1) Find out what you really need/want your website to do and write it down.
Do you want to host a WordPress blog or an ecommerce website? A personal website to put photos on or something to promote a business? Most webhosts offer different plans to suit different website types. Be clear on this as it will enable you to focus on the hosting plans that are relevant to you.
2) What features do I really need?
Most webhosts offer free email addresses or free site builders which are great, if it suits what you need, but do you really need 100 email addresses or 999 page website? If you are not technically minded a site builder such as website tonight from GoDaddy could be really what you are looking for.
3) Look for good uptime statistics.
It could be great that you bought cheap web hosting, but if your site suffers a lot of downtime then you could lose customers if you are a business. 99% uptime sounds quite good but it isn't really good enough. For example
99% - Downtime is 3 days, 15 hours, 36 minutes
99.9% - Downtime is 8 hours, 45 minutes, 36 seconds
99.99% - Downtime is 52 minutes, 33 seconds
99.999% - Downtime is 5 minutes, 15 seconds
4) How much space and bandwidth do I need?
How long is a piece of string. It depends what you want to do. If you want users to be able to download products or even just your website and you are expect a lot of traffic (visitors) then the more bandwidth you can get, the better or faster your site will load or transfer data. If you are hosting a personal website for family and friends a basic package should suit your needs. 1GB should be more than enough. Remember paying for more than you need is just wasting money, but don't underestimate as you could be charged additional fees if you go over your bandwidth limit.
5) Get one product at a time.
It's easy to get carried away when you are starting your website. The webhost company will probably bombard you with upgrades, free products if you buy more etc. Just stick to what you decided at the outset.
6) Look for a host you can grow with.
Check your web host allows you to upgrade you plan as your website or business grows. It could be a lot of hassle if you have spent weeks developing a site on some free sitebuilding software, but the host doesn't offer the ability to upgrade your hosting requirements. You would then be left in the situation of starting again and have to find another host for a website that would better meet your needs.
7) How good is the support?
Never accept anything less than 24/7 support by email and phone. This is critical, if your site goes down or something isn't working as it should, you may need help and you will want that problem resolved quickly.
8 ) Keep your contracts short.
You don't want to be tied in for 5 years or more unless you really trust your web host. You may want to move or the web host could go bust. If this is the case you could lose a lot of money. Keep your contracts as short as possible and don't pay too far in advance.

Who are you going to call?
Professional advisors are the experts a business owner or manager will call to help them solve a difficult or new problem. Instead of trying to find the right answers yourself, it is easier, and often wiser, to phone a business advisor to get the benefit of all their years of experience solving problems for a wide range of organisations.
What the advisor will do for you
If you have selected the right advisor that has the right combination of industry experience and professional qualifications the advisor will be able to quickly;

• Review your current business situation
• Advise on any immediate actions that need to be taken to prevent or reduce more damage
• Determine a range of suitable options to solve your problem
• Inform you of the outcomes, positive and negative, of each option
• Let you make your own decision
• Then provide support to implement the selected option

Why it is a great idea to know an advisor
Imagine how long you would need to spend in training courses and working in the industry to build the knowledge your business advisor has gained from their years of practical experience.
The advisor needs to stay industry and professionally current by watching all the news and events of their chosen fields, while you spend that time running your business instead.
Like a mechanic, you only need to pay them to fix a problem, and not an annual wage waiting for something to fix.
Choosing the right advisor
There are many people claiming the professional advisor title and it can be difficult to know if they are able to solve your problems. Here are some things to help you select the suitable advisor;

• Ask for specific experiences in similar businesses and organisations like yours.
• Find out how they stay current with industry changes
• Do they hold the relevant formal qualifications to match your current problems
• Can they explain your situation and options in plain english
• Ask for the three latest references they have serviced and contact them all to check the advisors professional behaviour and methods.

One important last word on advisors
You need to trust the advisor as you will be discussing your business performance and confidential data in the hopes that you can fix the problem, not create a new problem.
If you are relying on the advisor to help fix your organisation and follow their recommendations it could be expensive if they are wrong or provide poor advice that causes damage to your business.
Ensure that they hold all the relevant insurances and membership to professional associations required in the country or state you operate in.
In Australia, we use professional indemnity insurance of at least $1 million coverage to reduce the impact of poor advice.

