Business Websites For Less

Every business should have a website that reflects a professional image. The days of the garage built, best friend websites are over. There are much better ways to get a quality website at an affordable price.

Web Site Templates are growing in popularity as they provide high end graphics design, e-commerce capabilities and flash appeal. A website template can be purchased for as low as $40 and provide a business with a great starting point for their internet presence. When you purchase a template it comes with the needed source code for customization.

Customization is the next step. you need to look at your website template purchase as a "design" investment. It gets you structure, a great look and basic functionality. This can take months and thousands of dollars if done from scratch. With the template as your guide, work with a developer to change the areas of the template that do not match your business. They can modify the flash files, assist in product images, change the graphics, integrate your merchant account and much more. The end product should reflect your business with no sign of the template.

The total cost of ownership for a template based website is much lower than if you started from scratch. So save time and money by starting with a website template. While these don't work for every business, they certainly can carry the torch for the majority of small business owners.

Browse and Purchase website templates: http://www.bookapro.net/

The watch outs...... Don't buy the Unique version of the template. This only means you will be the last to purchase this design. When in reality, if done correctly the design will be unique after you tailor it to your business. Secondly, there is no refund on templates. Since you are not buying a physical good, there is no way for you to return the website template without keeping a copy for yourself. If you are not sure of what to do, call us and we will advice you.

Information & Customization: info@bookapro.com or 404-423-2541

Little Black SEO Book

I have been reading a great book titled Little Black Book of Connections by Jeffrey Gitomer. The book starts out by identifying just how impersonal many of our connections have become. He identifies the fact that if asked to recall from memory the name and phone number of our best contacts, many of us would fail. Sure we have them in our cell phone or stored in our contact list on our computer. But in a crunch, we would be at a loss. My guess is that many of our friends and customers would experience the same if they were asked to pass on our contact information in a crunch as well.

Now try and reach the people who don’t know you. As a website development company we are asked over and over again how to get to the top of the search engines. How do we get more hits to our website? What are the keys to good search engine optimization? Links? Content? Time? Money? Page Header?

Well yes, those are all good strategies. But seriously, lets make it simple. The people that are most likely to do business with you already know you or can make a connection with you faster than they can with Kevin Bacon. So why are you not marketing to these relationships? They will play a major role in who you meet in the next year and who meets you.

So next time you are sitting at your computer looking for the next big SEO idea, get out your cell phone and start dialing. Spend 5 minutes talking to your friends and business contacts. See how they are doing, maybe you can offer some simple words of encouragement or congratulate them on a recent success. Then, while you are chatting about old times, get their email and updated address to build your Little Black SEO Book. Because if you are smart these are the first people you will keep abreast of the wonderful things you are doing for people with your business.

Make Sure Your Business Is Found

If you list your business on bookapro.com with no description and/or no services you might as well not even list. The simple fact is there are two ways consumers search for local businesses.

Service Menu: The left hand service navigation menu provides a easy way for users to drill down in to the service listing and see all businesses listed by Category. Once you are in the Subcategory you will also see businesses listed by Service Area. You can then further filter your search by entering a zip code and search radius.

Keyword Search: At the top of the screen users can enter a keyword and zip code to begin their search. The results of this search are based on the keywords found in your profile description. If the keyword searched is not in your profile description you will be omitted from the results. You can further filter the results by Category, Service Area or Distance.

So be advised, take your time and build a profile that has all the details about your products, services, and locations. Take advantage of our free local business directory. It will pay off in the long run.

Free Internet Advertising - It is true!

Bookapro.com has made the decision to offer FREE business advertising in our Internet Directory. Yes, you can advertise your business for Free. You do not need a credit card to sign up and this is not a trial period.

I get the same two questions when I tell business owners that we are now offering our services for Free.

