Internet Phone Service

VoIP - VoipStunt vs Skype - How They Compare

This article provides up to date information in relation to VoIP services provided by VoipStunt and Skype however mainly focuses on call cost and free calls.

VoipStunt
Free calls to any regular landline in these countries with the condition that the call drops out after one minute if not registered with credits however if have call credits provides 300 minutes of free calls per week? It appears 10 Euro will activate the 300 minutes of free calls and low priced calls to many other destinations and mobiles.

It must be noted however that it is very clearly written into the terms and conditions that Voipstunt do not nor do they intend to provide emergency service call facilities. This option should seriously be weighed up especially in the case where this provider is going to be utilized as the sole method of telephone communications. However most households do have mobile phone(s) so this may not be a significant consideration.

Countries included for free calls include Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela.

If using the software phone option ie a headset with VoipStunt software, it is possible that Zimmerman’s Beta encryption tool ZFone may be utilized where as Skype utilizes a separate propriety encryption that allows no public scrutiny.

The service does allow for SIP connection with instructions on how to configure your SIP phone or router. (Source: VoipStunt website)

Skype
With Skype calls to other Skype clients are free regardless of location.

However if you wish to make calls to non Skype clients then this is called “SkypeOut”. Calls can be made to the 20 most popular call destinations for the one SkypeOut global rate. At the time of writing this rate was 1.7 Euro Cents per minute equating to about 2 US cents or 1.1 pence. With SkypeOut there is no line rental and no contract fees.

The SkypeOut global rate includes the following countries:

Argentina (Buenos Aires), Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Canada (mobiles), Chile, China (Beijing, Guanzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen), China (mobiles), Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hong Kong (mobiles), Ireland, Italy, Mexico (Mexico City, Monterrey), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland (Poland, Gdansk, Warsaw), Portugal, Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg), Singapore, Singapore (mobiles), South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (Taipei), United Kingdom, United States (except Alaska and Hawaii) and United States (mobiles).

It should be noted that unless specifically mentioned, this rate is only applicable to regular landline telephones with mobiles more expensive. However note that Canada, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and United States are listed under the SkypeOut global rate for calling mobiles.

Other destinations are available and it would be advisable to check this rate prior to obtaining credits or calling.

Skype voicemail is available for a fee of 5 Euro for 3 months or 15 Euro for 12 months.

SkypeIn is where you wish to have a conventional phone number so you can be called from conventional phones. The fee for this service is 10 Euro for 3 months and 30 Euro for 12 months. Voicemail is included free if you subscribe to SkypeIn.

Please note that Skype also does not provide emergency services access and actually stipulates that “Skype is not a replacement for your ordinary telephone and can’t be used for emergency calling.” (source : Skype website).

Summary
This article has compared two well known VoIP providers to allow potential or existing VoIP users an idea of whether either of these providers may be useful to you. Both provide significant free calls with numerous countries included on a free list for both services.

AOL Playing Catch-Up with Skype

AOL said earlier this week they will open up their VoIP platform for 3rd party development. I guess Skype and it’s parent company eBay is making louder footsteps then AOL anticipated. AOL announced three tools which will become available for hardware and software developers.

1) An API to develop “ringback” tones or personalized ring tones

2) Another would allow hardware developers to create USB devices that work with the service like headsets, phones and speaker phones.

3) The last API would allow for call management features to be used with AIM VoIP platform.

AOL says they are excited about opening up the oldest on-line instant messaging program to the AIM Phoneline platform and giving developers the power to be creative and bring about new and unique voice communication services (what else would AOL say when coming to the game as late as they have).

AOL indicated some products will be available at the fall VON 2006 show in Boston, MA a semi-annual conference of VoIP providers and device manufacturers.

Products include iotum showing off an intelligent application to handle incoming calls and Ims. MyNuMo will unveil an on-line ringtone and ringback store for service and Mvox will announce wireless USB phones compatible with the AOL Phoneline platform.

To boot, AOL started a contest to spur development with a grand prize of $3,500 (although developing such products would probably cost a lot more!) so if you’re the tinker type you’ve got till November to come up with something.