Information supplied by Paul Baker
Over twenty years of business development & change management strategies successfully used in National organisations across Australia. The focus is on continuous improvement of business systems to stimulate growth through our principles of Initiate, Inspire, Innovate.
Customer-centric focus using our extensive experience in consumer behaviour and business process operations to find ways to help business owners manage their organisations.

You probably know someone with back pain. It affects almost everybody at some time during their lifetime. Back pain may be minor for some, but extremely painful and chronic for others. It causes some people to wince as they go and makes it difficult to walk or bend normally. It may even make it difficult to balance. It is often the cause of missed days at work and restricts people's ability to enjoy the normal activities of daily life such as gardening or playing sports. Some people won't go anywhere without their pills.
They continuously take pills to help minimize the pain.
People often blame their back pain on their age, job, stress levels or weight. If this were true, why aren't all people in these categories suffering with back pain. Many people that are stressed, overweight or aged don't have any back pain at all. This just doesn't make sense. There are other causes of back pain.
There are various structures that make up the back that may be injured resulting in back pain. These structures include bones, muscles, ligaments, joints and nerves. All of these structures are in close proximity or are attached to the spine. This makes injury to the spine one of the most common causes of back pain. Misaligned spinal bones may result in tight muscles, irritated nerves, damaged ligaments or even injury to the cushions or discs between the spinal bones. Medical tests often come up negative and misaligned spinal bones remain undetected.
Common causes of misaligned spinal bones include bad posture, trauma such as from an auto accident, sporting injuries or even the birthing process. The most common medical treatment for back pain is pain medication which often doesn't correct the problem. It may help relieve the pain, but the problem remains. The bones remain misaligned and the nerves are still compressed and irritated. The muscles may continue to be tight and the problem continues into a vicious cycle.
Chiropractic physicians are specially trained to help correct back problems. They are well trained to detect and correct misaligned spinal bones. They also perform physiotherapy modalities to help heal injured soft tissue and reduce inflammation that is commonly associated with misaligned spinal bones. By correcting the misaligned spinal bones, the muscles are then able to relax and inflammation is reduced. Normal range of motion of the joints is restored.
People often report an immediate sense of relief after a chiropractic treatment. Modern techniques allow for a more gentle approach that doesn't involve twisting and racking the spine. The treatments are gentle and effective in correcting the misaligned spinal bones. They are effective in restoring normal function of the spine and removing the cause of the problem.

- Nathan Leavitt DC
Dr. Leavitt has been a licensed chiropractic physician since 2003. His deepest commitment is to help improve the health and quality of life of others.

People interested in making a living from the internet have probably heard of article marketing. Simply put, articles marketing is a technique where a person writes up specific information about a product, service or individual and then publishes it on specific sites referred to as article submission sites. Some of the main uses for article marketing include:
1. Search engine optimization
This is where one tries to get more visitors to a website and higher search engine rankings by getting links from high traffic websites. For instance, an owner of a pet food website will write up related articles and submit them to sites like EzineArticles with a back link to the home site. People interested in getting more information will visit the linked website. Over time, the site will start getting high quality visitors and therefore conversions.
2. Business branding
Article marketing is one of the most effective ways for a business to publicize its brand. All the business owners need to do is write up a lot of useful information geared towards creation of curiosity about business activities, products, opportunities etc. in readers' minds. Depending on the quality of the articles and writing style, readers will forward them to their networks. This therefore causes the business brand and activities to be etched in the minds of many people. Over time, a company will be able to build a very good reputation by controlling the outflow of information to potential and current clients.
3. Affiliate marketing
Articles on marketing are one of the easiest tools to use in affiliate marketing. An online marketer will write up articles geared towards enticing a reader to perform a predestined action e.g. submit an email address, making a purchase etc. The marketer will either get a percentage of the sale or the entire amount depending on who the owner of the product is. The greatest advantage of using articles marketing for affiliate marketing endeavors is that a person does not need to have a high traffic site in order to generate leads. All he has to is balance quality and a sales pitch in order to get quality leads.
4. Educational purposes
The internet is one of the best places to get useful and updated information on virtually any topic. You can therefore use articles marketing to provide people with information, either for free or for a small sum. This is one of the ways authors use to market their books to the general public i.e. by writing short blurbs about the contents of a given book with the intention of increasing sales and readership. Educational articles on marketing tend to have very high conversion rates because they are directed towards specific niches e.g. nanotechnology, java programming etc.
5. Self promotion
Articles marketing can be used by people that want to make themselves known to the general public. For instance, a motivational speaker can have articles written on him and submitted to high traffic sites with the intention of getting more speaking engagements. This is usually more effective than using other media outlets like magazines.
In a nutshell, article marketing is one of the more effective ways of getting started in online marketing because very little technological expertise is required.

