Image via Paladin 27

It’s a tough economy. Lay-offs, plant closings, higher taxes, higher costs for everything from food to fuel, and in most homes, two incomes are the norm. In fact, two incomes is almost a requirement these days.

However, not all couples have the time to work full-time jobs. Let’s face it, a lot of us want to stay home and raise our kids. NP. There’s plenty of web-based work if you’re willing to hustle for it and you’ve got some skills.

Typing, data entry, simple bookkeeping, concierge services, proof-reading – these are the kinds of things home-based business owners do in this outsourced world – and they can do it from anywhere for any company. And still keep an eye on the kids.

Here are some “must haves” for the budding, home-based business owner. Work at home, earn some cash and raise a family. In the age of outsourcing, you can build a profitable business in a matter of weeks without shelling out a lot for tools, or even job leads.

1. Skype

Skype is a popular VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) tool that hooks you up to anyone, anywhere via computer.

Calling another Skype user is free, and dialing a phone, even half-way around the world, is just pennies a minute. You can talk to your clients on the other side of the planet for 20 minutes. Total cost using Skype or some other VoIP system? A couple of bucks. Really.

Skype also has a messaging service, serves as an e-mail client and you can even hook up a video cam to show off the professional you. Today, your clients for outsourced virtual services can be anywhere. And staying in touch is part of your work-from-home job. And while there are other VoIP plans you can purchase through your cell phone provider or Skype owns the on-line VoIP market.

Cost: $5.00 to open an account.

That buys you $5.00 of Skype time so the service is a give-away. You can also set Skype on auto-pilot by giving your credit card number. Then, whenever you run short of Skype time, your card is charged automatically so you never get cut off mid-sentence.

This is a must-have app for the work-from-home start-up that doesn’t want to see profits gobbled up by phone charges. VoIP cuts costs down to nothing, or at least keeps communication expenses under control.

2. Zoho

Zoho delivers a strong menu of virtual office applications because, as a virtual business owner, you need a virtual office for everything from conferencing to customer support.

And while Zoho won’t handle every task smoothly, it’ll simplify the home-based business task list with everything from virtual web conferencing (very cool, very simple, very essential) to on-line collaborations with clients in some distant corner of the world.

I also like Zoho because it provides the tools that enable the start-up, work-at-home business owner to expand his/her list of service offerings from day one. Not a total fix, Zoho solves daily problems and cuts workload down to manageable levels. It also equips you to do more for your clients – and that’s how you build an ever-expanding client base. Deliver more services faster and more reliably and they’ll be knocking on you virtual door looking to sign on for your service offerings.

Cost: $0

3. Basecamp

Basecamp isn’t free but the basic package, which is all you need, won’t be a budget buster, and you can chalk it up to the cost of doing business.

Basecamp is an on-line, virtual office and project management suite that delivers the flexibility your clients expect.

Using Basecamp, you set up work rooms for each client. Examine your work postings for the day from clients, mark projects complete on delivery, upload super-sized files in any format, track project progress at a glance and control your business from an adaptive, intuitive graphical user interface, also called a GUI.

And because each client around the globe has his or her own “virtual” space to share with you, that client feels special, and that’s what keeps clients coming back with that next assignment.

Cost: $24 a month for the basic membership; handles up to 15 accounts simultaneously.

4. Meebo

Meebo is an instant messaging service that links into all of the most common web portals – at least the ones used by the biggest percentage of your client base.

With this one app, you can send and receive instant messages over AOL, Yahoo, My Space, MSN, Jabber, Facebook and other IM services – all from a single launch pad.

Meebo runs in the background, unobtrusively, and keeps you in touch with clients quickly and simply and, today, that’s what your clients want. Fast communications simplified.

Regardless of what IM service your new client uses, you always get the message with Meebo, all on a single page GUI that also serves as CRM – customer relations management – software, keeping a complete record of all communications with clients. This tool is designed to prevent misunderstandings.

Cost: $0

5. Kappix DRoster

Kappix DRoster is a robust scheduling tool that you use to schedule the activities of your clients. No matter what type of work you do from home – from virtual assistant to web designer – you can absolutely be certain that one client will screw up YOUR work schedule by failing to submit docs or other information required to get the job done quickly.

Kappix DRoster replaces a manual client scheduler, like MS Outlook, automating messaging and scheduling of client-side deliveries, approvals and other work-related activities. You control the actions of the clients with this app, not the other way around.

Working from home means organizing the activities of your clients, and this scheduling tool let’s clients know what THEY have to do (and when) to keep the work flow smooth and your work-at-home business sailing along.