Article from: GetUSB.info
Permalink: http://www.getusb.info/?p=295

Microsoft CRM Conversation Gateway: VoIP - Implementation & Customization

Microsoft CRM is winning market share step-by-step from such the traditional CRM providers as Siebel, Saleslogix. In this article we’ll show Microsoft Business Solutions CRM potential in the VoIP direction. Nowadays VOIP-based technologies and Instant Messaging Systems are getting wider and wider spread. Each work desk or each personal computer has one or another instrument of information exchange, belonging to the VOIP or instant messaging systems. Currently the mostly presented information exchange systems are:

• Skype (http://www.skype.com). Revolution system of sound compression – the tolerance to the bandwidth of the channel enabled VoIP amusement features to the general internet world-wide user with microphone and headset, Windows/Linux/Mac OS X operating systems, internet access and free registration with Skype. Plus Skype application has instant messenger between skype users. New features and services SkypeOut and SkypeIn allow you not only to call to the regular phones from your computers with very low rates, but also accept the calls on your skype phone number in the SkypeIn system.

• MSN Messenger (http://messenger.msn.com). Quite successful attempt of the Microsoft open the door to the instant messengers market. MSN Messenger gained market with the speed of light, due to the tight integration with Microsoft Windows. Every new version adds new functionalities – MSN Spaces integration, audio and video transfer etc.

• Yahoo! Messenger (http://messenger.yahoo.com). IM system of the Yahoo! portal, has standard set of features for communication, including audio and video stream transfer.

• AOL Instant Messenger (http://www.aim.com). This is one of the veterans of the IM system market. Considering the popularity of AOL as internet provider – AOL instant messenger holds substantial market share.

• ICQ – (http://www.icq.com). Yes – we do not have to give you additional comments, we are targeting this article to IT professionals who were working in the Clinton era of American internet miracle and booming. Let us just add that with the release of version 5 ICQ introduced new features of the audio and video conversation.

• VoIP & IM systems are popular not only in the home office environment, but are gaining popularity in the corporate market. One of the proves is the release of Microsoft Live Communication Server, which allows messages streams coordination and control. Natural idea – should we enable VoIP and IM conversation with automatic protocol? It is always good to have paper copy of the MSN conference, related to the project, product, in the form of MS CRM Activity. Or, from CRM interface to call your potential customer via Skype. Or accept the incoming call via SkypeIn and record the call to the CRM database to be accurate with the following negotiations. The usage is really unlimited and is currently restricted only by human conservative nature

Now, let’s consider the schema of MS CRM extensions to enable such a system:

• The main component is Albaspectrum Media Core for MS CRM – the module, providing media streams saving in the special database, interaction with the specializing connectors to IM/VoIP systems. Its function is also Activity creation in the Microsoft CRM system.

• The second important component is modification to these forms: Contact, Account etc. Modification is adding phones, addresses, Skype, MSN, AOL, Yahoo identifiers. Also we have to add SkypeOut phone calls service. In the future we plan PBX/PSTN support via MS Office Communicator 2005

• Planned addition - Answering Machine module, controlling incoming calls and messages from clients and saves them in Media Database. If manager is out of his desk, system will save the message and will create Activity in personal queue – you will not miss no one customer call! Plus all the calls from non-registered clients/prospects might be associated with one or another Account, Contact, Lead, etc.

Let’s consider the process of the phone call/receiving or message recording:

• CRM User opens client form and reads telephone or skype ID to place the call. If she/he would like to talk to skype user – Skype application must be installed of the local machine and she/he needs to be skype online user. If she/he calls to another Skype user, then we don’t have additional requirements. In the case when call is placed on PSTN number, CRM user needs to have SkypeOut active account. In both cases – when user picks up the phone or is absent – CRM activity will be created with the relevant status. If the call was accepted, automatic call recording will be switched on, activity will be created with the indication on the phone duration. For MSN, Yahoo!, ICQ audio conversations – all the mentioned above is relevant, except PSTN support (currently skype only).

• The above described process is similar for instant messenger conversations, recorded by MSN Messenger, ICQ, Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger.

• CRM User could appeal to Full-Text Search upon the saving to Media Database of text talks directly from the MS CRM interface.

• For the users, who are accessing CRM over the internet we envision IM system support (as http://webmessenger.msn.com) in the MS CRM forms.