There are many strategies to making money on the internet, but nothing makes sense unless you have a big list. Email Marketing is the most profitable way to make money on the internet. When you build a list of hot and hungry prospects you control your future. Discover how to use the internet and turn your computer into a cash gushing machine. Sign-up right now for Matt Bacak 's FREE online newsletter to find out how to do exactly that - Go here: http://www.promotingtips.com

With so many companies trying to build their online presence, your business needs to find a way to stand out from the crowd. Not only so you can gain your prospect's attention but you also have to prove that you're a legitimate company.
Most online prospects are skeptical as they've either heard or experienced firsthand how easy it is for a company to look authentic but ended up being disappointed. They also need assurance that whomever they do business with is not only a real company but that they are also going to deliver on their promises.
So how do you build credibility to prospective customers, especially when you're an online business?
You tell them a great, compelling story about your products or services.
By providing your customers with a case study, you tell them a story by showing them how your product or service specifically helped one of your customers solve a problem. It takes your prospects step-by-step through the process of what problem your customer was faced with, why it was crucial for them to find a solution, why they contacted you specifically, what your product or service did for them, and what the overall outcome was.
In addition, quotes from your customer as well as yourself will add verification and personality to the case study and will explain how the whole process worked and where things stand now. This gives your prospects a detailed account in your customer's own voice of how you helped them improve their business by solving a difficult problem.
Once you've prepared the case study, you'll want to provide it to prospects as soon as possible. You can use it as part of a lead generation campaign and offer it as a free download on your website but make sure to collect contact information so you can follow-up with them later. The best way to do this is through an opt-in box on your site.
You may also want to distribute it to existing customers, especially those who haven't bought from you in a while. It will remind them of your company, show them you're a respectable business that cares about helping its customers, and you give them the opportunity to share it with others in their network.
Everyone loves a good story. Tell a compelling and interesting one that prospects will remember and soon you'll be known as a respectable company that cares about the success of its clients.

Monique Poche is a copywriter specializing in the info-marketing industry. You can check out her website at Info-Marketing Copywriter where she provides information and tips on her case study writing services, and much more.

Under the hot summer sun, keeping kids hydrated turns into a parent's number one priority. According to Parents magazine, children become dehydrated much more quickly than adults. They lose water through sweat and their bodies produce more heat. They're more interested in having fun and running around so paying attention to keep kids cool and well hydrated is important. Here are 6 easy tips you (and they!) will appreciate:
1. Always Bring Water - Fill up reusable water bottles before you head out on a day trip or head out to the park to play. You may be able to buy water at the park or find a water fountain, but you never know. It's best to be prepared.
2. Avoid Going Outside During the Hottest Times of the Day - If you want to take your kids out to the park, try to do so in morning or in the early evening, after things have cooled down slightly. From late morning to early evening, the chances are much higher that the kids will become dehydrated.
3. Schedule Regular Water Breaks - According to Kids Health, the average child needs a drink of water every 20 minutes when she is exercising or playing a sport. A child should drink between 5 and 9 ounces each break, depending on her age. Have your child take a drink even if she claims she is not thirsty.
4. Add Some Flavor - Some kids think water tastes great on its own. Others like a fruity flavor in their beverage. You can add a slice of lemon or lime to the water for a hint of flavor. Other options are to serve fruit juice diluted with water so the kids get the flavor without having to worry about all those calories. During sports and other strenuous activity, it's fine to give your child sports drinks to keep her hydrated.
5. Skip the Caffeine - While soda and iced tea technically keep your kids hydrated, both often contain caffeine, which can make dehydration worse. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it causes the body to lose water. Another drawback is that it can also mask dehydration symptoms.
6. Think of Fruit - Some fruits and vegetables have a high water content and help to keep your kids hydrated. If they're not interested in water, have them eat fruits such as cantaloupe, oranges or watermelon instead. Watermelon, for example, has a water content of over 90 percent.
Finding ways to make sure keeping kids hydrated this summer doesn't have to be challenging. Get your kids used to drinking water regularly and you may soon find that you do not need to remind them that it's time to take a drink.

