Choosing a Domain Name

From our friends at Yahoo

What makes a good domain name? A good domain name should be easy to remember, easy to spell, and preferably short. The name of your company is always a good choice. If your desired domain name is already taken, you can search if the .net or .org variation is available. You may also use hyphens to create unique domain names.

What characters are allowed?
.Com, .net, and .org domain names must meet these requirements: They cannot exceed 67 characters, including the characters in the suffix (63 characters plus the 4 character .xyz). Only letters, numbers, or hyphens are permitted. A domain name may not begin or end with a hyphen. They are part of the regulatory standards that .com, .net and .org domain names must follow.

What's the difference between http://yahoo.com and http://www.yahoo.com?
Not a lot. You can advertise whichever one you like the best.

Do I need to put the http:// on?
Probably not. Most web sites just advertise www.widgetdesigns.com. The www. is a good enough clue to people that it's a web address, so you don't need to say it. All popular browsers let you simply type www.widgetdesigns.com into the URL window.

Should I get a lot of domain names?
You may register and own an unlimited number of domain names. In addition to .com, many people register the .net and .org variations of their primary domain name. Each domain name costs $35.00 per year. If you already own a domain name, you can transfer it for $10.00 per year.

Who owns the domain name I register?
If you register a domain name through Yahoo! Store, you may designate the Registrant (owner) and Administrator. Yahoo! is only listed as the technical contact and nameservers. As the Registrant, you have final authority and responsibility regarding the use of your domain name.

What is the public domain name database?
A public domain name database (also known as Whois) contains contact information for all domain names. There are many registrars that register .com, .net and, .org domain names. Each of these registrars maintain their own public domain. The personal contact information you provide as the Registrant and Administrative contact is used to register your domain name. As required by the Internet's governing organization (ICANN), this information will be made publicly available. Records of all domain names registered by the registrar, Internet Names Worldwide, are maintained in their public domain domain database. The information includes Registrant, Administrator, technical contact, and nameserver information as well as record creation, update, and expiration dates. This information is available through many publicly accessible interfaces. You'll find a list of whois resources in Yahoo!'s directory.

How do I update my contact information in the public domain database?
The personal information you provided in your order was used to register your domain name. As required by ICANN, the Internet governance organization, this information was made publicly available.

What is the difference between .com, .net, and .org domain names?
Originally, the three letter suffix after the dot in domain names indicates whether the domain name was used for commercial (.COM), network (.NET), or non-profit (.ORG) purposes.Although there are guidelines, anyone may register these regardless of the intended use..Net and .org suffixes are good alternatives if the domain names you want in .com is already taken.

Tips for Online Auction Sellers - Advertising Your Product

There are millions of products for sale at online auctions and many less that actually sell. Filling in all the necessary blanks when presenting your item for auction will help insure you sell it quickly and at the price you want.

Carefully Prepare the Item Description: A full and accurate description of your item or service is important and will help prevent problems after the sale. Include whether the item is new, used or reconditioned, and note any flaws the item may contain.

Think Like a Buyer: When writing your description, think like a buyer by anticipating possible buyer questions and including the answers in your advertisement. This will help cut down on your time in answering emails about your item and also help prevent anxious buyers from clicking elsewhere because you lack the information they want immediately.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Seeing is believing especially with Internet auctions. When possible, include a photograph of the item and include pictures of anything which helps identify the authenticity of the product.

List the Minimum Bid You Are Willing to Accept.: When setting the minimum bid for your item, choose the lowest price which is fair and which you are willing to accept. Compare prices other sellers are listing for minimum bids on items similar to yours. You want to be competitive and fair. Also, post the types of payment you accept.

Set Your Shipping Terms: Include shipping information, such as - who pays for shipping, shipping costs, insurance policy and costs and where you are willing to ship, i.e. international shipping. Also include if the item is available only for pick up.

Post Your Return Policy: Decide on your return policy and include the information in your description. This should include details on who pays for shipping costs if the item is returned, if there is a restocking fee, and the length of time the buyer has to request a return. A "no return" policy should be clearly posted.

Service After the Sale: Include service information to the bidders. If you do not provide service for the item, say where the bidder can go to get it.

Keep It Simple: Keeping your description short and to the point will enable the buyers to know, at a glance, if they are interested in what you are selling. Most people want to be able to scan a page for the information and lose interest if something is too wordy.