Good luck with integration! If you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-630-961-5918 or 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com

Skypecasting and Marketing With Skype

Skype is already changing the way we do we do business, even as you’re reading this. A little piece of software that uses VoIP (Voice Over IP) and P2P (Peer-to-Peer) technology, it created waves after waves of excitement, anticipation and even frustration since its launch.

Skype (sometimes pronounced as Skaip or Skypee) is a softphone application that allows you to make phone calls from your PC direct to another Skype user, or any regular fixed or mobile telephone. The cost is extremely cheap, and the quality has seen massive leaps of continuous improvement since it’s launch in 2003. Everyone knows all that.

Here’s what most people don’t know: Skype can be used as powerful and effective marketing tool for any small business. If you want to reach an international market, get telephone inquiries and leads from China, or even if you just want to use it to communicate with your business buddies, you should explore the hidden potential of Skype.

The latest phenomenon to be related to Skype is “Skypecasting” which is basically having teleconferences using Skype. In fact Skpecasting itself is a term coined from “Podcasting”. With Skypecasting you can have online teleconferences for free. The latest version of Skype should support more than 100 users simultaneously so numbers should not be a problem.

However, there are more basic Skype applications that can also be used to get your sales and marketing efforts across to your target market quickly.

SkypeIn, a feature of Skype still in beta, allows you to create virtual numbers in many different countries. If you maximize on this fact, you can literally have “virtual offices” all around the world, even if you’re a home based business entrepreneur with no staff, an embarrassing budget and limited time.

There are many third party applications that enhance the basic software. If you know the correct ones to use, you can literally build a “virtual call center” from your desktop that has all the feature of a real call center: your own personal secretary, day-and-time manager, call routing and call waiting, conditional call forwarding, language translations and much more.

If the “off-the-shelf” version just doesn’t cut it for your business needs, then you can customize and adapt Skype into your own proprietary systems and software. You can choose to do this in-house, or outsource it to experts all over the world. If you know where and how to do this, you can create a powerful telemarketing application that cost pennies a day compared to the traditional solutions. It will be much more time-efficient, too.

Of course, there are more third-party applications being developed as you’re reading this. In fact, much like the iPod, there’s an entire sub-industry built around Skype, including USB phones, lead generators, Skype “call centers” and much more. All in all, it’s an exciting time for telecommunications over the web.

Skypecasting and Marketing With Skype

Skype is already changing the way we do we do business, even as you’re reading this. A little piece of software that uses VoIP (Voice Over IP) and P2P (Peer-to-Peer) technology, it created waves after waves of excitement, anticipation and even frustration since its launch.

Skype (sometimes pronounced as Skaip or Skypee) is a softphone application that allows you to make phone calls from your PC direct to another Skype user, or any regular fixed or mobile telephone. The cost is extremely cheap, and the quality has seen massive leaps of continuous improvement since it’s launch in 2003. Everyone knows all that.

Here’s what most people don’t know: Skype can be used as powerful and effective marketing tool for any small business. If you want to reach an international market, get telephone inquiries and leads from China, or even if you just want to use it to communicate with your business buddies, you should explore the hidden potential of Skype.

The latest phenomenon to be related to Skype is “Skypecasting” which is basically having teleconferences using Skype. In fact Skpecasting itself is a term coined from “Podcasting”. With Skypecasting you can have online teleconferences for free. The latest version of Skype should support more than 100 users simultaneously so numbers should not be a problem.

However, there are more basic Skype applications that can also be used to get your sales and marketing efforts across to your target market quickly.

SkypeIn, a feature of Skype still in beta, allows you to create virtual numbers in many different countries. If you maximize on this fact, you can literally have “virtual offices” all around the world, even if you’re a home based business entrepreneur with no staff, an embarrassing budget and limited time.

There are many third party applications that enhance the basic software. If you know the correct ones to use, you can literally build a “virtual call center” from your desktop that has all the feature of a real call center: your own personal secretary, day-and-time manager, call routing and call waiting, conditional call forwarding, language translations and much more.

If the “off-the-shelf” version just doesn’t cut it for your business needs, then you can customize and adapt Skype into your own proprietary systems and software. You can choose to do this in-house, or outsource it to experts all over the world. If you know where and how to do this, you can create a powerful telemarketing application that cost pennies a day compared to the traditional solutions. It will be much more time-efficient, too.

