09/23/2009

Create Your Own iPhone App

You don't need to be a web guru to design your own iPhone "app" (that's apple-speak for "application"). The newly launched Sweb Apps creates well-designed, customizable apps for a myriad of businesses, from restaurants to non-profits to retail stores. Through your app, customers can make purchases, contact you by phone or email, read your blog, and much more. Sweb Apps charges a one-time setup fee of $200-400, plus a hosting fee of $25/month. --Brian Luskey, Associate Editor

04/10/2009

New Sources for Competitive Intelligence

You know about Hoovers, LinkedIn and even Facebook when it comes to scoping out competitors. Now the social media phenomenon is spawning a new generation of websites you'll also want to scan to keep tabs on business friends, enemies or frenemies. CrunchBase bills itself as a free database of technology companies, people and investors that anyone can edit. The company profiles display an interesting array of charts, including a graph on how much buzz a startup is generating. Fast Pitch! is LinkedIn with an emphasis on communication; members use their company profiles to pitch press releases or reach out via instant message. Similar sites to know: Shout'Em and Dropjack. --Jeff B. Copeland, Content Product Manager

03/11/2009

Fixing Pooped-Out PCs takes Priority for Biz Managers

With budgets busted, small businesses are keeping computers longer, making PC tune-ups more critical than ever. According to OnForce, a giant network of IT service pros, service calls to fix pooped-out PCs have skyrocketed 65% over 12 months as more companies opt to fix rather than buy. Don't wait until your PCs break or get clogged with digital goop. Run PC tune-up software to clean out clutter, fix faulty settings and speed up systems. To do that, go with the leader. System Mechanic 8.5, from Iolo, is the best selling PC tune-up software and has garnered great reviews from computer magazines and websites. It can boost your PC speed and help eliminate slowdowns, crashes and freezes. -- Daniel Kehrer, Editor of Business.com

03/11/2009

New Service Aims to Cut Payment Processing Fees

Are credit card fees crunching your cash? Noca -- a new payment processing service just launched by some former Visa execs -- gives online merchants a low-cost way to let customers pay directly from their checking accounts. This could appeal particularly to businesses selling low-margin, low-cost items that are pinched by credit card payment processing fees. Noca uses Secure Check, a way for consumers to pay for purchases using their bank accounts directly from a merchant?s website. Consumers pay you directly via the national Automated Clearing House (ACH) system, cutting out the complex web of banks and payment processors in a typical credit card transaction. -- Daniel Kehrer, Editor of Business.com

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Create Your Own iPhone App

New Sources for Competitive Intelligence

Fixing Pooped-Out PCs takes Priority for Biz Managers

New Service Aims to Cut Payment Processing Fees

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