Good Seller Etiquette:

• Respond quickly to a bidders questions.
• Keeps printed copies of all email exchanges with the bidders.
• When the auction closes, print all the information about the transaction, making a note of the buyer's identification, the description of the item and the time, date and price of the bid.
• After the auction closes, contact the winning bidder immediately and confirm the final terms of the sale. This includes the final cost, shipping chargers and where to send the payment.

Similar Page Checker

Search Engines are known to act upon websites that contain Duplicate / Similar content.
Your content could be similar to other websites on the Internet, or pages from within your own website could be similar to each other (usually the case with dynamic product catalog pages)

This tool allows you to determine the percentage of similarity between two pages.

The exact percentage of similarity after with a search engine may penalize you is not known, it varies from search engine to search engine, Your aim should be to keep your page similarity as LOW as possible.

Duplicate Content Filter
This article will help you understand why you might be caught in the filter, and ways to avoid it.

http://www.webconfs.com/similar-page-checker.php

What Are Those Orange RSS or XML Buttons?

What Are Those Orange RSS or XML Buttons?

More than likely you have seen these strange looking orange buttons on countless websites and wondered what the heck they were used for? These buttons link to an RSS file that syndicates and updates content on websites. Applications use these files to notifly you when new content is created or updated.

What is RSS?RSS is a syndication standard that websites use to syndicate their content. The original acronym stood for 'Rich Site Summary'. However, that meaning has now been replaced by the major benefit of RSS which is 'Really Simple Syndication'. Most people today refer to RSS by this meaning.

RSS is just basic hypertext code like xml or html. It was first introduced by Dave Winer from http://www.userland.com/ and the Scripting News.

RSS Feeds were first used mainly by news organizations to syndicate their content. Nowadays, RSS is usually associated with blogs or blogging because Blogs use RSS Feeds to mass circulate their content. Usually, an RSS Feed will consist of Headlines and Snippets of information with links linking back to a blog or website. Some RSS Feeds contain the full body of content.
Once you are subscribed to an RSS Feed, you will be automatically updated as new information comes online. It's a very practical and convenient way to stay informed on all your different areas of interest.
How Do I Use RSS?In order to access an RSS Feed you will need an RSS Feed reader or aggregator. Some common onesare Feedemon, Newsgator...

Another popular way to access and read RSS Feeds is through sites like MyYahoo or MyMSN. Just press the MyYahoo button and you will be automatically subscribed to that site. Some browsers now come with an RSS feature or function - such as the increasingly popular Mozilla Firefox Browser. It has a 'live bookmark' feature that will keep you up to date on all your bookmarked sites. Microsoft said in its Longhorn statement - the next version of Windows will have RSS. Webmasters should make sure their website is ready for RSS before this happens! More Information On RSS...
To get more information you can click here: RSS Tutorial or you can download this simple RSS and Blog Guide. In addition, Ken Evoy of SiteBuildIt fame, has written an excellent guide to RSS - you can find it Here.
Webmasters may copy this page without permission onto their own sites, as longas this page is presented in its entirety - including all links. Or you can link directlyto this URL if that is more convenient. Either way -

Make your site RSS User-Friendly!
Just copy the HTML code below onto a page on your site. Place a link entitled 'What Is This?' next to your Orange RSS or XML botton and link it to this page. Your visitors will thank you!

To copy, 'right click' and press 'select all' in the table below - then copy the highlighted HTML code onto a webpage on your site. Faster way, just 'right click', press 'view source' - then save and upload to your site.
http://www.bizwaremagic.com/ © Copyright - 2005 All Rights Reserved.

Year-End Tax Tips for Online Sellers

Year-End Tax Tips for Online Sellers
By Barbara Weltman
Auction Bytes.com
October 23, 2005

How has 2005 been for your online business? Good? Bad? The answer to this question will determine the steps to take before the end of the year in order to minimize tax on your profits or make the best use of your losses.

If You've Had a Good Year If you've had a good year, take advantage of every deduction in order to reduce the profits you'll pay taxes on. Consider:

Buying new equipment (e.g., a computer, office furniture). You can position yourself to do more business next year while deducting the cost of the equipment up to $105,000 if you put it to use before the end of this year. Bonus: If you're short on cash, you can finance the purchase (e.g., charge it on a credit card); the deduction applies no matter how you pay for the item or items.

