’ll be able to earn more.

Have you ever placed google AdWords?  Do you have a blog?  Do you understand the basics of SEO?  Its likely you have the skills or could acquire them quickly in order to start a search engine marketing company.  Now before you say, nope, not for me, give it some thought.

I’ve spent some coin with G ad words. I know how it works.  While I’m no expert, I could help local small business owners drive immediate paid traffic to their small business website. 

SEM and SEO is one of the highest demand home based business ideas on the Internet today.  You don’t have to have some big company to start a business doing SEM. A few clients would pay well every month to have you take care of their online marketing.  You could piece meal things like web design, graphics, and other components you may not have the expertise in. Think about it.

I’m including a link that takes you to a fully set up program for starting a SEM business on the Internet.  Go check it out  this guy has some great material that can take the guess work out of starting a your own Internet business in the SEO and SEM industry.

Let us know what you think!

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Business Planning and Surety Protection

Liability is a major concern in this modern, over-litigious world.
Through purchase of a surety bond you can protect yourself and your business in the event of nonperformance of contractors or delivery of product.

Starting Your Own Business…. Starts with a Plan!

Welcome Back,  If an entrepreneurial bug has you business planning, brainstorming, and chomping at the bit, you’ll appreciate a few tips on starting your own business.  All great small business opportunities start with a great business idea, but It can’t stop there.

Smart Business Planning.

Have you ever wondered why its “OK” for the small business failure rate to be around 95% after 5 years?  And if you think that stats a bunch of bunk, I invite you to site some credible resource that shows different, I’ve looked.  Business planning has to be on the short list of common reasons small business start ups fail.  Traditional business planning many times points to core business processes.  Accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and cash flow are the targets of the traditional business planner.

Business planning: An Alternative Approach.

Creating forecasts and sales targets, while widely accepted and quite useful no doubt, leave a bit to be desired given the failure rate of people starting their own business.  If you have a great business idea and your ready to start your own business, here are a few more tips that I’ve learned and find useful.

• Is your idea built off an existing idea or market?
• How will you fund your business?
• How can you start your business with 50% less funds that planned now?
• What significant differences does your business MODEL have?
• Which weighs more on your expecting success, the business model or the business idea?
• Why will you business surpass ridiculously unfavorable odds of success?
• Do you have a genuine love for the idea you intend transform into a business?
• Does you business have to “look” successful, how much will this cost?
• Can you form partnerships with existing businesses that are related but not competitors?
• Can you provide product or service to an audience in another state or nation?
• Is your idea scalable? Will it work with 5 customers and 5,000 customers?
• What is the impact of growth on profitability?
• Is the business idea one that can innovate an grow into other “related markets”?
• Is automation a key element in your idea?  What is your function as the entrepreneur?

The Best Small Business Start Ups.

In his book, Good to Great, Jim Collins talks about what you can be “the best in the world at”.  What is that your business idea will be the best in the world at?  One of the things to consider when business planning is to understand your niche.  Many people starting a small business are finding that a niche that used to be considered to small because of geographical restrictions is now a top small business idea to start. The Internet as a means of connecting with customers around the globe is a major contributor to the micro-niche trend.  Whats your micro niche?

Small Business Planning Forum

Got an idea or question? What are some things you’ve learned with regard to being successful starting up a small business?

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Small business entrepreneurs using the Internet to market their small business products or services have a new free SEO course provided by none other than Goggle itself…. (find the link 3/4 down the page)

Before you download or take a look at the course, I’ll tell you it is not a definitive guide. But it will get you started in the right direction. If you have a free SEO course (Tell How Much if Not Free!) or newsletter, would you please let us know by providing a link in the comments section. Comments on this and our other blogs should be “DO FOLLOW”… I will also be adding other courses as they come to my attention.

Free Seo Courses For Small Business

If your a small business owner who is looking into the possibilities and advantages and trying to compare the expense and risk of doing business online, it gives a good idea of what is involved in maintaining a successful website for small business online. The free seo course can be downloaded at the bottom of this post.  We also invite readers to post other course they offer in the comments.