Several times lately I have met with parents who are hurt and angered by the things their children have said in anger. It makes sense that they are hurt. These are parents of "quirky kids" who get set off easily. Once your child is angry, she stops using her pre-frontal cortex to exercise judgment about what she says. Parents report remarks like, "You're the worst Mom ever." "I know you hate me." "Go ahead, kill me now."
As children get older their insults might hit closer to home. When you remind her not to eat too much just before dinner, she might get angry and comment on your weight, or your love life. When the barbs are really personal, it sounds quite silly for a child psychologist to say, "Don't take it personally."
What can I be thinking when I recommend this? Have I never been on the receiving end of such insults? Actually, I have, and I admit that I did not always comport myself honorably in this situation. I speak with the experience of a child psychologist and a parent who has tried it both ways.
When I say, "Don't take it personally," I mean remember that you are dealing with someone who is still learning how to cope with disappointment, frustration, intense emotions, simple changes in routine, to name a few. Think of the insults as a poor strategy for working out differences. This might help you feel some distance when the insults fly.
If you can observe the situation with some distance, it is likely that you can respond in a way that is helpful to your child. When you take these remarks personally, you are likely to respond out of your own hurt emotion. Then you have two individuals who are not using their frontal cortices. This is a recipe for disaster.
Suppose that your own feeling thermometer is rising, and you know you don't have the necessary distance to keep your cool. In that case, I recommend a time out for parents. I don't mean a punishment, but a break to restore your cool. You can say, "I can't talk to you now. I'll get back to you." When you have calmed down, it is likely that your child has also calmed down.
Say you are calm in the face of the storm, what do you do? It is not helpful for even a calm minded parent to try to reason with a child who is hurling threats and insults. You don't have a reasonable person to work with at that point. Again you can say, "I can't talk to you now. I'll get back to you." I realize that many children are very adept at continuing an argument, and walking away from someone who is provoking you can be very difficult. In addition, your child might follow you. More on this later.
When the dust has settled, you can get back to your child and try to work things out. When you try to work things out, address the issue that started the blow-up. This might surprise you. Why not address the foul language first? Here I am drawing on the wisdom of Ross Greene and Stuart Ablon in their book, Treating Explosive Kids. The idea is that if you can work out the triggering issue, you probably won't have the blow-ups. You teach your child how to work out problems with you. The insults and the foul language are symptoms of your child's undeveloped skills.
You certainly can also work out the fact that you do not want to be called names when you set a limit or change plans. You put your concern on the table and ask your child to put his on the table as well. But the explosive behavior is really only the surface noise of the problem.
Now a few words about some of the extreme things that children say in these situations. Some children will make threats about safety. They might say, "I just want to die," or "If you do this to me I'll run away." You should be concerned when you hear this. Perhaps these are idle threats, but perhaps not. So, later when things are calm, ask in a concerned manner about whether your child really wants to die or really has plans to leave. If you are not working with a therapist, this would be a good time to engage one to help you assess your situation for safety.
A less concerning but very aggravating problem happens when you try to disengage from an argument and your child won't let you. I encourage you to go to another room and even lock yourself in the bathroom if you need to. As long as you deem it safe, you could go outside. During this time before you child has regained composure, avoid re-entering the argument. Remind him a couple of times that you will talk when you are both calm. He might need some suggestions on how to calm down, but he is unlikely to want them at this point. This I another topic to discuss later.
So, when I say, "Don't take it personally," I mean, "Remember that you are dealing with someone who hasn't developed good coping skills." You can help your child learn ways to work out differences with others. The good news is that your child can learn these skills if you can maintain some distance and control.