Of course, there are more third-party applications being developed as you’re reading this. In fact, much like the iPod, there’s an entire sub-industry built around Skype, including USB phones, lead generators, Skype “call centers” and much more. All in all, it’s an exciting time for telecommunications over the web.

The Skype Approach to VoIP

With internet usage reaching almost every country, and economic class, and with its permeation throughout the western world, applications designed to harness its potential in ever more practical ways are constantly arising. One such application is Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP), which continues to challenge its own limitations. There are a few leading players who are jostling for supremacy, including Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, Skype, and Vonage.

Recently, there have been many converts to Skype, including this reviewer. There are several factors that have influenced my own personal move, but my primary motivations were innovation, quality, and marketability. VoIP has always been an application that is easily marketable, and Skype has added innovative features that are quality-rich:

• SkypeOut, where you can use your computer to call ordinary phone numbers all over the world. The global SkypeOut rate is currently 1.7 Euro Cent (about 2 US cents or 1.1 pence) per minute to more than 20 countries.

• SkypeIn, which is a virtual phone number your friends can call. This is in beta testing at the time of writing this review, but the 12-month subscription is available for € 30 and 3 months for € 10.

• Skype Voicemail, which lets you redirect calls to your voicemail, is available at € 5 for 3 months or € 15 for the year.

However, the most widespread application of Skype is PC-to-PC calls. Any user can make free calls over the Internet to anyone else who also has Skype. It is a simple wizard-based process to download and use the application, and works via your broadband connection with operating systems based on Microsoft Windows, Mac, Linux, and Pocket PCs. All you need is a PC microphone and speakers or a basic USB headset, and what you get is a real-time, telephone-quality voice conversation with any PC end-user in the world. I found the downloading to be extremely simple and straightforward and imagine that anyone, no matter your computer fluency will find it easy as well.

In addition to its ease of setup, the features of Skype are really impressive. There is a facility to search the Skype database, so that you are able to build a list of contacts. We have used Skype for Windows 1.4 for a PC-to-PC conversation between Los Angeles and Mumbai (India), and there was no recorded break in the half-hour call. The clarity was definitely on par with a normal telephone, perhaps even better, with no noticeable time lag. On subsequent calls between these destinations and other US cities including Chicago, the quality continues to amaze us, and the fact that Skype works in most environments, irrespective of firewalls or NAT, widens its reach.

So, what’s the downside? A comparative analysis will help clarify the situation. For a start, Skype does not offer as many calling features as other service providers like Vonage. Then, there have been question marks about the technical/customer support offered by Skype. Another point where Skype loses out is the quality of the SkypeOut package, where the calls made to landlines are of inconsistent quality. One hopes that Skype can add video chat to its repertoire in the near future, which will place Skype on an equal standing with other free VoIP providers like Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger, which already have video capabilities. Skype is undoubtedly ahead of both MSN and Yahoo in terms of voice quality and the real-time conversation experience. On the other side of the spectrum, Vonage offers feature-rich services and better customer service, although all this comes at a price.

My Overall Assessment: Vonage is a better option than Skype for traditional telephone users because Skype is totally computer-dependent and caters to consumers who are “living out of their computers.”

The future has a lot to offer, and undoubtedly Skype will move forward in its evolutionary process, and hopefully improve SkypeOut and emerge successfully out of beta testing for SkypeIn. However, for the moment, Skype is arguably the best option for free PC-to-PC calls. Skype says that the “current focus is to make the best voice-application on the planet”—judging from user feedback around the world, Skype has already gone a long distance towards that objective.

Snowboarding in the Desert

The Internet connected me, indirectly, with an artificial ski field in the Persian Gulf. This proves it connects me with everyone, everywhere.

The Internet can link us, directly or indirectly, with anyone, anywhere, anytime. The link between me and snowboarding in a sheikdom of eastern United Arab Emirates on the Persian Gulf was indirect. Someone emailed a friend of mine with pictures of an enclosed artificial snowfield in the desert of Dubai.

Two pictures showing the construction.




Plus three pictures showing the winter wonderland inside once it was finished.