Online Business Course

If your an entrepreneur who already has a website it might not offer anything new, but it may offer validation that your going about it right. The course is current and that is valuable in and of itself. With so many free website builders and SEO friendly blogging platforms available to small business owners its tough to really know what is the best way to approach SEO.  I own a small seo company in michigan and can help with your SEO concerns. Visit the page titled SEO.

I like to say the proof is in the pudding. I don’t think it makes sense but I know what it means….

In the case of proof in small business online, we are talking about sales. From the Search Optimization perspective were are talking traffic. If you getting traffic, your doing something right. If your not, but have content that is original on your website or small business blog, then success may be a few tweaks away.

We offer a Search optimised website package you can learn more by visit our affordable SEO solution for small business page. Look at the top of the site and go to “SEO”

If your a hands on entrepreneur and would like to download the free google SEO course, go ahead it is in pdf format.

Free Seo Couses Available Online.

Be the first on the list……

1. ————-

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Online Entrepreneurs need to stay balanced. Especially home based entrepreneurs who can come to rely on the Internet for their connection to society. Take a break Silly!!!

Not Much Traffic Out Here!

I’ve been on an Island in Lake Michigan Since Late May. On and off, I should say, don’t call anyone, I’m not stranded or anything, it’s inhabited, sort of. I’ve given a lot of time to being in the woods, sailing, making cool things with stone, and working on my websites. Which is what I’m getting to.

It’s funny how analytical I’ve become in the last few months, and somewhat obsessed, I suppose. I’ve been checking analytics way to much.

Get this- I’m writing a post right now, not to give it all away, but, I’m writing a post on how normal people are out doing things on Friday nights when caffeine ridden webmasters are polishing their calloused mouse fingers.  And Its FRIDAY night… I should have waited… Damn!

Back to my point though, Its probably a good idea to just get away and join the other 95% of the planet at least one night a week. I struggle with this, as I’m a huge fan of momentum. I like working from a place of intention, building momentum, then taking an objective look at results. I find this is much more productive then trying to plan the rest of my life or a whole year in business. It’s a bit of a catch 22 I’d Say.

Online Entrepreneur Comes Clean

I don’t control my traffic count by obsessing over analytics, I don’t control it at all. What I control is what I do on a habitual basis, if I pay attention.  Friday night traffic is just fine even if I get a few hundred less page views. Maybe its a call to join the land of the living, get more in touch with what is pertinent, which will improve results more than anything right?

I don’t want to mess with momentum. Momentum is so easy, so natural… But, in the end what kills it can be rolling with it too long. I find discouragement sets in just about the time I lose focus of the intention I had a week or two before.

Balance is learning to take one step to the side and watch momentum from the side lines for a few days.  Stepping back in with a new perspective puts you back in charge of the reigns and renews your vision. Persistence doesn’t come natural to everyone. This being said if your a hard charger, like I can be, your likely a F— it all for a few days champion too. Here’s the point and a bit of unsolicited advice…

Step back in an intentional productive way instead of a drained, discouraged, and emotional way. You stay in power, and its much more healthy and balanced.

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How to Change the Shape of Your Body. Losing Weight is not the goal.

Does what you weigh really matter?

Would you rather weigh a 125lbs and be a size 12 or weight 140 lbs and be a size 6.

Truth on Weight Loss,Dieting,and Working Out.

I think that most of us would agree we’d rather weigh more a wear a smaller size. This maybe a new concept to many women out there but it is an important one that we grasp. You really don’t care how much you weigh as much as how you look in a swim suit or your favorite black dress right?

Best Fitness Strategy.

So when you begin to work out and get into shape to lose weight it’s important to keep your real goal as the most important goal. For most people that are going to be working out and getting into shape their goal is just that to “get into shape“, however many people say they want to lose weight.

How to Change the Shape of Your Body.

Did you know a women can actually reduce the size of her body and stay the same weight or actually gain pounds. And this is better than losing weight. Why is it better? It is better because pounds of fat and pounds of muscle burn calories. The more pounds a person weights the more they can eat and stay the same size.

Reasons Muscle is Better than Fat. 

Muscle weighs more than fat, is more compact than fat and burns more calories than fat. Think of it like this a pound of muscle is the size of an orange while a pound of fat is more like the size of a grapefruit. If you have 10 grapefruits they will take up more space than 10 oranges. Also the 10 oranges of muscle taking up less space burn more calories than the same 10 pounds of fat.