Deducting your business travel expenses. If you use your personal car to go to the Post Office to mail out the items you've sold or to pick up inventory at vendors, yard sales or other places, you can deduct the cost of this car use. You can write off your actual costs, including the gas you've put into your tank for business driving, or use an IRS-set standard mileage rate. This rate is 48.5 cents per mile for driving from September 1, 2005, through the end of the year; it was 40.5 cents for driving earlier in the year. For details on deducting car expenses, see IRS

Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses, at (http://www.irs.gov/).
Stocking up on supplies. Buy what you think you'll need in the coming year for packing materials and other supplies in order to deduct the cost now.

Setting up a retirement plan. Even if your eBay business is a sideline and you are already covered by an employer's retirement plan, you can still fund a retirement plan with your eBay profits. The money you put into the plan can grow tax-deferred for use in later years, avoiding current tax on those contributions. For details on your retirement plan options, see IRS

Publication 560, Retirement Plans for Small Business.
If You've Had a Bad Year If you've spent more money that you earned in profits, you probably have a tax loss for the year. To make the best of a bad situation, consider:
Adjusting your estimated taxes. If, for example, you are self-employed and have been paying estimated taxes for your business, you can reduce your payment for the fourth quarter of 2005, due on January 17, 2006. This will give you more cash to run your business.

Planning to use your loss. If you expect to have a net operating loss from your business in 2005, prepare to file for a quick refund produced by a carryback. You can apply the loss to 2003 and possibly 2004, generating a refund of taxes paid in those years. Individuals file IRS Form 1045, Application for Tentative Refund, to receive a check from the government, usually within 90 days - but you must file your 2005 income tax return before you file for the quick refund. Alternatively, you can file amended returns for those years on IRS Form 1040X.

If you did have a bad year, it's important to make sure to understand the reason for the loss so that you can correct any problems and, hopefully, become profitable in 2006. For example, maybe you're selling your items too cheaply and need to raise prices. Maybe you're paying too much for your inventory items and should become a better buyer.

Improve your recordkeeping systems. Whether business is good or bad, it is vital that you keep good books and records in order to optimize tax write-offs. For example, track your inventory carefully so that you pay tax only on your profits (the difference between the sales proceeds and what you paid for an item) and not on the full sales proceeds. Keep a log of your business driving so you can deduct all of your mileage costs.

Editor's Note: Consult with your accountant or tax advisor to ensure you make the right decisions for your unique situation, and visit the IRS website at (http://www.irs.gov/). About the author: Barbara Weltman is a nationally recognized tax and small business tax expert. Her popular newsletter, "Big Ideas for Small Business ®," is available without charge via http://www.barbaraweltman.com/newsletter. She is the author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting an eBay Business" and her newest book is "J.K. Lasser's Small Business Taxes 2007: Your Complete Guide to a Better Bottom Line."

Tips for the beginning auction seller

Understand how the auction works. Many online auctions simply list
items that people want to sell. They don’t verify that the
merchandise actually exists or that it is described accurately, and
they can’t guaranty that the sellers will keep their
promises.

Check out the seller before you bid. Some auction sites have feedback
forums with comments about the sellers based on other
people’s experiences. Be aware that positive reports may have
been “planted” by the seller and negative comments
could be from a competitor. Other sources of information are state or
local consumer protection agencies and the Better Business Bureau.
Negative information is a good warning sign, but a clean complaint
record doesn’t guarantee that your transaction will go
smoothly.

Be careful if the seller is a private individual. Many consumer
protection laws don’t apply to private sales, though
government agencies may take action if there are many complaints the
same individual or criminal fraud is involved.

Be especially cautious when dealing with sellers in other countries. If
you have a problem, the physical distance, difference in legal systems,
and other factors could make resolving it very difficult.

Beware of “shills.” The seller may try to raise the
price artificially by making bids under fictitious names or recruiting
other people to make bids. Using bogus bidders is illegal and a
violation of online auction policies.

Get the name and contact information of the seller. The name, physical
street address, email address, and phone number are helpful to have for
checking the seller out and following up later if there is a problem.
Don’t do business with anyone who refuses to provide that
information.

Be wary of claims about collectibles and other expensive items. Since
you can’t examine the merchandise or have it appraised until
after the sale, don’t assume that claims about its condition
or value are true, or that photographs are accurate. Print out and save
the description and any photos to document the claims that were made.

Ask about delivery, returns, warranties and service before you pay. Get
a definite delivery time and insist that the shipment is insured. Ask
about the return policy. If you’re buying electronic goods or
appliances, find out if there is a warranty and how to get service.

