Accounting and Bookkeeping Articles

6 Ways to Update Your Website and Gain Appeal

A website can be a valuable promotional tool, enabling you to broadcast information about your business even when your office is closed.  These days, with technology advancing at breakneck speeds, it’s important that your professional website be competitive and drive more prospective clients your way.  But how do you do that?  Here are six easy guidelines to improve your website so that it generates more return visits and, consequently, prospective clients.

1. Watch the numbers

There are many companies willing to provide you with traffic reports that let you know how many visitors you have and which pages they visited.  In this, your visitors will let you know which areas of your website are most appealing and should be accentuated in order to capitalize on user interest.

2. Make key information easily accessible

While most visitors will probably land on your website because you gave them your URL or they performed an internet search on local accountants and/or bookkeepers, there will be some who will immediately want to know who you are and what you do.  This information should be easy to access from your homepage.  Also be sure to include easy-to-find contact information.  Your website’s ultimate objective is to enable people to retain your services.  They can’t do that unless they know who you are and how to contact you.

3. Turn your site into a magnet

The most important thing about your website is that it attracts returning visitors.  And visitors will continually return if they find valuable content on your website.  If you provide bookkeeping tips for the small business owner, you’ll find they use your site as a reference and perhaps even bookmark it.  And when they need accounting help, who do you think they’ll go to?  You, of course!

Promotional offers also generate return visitors.  By offering a web promotion, you give them reason to bookmark your site and return when they’re ready to enlist your help.

4. Simplify the design

How do you respond to Power Point Presentations with neon text, flashing graphics, and nifty rollover effects?  It may be hypnotic at first, but can quickly become distracting.  While you want your site to be visually appealing, you need to remember that your content is on display, not the clever programming.  When in doubt, simplify the design, focusing on the professional image you want to project.

5. Standardize all the screens

Related to simplifying the design of your website, ensure that all your screens are standardized with a singular navigation system and a means of returning to your homepage with one simple click.

6. Use testimonials

Let your satisfied customers do some marketing for you.  Testimonials go a long way in creating a lasting impression on prospective clients.  They are memorable, versatile, reusable, and give you a competitive edge, not to mention that they build your credibility as an accountant.  Every time a client compliments you on your services request a testimonial that you can add to your website and other promotional materials.  These would work great on a screen that focuses on the true value of your service offerings.

Universal Accounting Center Can Help You Create a Custom Website for Your Practice

Imagine how difficult it would be to create your own website that can accomplish all the suggestions noted above.  Now imagine that UAC can manage that process for you, enabling you to create a strong web presence without expending much energy.  Universal Accounting Center (UAC) offers you Accountweb, a website development tool, available exclusively for financial professionals.  Within a number of business days you can create a personalized website for your practice.

To see a sample of a website developed from the Universal Accountweb platform, go to www.universalaccountingservices.com.

Whether you run a full-time practice or perform bookkeeping services on the side, you need a website that tells potential clients about your business even when you are unable to.  If you haven’t yet developed a website for your business, or if your current site is in need of reform, today is the day!  Order your subscription now-your website will be up and running by the following business week.  And if you are a Universal Accounting student you will receive a free six-month trial!

10 Steps in Getting What You Want

In business you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate. - Chester L. Karras

You must be fully prepared to lose a great deal in order to make a great deal. - Anonymous

My father said: ‘You must never try to make all the money that’s in a deal.  Let the other fellow make some money too, because if you have a reputation for always making all the money, you won’t have many deals. - J. Paul Getty

All business owners must be prepared to negotiate at some time in their careers.  In fact, successful professionals must negotiate quite often in order to increase their profitability.  To help you master the art of negotiation, we’ve designed this two-part series that will share 10 steps in getting what you want.  Last week, we presented the following five steps:

1.    Prepare

2.    Time

3.    Strategize

4.    Listen

5.    Leverage

This week we’ll cover the last five:

6. Offer

It’s important that both parties find the offer to be clear and specific.  Michael Sanibel, in his article on Entrepreneur.com, explains, “The basis of the bargain should include: offer prices (in proper denomination), statement of work (scope), identification and quantities of goods or services, delivery schedule, performance incentives (if any), express warranties (if any), terms and conditions, and any documents incorporated by reference.”  Once both parties clearly understand and agree to this offer, which should be put in writing, you can move forward.

7. Anticipate

Experienced negotiators realize that the first offer is a reference point and is rarely accepted.  You should anticipate compromise, for that is a key element in negotiation.  In your research, you should have come to understand and appreciate what the other party wants and needs in order for this deal to be acceptable.  In that, be prepared to revise the original offer until it appeals to both parties.

8. Aim

That being said, it’s important to aim high.  Sanibel suggests you shoot for a win-win solution, where both parties are satisfied.  The Sloan Brothers and Daniel Kehrer, in their articled entitled “Ten Techniques for Better Negotiation,” explain, “Another tenet of negotiating is ‘go high, or go home.’  …As long as you can argue convincingly, don’t be afraid to aim high.  But no ultimatums, please.  Take-it-or-leave-it offers are usually out of place.”