One disorganized client can shred your whole schedule in seconds, but with this app, YOU notify each client of what’s due and when. Sure, you’re the service provider but if your clients don’t cooperate, your business suffers. It’s as simple as that. Kappix DRoster keeps clients up to date on what’s expected of them. tTat collaboration and pro-active approach to client scheduling is critical to work-at-home success.

Cost: $0

6. Elance

Elance is, perhaps, the best known site for finding work in a range of categories. Are you a work-at-home programmer? Sign up with Elance. Administrative Assistant? There are 323 jobs listed under this category today – from data entry gigs to concierge buying requests.

Copy writer, lawyer, architectural services – regardless of what services you offer from home, Elance has job listings.

This service will cost you, however. Elance does have an entry-level, FREE plan but it’s really limited. You can’t connect your Elance profile and you’re limited on the number of jobs you can bid. (Yes, you bid on jobs on Elance and each bid costs 50 cents.)

Also, Elance takes an 8.75% chunk of the cost of any gig you get. That percentage goes down as you earn Elance more cash, but they will get their money from you, that’s a fact.

Tiered packages are also available for a monthly fee. The basic membership will set you back $9.95 monthly and the professional-tier goes for $19.95 a month.

However, you’ll make that back on the first job you land through Elance. Keep your bids low (give it away) until you get feedback from happy clients. Then gradually, raise your bids and earn more. The competition is fierce on Elance, but some of the jobs pay well by web standards and it’s a great way to network your way to home-based business success.

Instead of sitting around watching soap operas, or playing solitaire on that shiny new computer you just bought, earn some money working in your slippers, keep an eye on the kids and be your own boss. Millions of people are earning money from home.

Are you the next one to join their ranks?

Image via Domainer Developer

You’ve worked hard to get to this point – to the point where your web site is profitable. It has value. It generates income, has a stable client or customer base and generates enough to enable you to leave the 9-to-5 workaday world and become your own boss.

What may have started out as a hobby or experiment has grown, gone through numerous incarnations and changed its look, keywords and even its target demographic – but all that tweaking produces a web site that actually turns a nice profit every month.

Enough to consider putting your digital storefront up for sale? Maybe it’s time to cash in on all those extra hours, the expense of hiring a copy writer, a programmer, a CMS you understand and all of the other steps you’ve taken that have led to ultimate web success.

Selling an intellectual property (IP), that’s what a web site is since it doesn’t actually “exist” like real property (a house, car, boat – something you can touch and walk around in), may be more difficult than you think. On the other hand, if you do it properly, you can walk away with enough cash to live a life of ease and financial independence.

1. Do some housecleaning.

You know that glitch you’ve been meaning to fix? Fix it. You know that dead-end link you’ve been meaning to re-program? Call the programmer. Before you put your site on the market, make sure it’s optimized for SEO, conversion and for the site buyers’ market.

Like selling a house, the buyer wants things in tip-top shape.

2. Gather your numbers.

A knowledgeable buyer – the kind you want – is looking for a number of numbers:

* monthly gross revenues
* monthly expenses to determine net
* revenue sources (provide a breakdown of direct sales, AdSense, paid adverts and other revenue sources)
* number of customers/clients in the IP’s database
* complete site metrics

3. Contact competitor site owners.

All contact information can usually be located using Whois, the registry of ownership of all public web sites. Some owners prefer anonymity so they pay a fee to protect their privacy, i.e. not all prospects can be reached using Whois.

Also, sites may be registered under “company” names, making it difficult to track down a person to whom you can speak.

Of course, in most cases, good web sites have a CONTACT US page. You can always drop a note to the company asking for contact info. Mention you have a site for sale but keep it brief. Your email will probably be read by a couple of customer service reps before reaching the decision maker’s desk.

4. Contact businesses within the topicality of your site.

If your site sells nutritional supplements, Google nutritional supplements and start making contact with the major corporations operating within your sphere.

I also recommend contacting your wholesalers. These companies already know your site moves product, making the sell a lot easier. You don’t have to explain the market or your numbers. Your wholesalers already know you’re doing quite nicely, thank you very much.

5. Finding buyers outside your business realm.

Once you’ve combed your industry and parallel industries targeting the same demographic, you may have to turn to a web site investor. They’re out there and they’re savvy. In fact, the good ones can valuate your web site at a glance, identify problems and missed opportunities and even figure out how to integrate this new site into their existing on-line IPs.

However, these web property investors are looking for the best deal and may not recognize the intrinsic value a site has within a niche industry. If your site is the “yellow pages” for your narrow industry sector, that has a great deal of value to a potential buyer.