So if you have just started working out it is better to measure yourself than rely on the scale for proof of success. Measuring yourself is easy.

All you need is a measuring tape, you can pick on up anywhere that sells fabric. Then measure your waist (smallest part around your stomach area), lower waist (around your belly button), hips, thighs, bust, and biceps. Make a little chart write down the day and all your measurements. It is best to do this in the morning before eating or drinking to get the most accurate measurements. Measuring each week is a good idea. More than that and it’s easy to get discouraged.

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Best Stop Smoking Strategies and Successful Ways or Techniques Used to Stop Smoking For Good Can Be Discussed in the Comments Section…

By the way, we appreciate your continued participation in the discussion!

I’ve known a few people who have quit smoking. I’ve known many more who have “thought” about quitting smoking but never actually stopped the habit/addiction.  Now that I think of it, I’ve know people who have talked about quitting smoking for over ten years.  The fact that nicotine is an addictive substance probably illustrates best why this is true.

Successful Stop Smoking Idea: Your Health

I’ve know several women who, once learn they are pregnant, quit smoking cold turkey. I mean, done… When I think about this idea I try to understand the thinking that must go on in this situation.  Do mothers feel that the health of their baby is more important than a cigarette?  What does that say for the person who is quitting and how they feel about their own health?  I would think that an overall awareness of your health and maybe a more grateful approach to health could aid a successful drive to quit smoking for good.

Pregnant Women and Smoking

Is it really a health issue at all that keeps expecting mothers from smoking? Maybe it is societal pressure.  Don’t get me wrong here folks, I think it is great that new or expecting mothers choose to be smoke free, I just find it fascinating that someone who may have been wanting to quit for years, just quits cold turkey upon learning of their pregnancy.

Forum on Quitting Smoking.

I’m not a smoker myself and I’m very interested in learning from our readers what it is that helped you stop smoking and maybe a look into the thinking behind your successful approach? Here’s to quitting smoking this year!!!

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Many folks who have taken the liveaboard approach to a purposeful life have done so with much planning and care as for their financial plan… Or not?

The sailing bug packs a big bite and if you can shake the sting of a new neighborhood being a 3 or 4  hour 20 degree heel away then read on and learn of few ideas you can implement to create a solid income right from your cabin or cockpit. With a laptop and Wi Fi that is.

Work From Anywhere Income Ideas.

First off, if your doing the thing, living the dream, your dream… and have struck out as an adventurer with your family and your boat, then realise people would love to hear about it. That brings me to the first idea. Start a blog.

I recommend a word press self hosted blog, if you don’t know what that is visit our “services” page and drop me a note.

Your blog can consist of your adventures along with the day to day thoughts and ramblings you may have. If you have children, they make for great stories.

Leveraging expertise or interest you may have is also a great source of content for a popular and successful blog. What can a blog do to help your income as a liveaboard? Here are a couple ways you can earn money with a blog.

• You can do google AdSense.
• You can find affiliate products related to your topic choice.
• You can create your own product to sell on your blog.
• You can accept donations.
• You can connect with people who may be interested in a certain expertise you may have.

Other Income Ideas For Liveaboards.

A couple other ideas for earning income from your boat could include a turnkey business opportunity. Do your home work and see if there is an opportunity that catches your fancy and would be feasible with your living arrangements.

Certainly you come in contact with countless other people who are looking to solve the same challenge when you motor into any marina, this is another great sourse for income ideas.

I spend a couple months in sailing mode. Weather where I have my boat and live prevents an extended sailing season. We get several feet of ice and it really doesn’t matter what you draw in that situation.

I would mention that with ideas like adsense, it will take a while and you will need traffic that has a commercial interest. In otherwords, people looking to shop, or at least browse. 

A couple things I do that allow me to spend more time aboard our Catalina are:

1. Search enging optimization services.
2. Complete blog set-up for small business or personal blogging.
3. Entrepreneur coaching. (selective)

I also operate a lucrative home business, or boat business if you will, in the personal development field. It’s  a neat mix.  Not only is is a great income stream it also helps foster introspection and self growth, which to me is ideal for the time we spend on the boat.

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