(These photos can also be found at an urbane legend reference page -
http://www.snopes.com/photos/architecture/indoorski.asp)

The email had minimal text, just a few lines talking about an engineering marvel in Dubai, and the fact that it gets up to 120 F (49 C) there (outside). A quick web search disputed this saying Dubai’s average maximum is 39 C (102 F) in both July and August. In January it gets down to a ‘chilly’ 14 C (56 F) as an average minimum. So in the coldest part of the year, at the coldest part of the day, it is still twenty-four degrees Fahrenheit above freezing temperature.

However, now people can ski and snowboard in Dubai all year round. Further Internet searching revealed the facility is called ‘Ski Dubai’ (http://www.skidubai.ae/), it is 85 meters high (approximately 25 stories) and 80 meters wide, has 22,500m of real snow (equivalent to 3 football fields), and is a comfortable -1 to -2 C. The web site also told me it is open 10am until midnight seven days a week and ticket price includes use of winter clothing, plus ski and snowboard equipment.

The reason I know about this is because the Internet connects me with anyone, anywhere, anytime, even snow bunnies in Dubai.

Skype is easy to get started with. Download, register, install, plug in your headset, speakers or USB phone and start calling your friends. The calls have excellent sound quality and are highly secure with end-to-end encryption. You don’t even need to configure your firewall or router or any other networking gear. It just, you know… works. Try it now free!!

Four Minute Delay

Two crew on an interplanetary exploration craft discussing the feeling of being isolated from Earth, and finally deciding that a four minute delay means nothing when it comes to email.

Colonel James Black sat down across from the ship’s physician, hands folded in his lap. “Captain asked me to chat with you.” It was a bland statement, delivered in a monotone voice.
Major Jessica Stone sighed, “Let’s be honest. She asked you three days ago. Today she ordered you to stop avoiding me, so you finally made this appointment.”
“I haven’t been avoiding you.” Now he sounded irritated. “I told her that, too.”
At least irritation was an emotion. “Colonel, the ship’s longest axis is less than four hundred and forty meters, and there are only eight of us on it. It’s obvious when any one of the crew is avoiding the other seven. The rest of us are worried about you. Not only are you our friend, but you are the chief engineer. Our lives depend on you, until we get all the way to Mars and then back to Earth.”
“I’m fine.” His voice was flat again, and his face blank.
“There are ten million kilometers of hard vacuum between us and-.”
“More than thirty three million.” His correction was flat and automatic.
“Okay, Thirty three million. You keep talking about getting out and walking home.”
“That was just a joke.” He shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Well, jokes.”
“Do you regret having signed up for this?” She watched his face as she went on. “Is it the cramped conditions? The danger? The isolation?” She stopped, watching his eyes flick back and forth.
After a long silence he looked at her, “I knew it would be tough, being at the forefront. Boldly going, as it were.”
Jessica settled in her chair as Black stared at the back wall towards distant Earth. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to be out here, one of an elite crew. I’ve never had a problem with being inside. In fact, I’m vaguely nervous about open spaces, unless I’m in a plane.” He patted the nearest wall like a person stroking a faithful pet. “It is tough being isolated from my family, and all my friends back home.”
“Well, for the next few years this is home, and you have friends here.” She replied.  He stared at the wall, expressionless. She shifted in her seat. “Hey, we aren’t really out of contact. We have a permanent laser link.”
“Well yes, but it only goes at the speed of light.”
She shrugged. “So it takes nearly two minutes to travel the thirty million kilometers? Do you notice?”
“That is one hundred and twelve seconds each way. Plus, it gets a little longer every day, every hour, every… You can’t avoid noticing when talking to people back there. Three minutes and forty four seconds go by between me speaking and seeing them react and answer. Talking to anyone just makes me more aware that they are so very far away, getting further, every minute.”
Jessica smiled. “Have you stopped emailing your family and friends?”
“Yes.” He frowned. “Why?”
“That is my question. It usually takes at least half an hour to get a reply to an email. If it takes another four or five minutes, is anyone going to notice?”
“Well…” He looked confused. “But, I…”
“Personally, I’ve actually made some friends since we left. I found some email lists on topics that always interested me but which I never had time for. Now I have time to spare, and so do you.”
“Well, email lists aren’t friends, are they?”
“No.” Jessica nodded. “But I’ve found people on those lists I get on with, and so I’ve emailed them off-list. Started what could be long friendships, by the time we return to Earth.”
“They’re just pretending to be your friends because you’re famous.”
Jessica stared at Colonel Black. Did he look fearful? Did he worry his friends weren’t real and true? “You don’t have… I try to avoid telling them where I am. So far none of them know I’m even on the UN Exploration Ship to Mars.” She stared at the back wall. “Talking to them, about ordinary things, gives me another piece of normality. We need chunks of ordinary life during this crazy trip down a three hundred million kilometer rabbit hole.”
Colonel Black stared at her a moment, then smiled. Jessica tried to think when she’d last seen that rather unappealing grin. “Well, I used to be interested in Japanese history. Never had the time to really study it.  Until now, I guess.” Still smiling, he stood up. “But first, I should send my sister an email.” He gave her a curt nod and dashed out of the office.