That’s why a punchy sales letter is so useful when working with a prospect outside your industry or business sector. A good sales letter details the intrinsic assets that add value to a site – things like reputation, industry positioning, expanded service offerings and other features that make your site more valuable to an investor.

6. Setting an asking price.

How do you valuate your profitable web site?

I’ve seen lots of formulas: 2X annual gross earnings, 5X five-year net earnings and so on. The simple fact is that your web site is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay. And that may not be the figure you had in mind, nor does the offer fit any formula.

That’s another reason to shop the site around your industry. These business owners understand the value of your site, and the site more easily dovetails into that company’s off- and on-line marketing activities.

7. Put it in writing.

Most likely you’re selling to someone you don’t know. She may sound like a total professional over the phone but, as they say, “No one knows you’re a dog on the W3.”

The contract can be simple. Be flexible with your terms to sweeten the deal. Expect 50% of the total agreed-upon price at signing and the remaining 50% upon successful migration of the site to the buyer’s host server.

Maintain a back-up copy of the site on your server and don’t hand over the keys to the back office until final payment is made and the check clears. Because there’s virtually no regulation or oversight in the buying and selling of a web-based IP, make sure the money is in the bank before making the arrangement 100% rock-solid permanent.

8. Offer to serve as a consultant.

This is a great selling point. Agree to remain available as a consultant, either as part of the purchase price or on a retainer basis. This makes buyers feel a lot more comfortable knowing that they can turn to you with questions and suggestions.

And all it costs you is time. In fact, if you stay on as a consultant you can continue earning from a site you sold. How cool is that?

Selling a web site takes a lot of thought and planning to avoid low-balling yourself out of thousands or, worse, getting ripped off by somebody you’ve never met and never will.

You’ve worked hard to create value on line. Make sure you get what you deserve, make sure you get what you want and, finally, remember: there’s no deal you can’t walk away from.

There’ll be another deal, another offer, tomorrow.

Image via s4ints

Hey, good for you. You put up a web site to sell your goods, market your services or promote your cause. Welcome to the neighborhood. It’s fun.

However, if you rely solely on making direct sales and signing up new buyers, clients and adherents, well, you’re not taking full advantage of that little piece of digital real estate you now own. The fact is, there are lots of ways to generate revenue from your web site. Here are just a few:

1. Google Adsense. You see the ubiquitous blue cube skyscrapers on every search engine result page (SERP) and on lots of web sites. You can add these cubes to your site, as well, and collect every time a site visitor clicks.

Adsense places contextual ads on your site automatically. You determine where these ad blocks appear, when they appear and even which advertisers can appear on your site. (No competitors, please). You won’t get rich, put Adsense can easily cover your monthly hosting costs and maybe even buy a dinner for you and your spouse each month.

2. Affiliate marketing. Create a nav tab called Our Trusted Friends and create an affiliates’ page advertising companies that pay each time a site visitor clicks from your site to theirs and performs the most desired action, called the MDA.

Choose affiliates that appeal to your target market. If you’re selling baby clothes, a link to a car tire chain won’t help you with affiliate income. It’ll also annoy search engine bots who recognize an inappropriate link. All affiliates should be related to the topicality of your site and should be able to further visitor searches. That’s what search engines look for in affiliates.

Consider contacting small companies that don’t have an affiliate program, talking to their marketing director and creating an affiliate program. Trade shows are great places to find these small companies, and you’re the only site selling their products. Cool.

You can also add a tag to your affiliates page and Google won’t spider that page. Find affiliate companies at Commission Junction. It’s easy.

3. Paid advertising. Some solid businesses have finally recognized the value of paid, on-line advertising, and while traditional print and electronic ad revenues are in decline, W3 ad revenues have grown 15% to date in’09 according to the pros.

Contact companies that sell products that have pull with your demographic. If you’re selling hearing health services, chances are you’re after the 50+ crowd in the sales arc of purchasing a hearing aid. Companies like Oticon, ReSound, Beltone and other hearing aid makers would love a banner above the fold, or an image of their latest hearing device on your home page or contact page.

And they’ll pay for it! Another way to earn passive income and help site visitors learn more about the products you sell. Whoa, a win-win situation.

4. Hosted content. Success coaches, life coaches, stock pickers and other experts earn their dough on their credibility. That’s what makes them “masterminds,” and worth paying $1,000 for a webinar. These experts often pay to place their articles on well-trafficked websites – hey, like yours!

5. Expand service and product offerings. What else would a buyer of your products or services want? If you’re a local insurance agent with a small site, hook up with a law firm that can draw up wills, insurance agreements, identify risk and so on.