Look for information on the auction site about insurance. Some auction
sites provide insurance that covers buyers up to a certain amount if
something goes wrong. Others may have links to third-party programs
that offer insurance for a fee. Read the terms of the insurance
carefully. There is often a deductible, and there be other limitations
or requirements that apply. For example, you may not be covered if the
seller had a negative feedback rating on the auction site at the time
of the transaction.

Pay by credit card. Under federal law, you can dispute the charges if
you paid the seller with a credit card and the goods were never
delivered or if they were misrepresented. If you are paying through an
intermediary service, ask what happens in the case of disputes.

Look for bonded sellers. Some sellers are bonded through programs that
have investigated their business backgrounds and credit histories and
guaranty your money back if they don’t fulfill their
promises. Click on the program symbol to learn how the bonding program
works and verify that the seller is a member in good standing.

Consider using an escrow service for expensive purchases that
aren’t covered by insurance or bonding. For a small fee, an
escrow service takes your payment and forwards it to the seller once
you confirm satisfactory delivery. If there is a dispute, the
escrow service may act as a referee. Ask if the service is
licensed and bonded, and how you can confirm that with the appropriate
agency.

Try mediation to resolve disputes. Not all problems are due to fraud.
Sometimes people simply fail to hold up their side of the bargain in a
timely manner or there may be a misunderstanding about something. Some
auction sites provide links to third-party mediation services that help
people resolve disputes. There may be a small fee that is usually paid
by the party who requests the mediation.

Inform auction sites about suspected fraud. They may have policies to
remove sellers from their sites if they use
“shills” or don’t live up to their
obligations.

Tips for Online Sellers

Some good information for the seller.

Tips For Online Sellers
Under federal law, you're required to advertise your product or service and the terms of the sale honestly and accurately...

Know Your Legal Obligations

Under federal law, you're required to advertise your product or service and the terms of the sale honestly and accurately. You can't place "shill" bids on your item to boost the price or offer false testimonials about yourself in the comment section of Internet auction sites.

You're prohibited from auctioning illegal goods. While many auction sites monitor their sites to ensure that illegal items are not being offered, the responsibility for ensuring that a sale is legal rests with the seller and buyer. Some auction sites post a list of prohibited items as a guide.

You are required to ship merchandise within the time frame specified during the auction, or, if a time frame is not specified, within 30 days. If you can't meet the shipping commitment, you must give the buyer an opportunity to cancel the order for a full refund or agree to the new shipping date. To learn more about your responsibilities when shipping products, see A Business Guide to the Federal Trade Commission's Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule.

Advertising Your Product
When describing your item and its condition, state whether it's new, used or reconditioned.

Anticipate questions buyers might have and address them in the description of your item or service.

When possible, include a photograph of the item. The saying that a picture is worth a thousand words is especially relevant in Internet auctions.
Specify the minimum bid at the lowest fair price you're willing to accept.
Specify who will pay for shipping, and note whether you'll ship internationally.

State your return policy, including who's responsible for paying for shipping costs or restocking fees if the item is returned.

Let prospective bidders know whether you provide follow-up service; if you don't, tell them where they can get it.

Dealing with Bidders

Respond as quickly as possible to bidders' questions about the item you're auctioning or the sales terms.

When the auction closes, print all information about the transaction, including the buyer's identification; a description of the item; and the date, time and price of the bid. Save a copy of every email you send and receive from the auction site or the successful bidder.

Contact the "winning" bidder as soon after the auction closes as possible; confirm the final cost, including shipping charges, and tell the buyer where to send payment.
Arranging for Payment

If you accept credit card payments from the buyer directly, bill the credit card account only once you've shipped the product.

If a buyer insists on using a particular escrow or online payment service that you've never heard of, check it out. Visit its Web site. Be suspicious of claims about being affiliated with a government agency. Call the customer service line. If there isn't one, or if you call and can't reach someone, don't use the service.

Before agreeing to use an online payment or escrow service, read the terms of agreement:

If it's an online payment service, find out who pays for credit card charge backs or transaction reversal requests if the buyer seeks them.

Examine the service's privacy policy and security measures. Never disclose financial or personal information unless you know why it's being collected, how it will be used, and how it will be safeguarded.

Be suspicious of an online escrow service that cannot process its own transactions and requires you to set up accounts with online payment services. Legitimate escrow services never do this.

Check with the Better Business Bureau, state attorney general or consumer protection agency — where you live and where the online payment or escrow service is based — to see whether there are any unresolved complaints against the service. Be mindful that a lack of complaints doesn't necessarily mean that the service has no problems.

Source: ftc.gov

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