Skype is easy to get started with. Download, register, install, plug in your headset, speakers or USB phone and start calling your friends. The calls have excellent sound quality and are highly secure with end-to-end encryption. You don’t even need to configure your firewall or router or any other networking gear. It just, you know… works. Try it now free!!

How to Become an Online Bargain Hunter

Online shopping is not only easier and more comfortable than driving to conventional stores, it also can offer great bargains. This article presents several resources and tips for online bargain shoppers.

Admit it, it is much nicer to shop online than to drive to a crowded mall, where you might or might not find what you were looking for. More and more consumers have discovered how easy and conventient it is to do shop in the comfort of one’s own home. Yet you may ask yourself what price you are paying - after all, many online stores charge shipping fees (or build them into the price). Are you paying too much for the convenience of online shopping?The solution is to become a savvy online bargain hunter. Follow these rules to increase your chance of getting a great deal:

1. Stay informed of great deals. These sites offer frequently updated information on online deals: http://www.techbargains.com, http://www.slickdeals.net, http://www.bensbargains.net, http://www.dealsofamerica.com, http://www.mybargainbuddy.com.

2. Always compare prices before you buy. Just because website “A” announces a sale doesn’t mean that it offers the lowest price. Websites such as http://www.pricegrabber.com and http://www.pricescan.com will give you detailed pricing information.

3. Compare apples to apples. Price comparison sites sometimes lump used and new articles, retail and OEM versions together. Make sure you are actually comparing identical items.

4. Read store reviews. Sites such as pricegrabber.com and shopping.com also include reviews about the online store, so that you can avoid a store that might be cheaper but has lots of customer complaints.

5. Read the fine print before you order. What shipping fees does the store charge? Are there any “handling fees” (a rather sneaky trick when combined with “free” shipping)? What are the store’s return policies?

6. Print out your order. After your confirmation page shows up, print out your order so that you have proof of what your ordered and at what price. Don’t rely on finding the data later on the website - the site could change any moment.

7. Concentrate on larger items. Getting a pack of CD-RWs for $2 less than at your local computer store might be nice, but it is hardly worth your time. Spend your time looking for bargains on higher-priced items - computers, electronics, cameras, etc.

8. Be wary of rebates. It is great to get an article cheaply or free after rebate, but look carefully at the conditions (original receipts vs. copies, etc) and deadlines, and try to find out if the company in question has a good reputation about honoring rebates in a timely fashion.

9. Be patient. Frantic, last-minute shopping rarely leads to bargains. If you know that you will purchase an item in the near future, do some price comparisons, read reviews, and wait for an online sale.

Skype is easy to get started with. Download, register, install, plug in your headset, speakers or USB phone and start calling your friends. The calls have excellent sound quality and are highly secure with end-to-end encryption. You don’t even need to configure your firewall or router or any other networking gear. It just, you know… works. Try it now free!!

Internet Business Development Products — What to Look For…

How much is a marketing product worth anyway? How much can you/should you expect to recoup? A guide to Business Development Products, some things to consider before your buy…

How much is a marketing product worth anyway? How much can you/should you expect to recoup? Logically it would have to be the cost of the product, then a multiple of your current earnings. Here’s an example; let’s say I own a marketing course valued at $200.00 it is from a reputable company with a good track record, I have looked through the material and it looks solid, I would recommend on that alone.