You refer clients through your website and collect a flat fee or a percentage simply by directing site visitors to your friend down the street. Make use of every pixel.

Selling customized racing bikes? Got helmets, spandex by the pound, water bottles and all those other accessories? These simple add-ons expand your presence, create more doorways to your site and, if a visitor doesn’t buy a bike, she might buy a helmet. The more related products listed on your site, the more selling opps you have.

6. An e-book download. If you aren’t a writer, hire one. Elance.com is a good place to start. The book should provide detailed, utile information and it doesn’t have to be 250 pages long. Would you print out 250 pages? Keep it short, on-point and sell it for less than $9.95. People don’t think about spending 10 bucks so you’ll see more sales.

Special note: Let site visitors download the first chapter free. That’s the bait.

7. A newsletter. Selling subscriptions on line is tough. Most of us can find the same information free. But, if you’re a genius day trader with tips and picks, you can charge a lot for a short subscription.

Subscribers must recognize the value of the information you provide but if it makes them better at what they do, or if it generates increased revenue, your newsletter, delivered via e-mail every other week, could really boost site revenues.

8. Host a webinar. A realtor in the U.S. put together a Power Point presentation and advertised on one mortgage-lending site for 30 days. He got 160 people to sign up at $100 apiece for a webinar on making home sales. This realtor, after expenses, cleared $14K in an hour. You can, too.

No one of these revenue generating opportunities will necessarily make you rich (though they can), but they will add to the cash generated by your site, improve your margins and help visitors find what they’re looking for.

And isn’t that a good thing for all of us? You bet it is. So take advantage of every pixel. Squeeze your site for every extra penny you can generate.

After all, that’s why you built the site, isn’t it?

If you search for Innity on Google, there’s a high probability you will get into any pages that say Innity doesn’t pay much, local ad company sucks and all sorts of rubbish. While people have bad impressions of the company, I personally disagree with their opinions as I would say Innity is definitely one of the best paying CPM network that I have ever joined.

Before joining Innity, I have tried several CPM companies. None of them work for me. Or should I say, they don’t pay as much as what my traffic deserved. While I don’t get millions of traffic per day, I do have traffic that’s geographically and demographically targeted. So I went on to search for CPM networks that I think will work best for me and this company comes to my sight – Innity.

Right now I am using Adsdaq ads, thanks to Jayce Ooi who has a great time running the ads on his blog. Seeing his accomplishment, I decided to try it on my own and set up Adsdaq as primary ad network while using Innity as my secondary ad option. To my surprise both of them worked out perfect and I have made good use of the traffic that I get. So for anyone who has lots of Malaysian traffic and is looking for a good local ad company, Innity stands out as your choice. Try it out on your own and see if it works out well.

Image via Innity

Doing charity is good. When you donate money or helping someone, not only you will feel happy but there might be some surprise for you too!

Back few days ago, I have donated some money to few websites. Those money are meant to help building a better environment while taking care of the natural resources. While I don’t expect any return of them, they do give me few links from their homepage, and guess what, traffic has risen thanks to their kindness.

What do I get from them?

1. Links from authority website
2. More traffic
3. Better branding
4. And the best of all… I finally get the 1st page ranking in Google Malaysia for my English name, Edward!

If you have some extra money and don’t know what to do with it, please give it to those who deserved it. Be kind to other people and others will be kind to you.

Image via Swamibu

I’m leaning back on my spinning chair right now, ponder my next online project. While blogging continues to be my main income source, I still have my mind on starting another website. It’s better to put your eggs in different baskets isn’t it?

Putting up CPC and CPM ads and waiting for the money to roll in might seem to be a easy route for everyone, but recession will hit you hard and you might find yourself deep in trouble if you rely on one or two advertising network. So if you are worry of the same problem, you might want to consider using affiliate programs as an alternative.

When I talk about affiliate programs, it doesn’t mean stuffing your blog posts with meaningless contents and a bunch of affiliate links, this will only make your visitors stay away from your blog. Instead, start a new website of any niche and proceed with your plan. There are few niches which users don’t really mind about signing up through your affiliate links, instead they are more than happy and willing to return to your website in the future for more updates! Remember there are niches that haven’t been tapped by the others or with less competitors, you just need to put in effort in finding the right one to monetize it. Think carefully and you will know what I mean

The recession is getting worse but I am not anxious. I’m self-employed and I determine my future with my effort. For as long as the internet is there, I have a whole world that buffers me from bankruptcy. Make good use of it and you will go further in your money making journey.

Image via Belthelem