9. Hold Firm

Most people know that when buying a car from a salesman you must be willing to walk away from the car of your dreams in order to secure the best deal.  The same idea applies to your business negotiations.  Max Markson once said, “Quite often, your indifference can be the greatest negotiating weapon you have.”  While you may care a great deal about this deal, you must hold firm to those things that matter most to you and be willing to step away if negotiations stray too far from that.

10. Close

It’s important that you recognize the point at which both parties are nearing a successful close.  Be posed to shake on your deal and follow up with all the necessary documents.

Negotiation is an art that takes considerable time and practice to master.  However, following these 10 simple steps can make the process much easier, helping you navigate to a more satisfying conclusion.

Visit Universal’s Free Resources

Universal Accounting Center (UAC) would love to see your practice succeed.  That’s why we offer your business the most valuable resources available.  Feel free to take our virtual UAC Tour to learn more about our training programs that will enhance your practice and your bottom line.  Or visit our free accounting and tax resources.  Either way you’ll want to bookmark the UAC site and return continually to improve your business.

Resources

Sanibel, Michael.  “The Art of Negotiating: A Practical Guide to Getting What You Want, When You Wants It, and at the Price You Want.” 24 August 2009  Entrepreneur.com

Sloan Brothers with Daniel Kehrer.  “10 Techniques for Better Negotiation.” 2005  Yahoo! Small Business

10 Steps in Getting What You Want

Start out with an ideal and end up with a deal.-Karl Albrecht

The most difficult thing in any negotiation, almost, is making sure that you strip it of the emotion and deal with the facts. - Howard Baker

Any business arrangement that is not profitable to the other person will in the end prove unprofitable for you.  The bargain that yields mutual satisfaction is the only one that is apt to be repeated. - B.C. Forbes

From buying a flat screen TV to securing new clients, you must know how to negotiate the best deal possible.  Giving in too soon or holding out too long can both be detrimental.  Negotiation is about balance-it’s about risking just the right amount to achieve what’s best for you and your business.

Some professionals are born with the innate ability to work a deal while others are weary of any situation that requires skillful negotiation.  We’ll admit, negotiating isn’t for the faint of heart, but sometimes learning the necessary steps is all it takes to get your game on, and in the end, close a deal to your satisfaction.  In this two-part series we share 10 steps that can help you improve your approach to the art of negotiation.  This week we’ll examine the first five steps:

1. Prepare

It’s important that you do your research before scheduling any kind of negotiation.  Whether you’re working with a vendor, a client, or your next-door neighbor, you should know what you both have to contribute to the deal.  And what are your weaknesses?  Any good negotiator will have determined yours before the meeting.  Do you know what theirs are?  Also ensure that you are meeting with the one who actually holds the power to seal the deal.  The last thing you want to discover, after going through all 10 of these steps, is that the deal you have secured still needs approval from someone higher up.

2. Time

Timing can be everything.  If you schedule a meeting with a company at its busiest time of the year or after a sudden downturn in the local economy, you will be at a disadvantage.  When scheduling an appointment, ensure that you have selected a good time for both you and the party with whom you’re negotiating.

3. Strategize

Negotiation is all about strategy.  Remember that your first offer sets the tone for all future conversations.  In his Entrepreneur.com article entitled “The Art of Negotiating,” Michael Sanibel explains, “The first offer is usually the most important and the benchmark by which all subsequent offers will be judged and compared.  You’ll never get what you don’t ask for, so make your first offer bold and aggressive.”  Remember that negotiation can be a professional dance where offers are often padded with extra, but unnecessary, amenities that help build price so that it can be whittled down again.  Understanding what, exactly, you want, will help tremendously as you move forward.

4. Listen

On the other hand, it’s equally important that you know what the other party wants, and this can only be achieved when you listen to what they’re saying (this includes body language).

5. Leverage

Know and believe in your own strengths–what you bring to the table.  Only when you have confidence in what you’re offering will you be able to use that as leverage in securing the deal you want.

Complementary Services Act as Great Leverage

Your business will become so much more appealing when you add tax preparation services to your menu; this alone will give you more leverage in closing deals with prospective clients.  In just two short months, tax season will be upon us; that’s just enough time to become a Professional Tax Preparer.  Learn everything you need to know about tax preparation in UAC’s Professional Tax Preparer program.  We’re so confident that it will work for you that we offer a 100% money-back guarantee:

If, after completing all of the learning activities,

you do not feel that you have received your money’s worth,

simply return the materials to Universal Accounting Center,

for a complete refund.

There aren’t many universities out there that would make that promise to its graduates.  Don’t wait another day to enhance your business and change your life.  Enroll today!

Join us next week when we talking about closing the deal with final five steps:

6.    Offer

7.    Anticipate

8.    Aim

9.    Hold Firm

10. Close

Resources

Sanibel, Michael.  “The Art of Negotiating: A Practical Guide to Getting What You Want, When You Wants It, and at the Price You Want.” 24 August 2009  Entrepreneur.com

Sloan Brothers with Daniel Kehrer.  “10 Techniques for Better Negotiation.” 2005  Yahoo! Small Business