If I work through this course how much additional revenue can I expect to make? It has to be a multiple of my current earnings. If I have no subscriber list and make a dollar a day on AdSense it’s going to be a multiple of this. If I have 1,500 responsive subscribers on my mailing list and make $120.00 dollars a day selling 2 downloadable products, it’s going to be a multiple of this.

Starting your online business from scratch is different from rolling out improvements on an existing business. The scale and effectiveness of your existing business will determine how quickly you recoup, then multiply your investment.

What’s the time frame? Working your way through an 800 page manual will take longer than implementing a JavaScript pop-up to collect new subscriber details.

It is worth setting goals around your implementation of a product then checking your results. Let’s say you expect to work through and implement your marketing course in six weeks and are looking for a 50% net increase, check back, did you make it, did you over or under-estimate, did the product over or under-perform.

Play it again Sam

Some products or their methodologies can be rolled out more than once, some can’t, and it really depends on the nature of the product and your business. Using the marketing course as an example: if the online business is a start-up we might only be able to implement 50% of the material. If there is detailed instruction on how to increase and then utilise your subscriber list and you don’t currently have one, then clearly you can’t implement it. However, second and third time round, you may be implementing these strategies to greater effect.

In the case of the java pop-up example, it will still be a pop-up, nothing is going to change there, but we can split test it and see what is most effective. Change the headline – what happens? Change the body – what happens, change the font, image, each and every element, to see how it affects the results.

Overlooked resources

I subscribe to several free marketing ezines, some are daily, weekly, fortnightly, and some seem completely random. Much of the material is solid advice, but not all of it is acted upon, either due to time constraints or because I’m in “email mode” not creative thinking or business implementation mode.

I know for a fact there is some excellent free material buried deep down in my yahoo account. If this is you then don’t over look these resources. Make a commitment to search all the emails you subscribe to and print them out or collate them in a word document, put them in a ring binder, read through them highlight ideas that stand out.

Something that doesn’t relate right now, may relate down the road, it may be a crucial piece of information later on.

The Same or Different?

When it comes to business development products, there are basically two types:

1) The ones that make you the same as everybody else.

2) The ones that differentiate your business and help it mature, grow and reach its full potential.

Let’s look at the ones that make you the same… these for the most part are software programs that automatically generate web pages, articles, web sites, blogs – with a view to increasing visitors directly, or indirectly by increasing page rank through back-links to your site.

You will generally buy these products and enter your keyword and hey presto (or maybe after a considerable amount of work) your pages are there, just like the other 399 people who own the product and put in the same keyword, (because they get their keywords from the same place as you).

The vendors will often claim that once they reach x number of members or purchasers they will stop selling the product (”The Doors Will be Closed!”) thus the effectiveness of the product “is not diluted”.

Even if this is true, which may be the case, 399 other people creating the exact same pages or articles as you are, more competition than you need.  On top of this, many of these products suffer from latent redundancy due to the ever-increasing sophistication of search engines.

A recent example of this is changes at Blogger, which have made several blog spawning programs completely redundant.

Search engines are now using human beings to review pages – you may get your page past a Google bot, but it will take a human being approximately 2 seconds to spot autogenerated content – your site will be dropped from the index like a piece of hot lead on fire. These products may work for a time, and may make you some decent money, but if you want to keep looking over your shoulder or stress ever so slightly each time you log into your AdSense account you might want to rethink.

Interesting that the developers of these products even sell them, maybe THEIR AdSense account is too precious, or they have burnt out the true value of software from their own over use, who can say?

The other type of product is usually a “how to” or info material product or customer facing software.  These are usually marketing related and may focus on areas such as product development, customer retention, copy writing or generating and increasing sales. Software might include collecting and managing opt-ins for email marketing or programs for creating secure eBooks.

What they have in common is they help you do more of what you do, they are usually strategic in nature, the software products usually automate some routine but necessary task.

Please don’t get me wrong, I am not moralizing either way, I’m just looking at it from the point of view of someone that wants a sustainable business that is profitable for the long-term and can be built upon.

It is at the end of the day your call.

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