1. Why the decision to make advertising free?

We see more value in a growing community of businesses than we do in chasing individuals for subscription payments. As members of bookapro.com network with their business partners and service providers the community will grow. Then whenever they need to refer a service, they can do so though bookapro.com. The community has value as it grows and does not need to be supported by subscription payments. For every person that says, "I found you on bookapro", 10 more businesses will sign up and more consumers will visit; giving all members more chances to source new business at no cost.

2. If your internet advertising is Free then how do you make money?

Book A Pro, LLC is an Internet Service Provider that has focused in two areas: Internet Advertising and Web Site Development. Over the last two years we have seen tremendous growth in our web development operation, building client applications that are far beyond the capability of most web development companies. At the same time we have found that our business has benefited by advertising on bookapro.com. So for us it is a simple business decision, Grow the Community, Grow the Business, Grow Everyone’s business.

In the coming months you will learn more about our growth strategies for the bookapro.com community. In the meantime, get your business listed and tell a friend.

Make Internet Marketing Work For You

Marketing your business on the Internet grows more challenging each day. Costs to advertise with Google and Yahoo continue to climb as more small businesses enter the market for pay-per-click advertising. New websites pop up to compete for the natural listing on the major search engines. And free classifieds get so much attention that your listing is on page 2 minutes after you hit the submit button. So what do you do to make sure you are getting those valuable impressions across to the Internet consumer?

1. Pay attention to your website's content. Search engines index your site's relevance against your competitors. Original, timely articles that are related to your business or industry are the first step in gaining the attention of search engines and keeping your customers interests.

2. Create multiple paths to your website. Make it easy for consumers to come across your business while searching other sites on the web. Make sure you are listed in all local business directories and that you are building link partnerships with businesses that share your consumer.

3. Involve your customers. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool. By sharing information about your website and the multiple paths to finding you on the web you can make sure even your newest customers know how to refer a friend for your services.

4. Create an Internet advertising budget. Promote your website with local Internet advertising providers and the major search engines. Let your budget determine how broad you can reach with your advertising spend. Your goal here is to drive impression and traffic that will make finding your site easier for the consumer.

5. Monitor your progress. Your web presence cannot be build over night. Take your time, keep track of where you are promoting, and stay after it like you do any other portion of your business.

PLANNING A PARTY? DON'T FORGET THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENT

Ever been to a party where all the guests just stood around clasping their drinks – never setting foot on the dance floor? Or how about a wedding where the DJ forced you to do the chicken dance or the Macarena? These are situations KC Cass says her clients will never suffer…

That’s because Cass customizes her music parties for each and every client. She says, “Every party is different, every setting is different, every person is different. It’s how you put the music together that pleases the groups.” Cass considers herself an expert on reading and interpreting a crowd. She knows exactly what to play – and WHEN to play it – to make sure everyone is up on their feet and having a blast.

All of this expertise comes from experience. Cass says music has always been a part of her life, whether she was fronting local bands or performing on musical theatre stages. And now a veteran in the DJ business, Cass’s resume includes everything from discotheque club scenes and college campuses to weddings and corporate galas. She comes complete with top quality sound and light systems and an energy that just won’t quit. She also offers a large selection of music genres, from Top 40 to Golden Oldies. If needed, Cass meets with clients face to face before the event to size up the location and come up with a party plan that suits the client’s needs. She can also host karaoke parties, MC business events or even entertain the kids at corporate picnics. And the best part? She offers all of this at a price that’s affordable for everyone.

Cass says she was referred to bookapro.com by a friend and really enjoys being a part of the website. She welcomes Bookapro’s email newsletters and says she has inquired about the services of several of the featured professionals. She feels like Bookapro is a great networking opportunity for business owners like herself, and in fact, she is offering a 10% discount to anyone who books their event through http://www.bookapro.com/. To learn more about Cass and how YOU can get your party started right… log onto http://www.bookapro.com/ today!

Quicker Search, More Results, Better Bookapro

Are you tired of bad search results or online business directories that offer little more than a business name and phone number? If so than bookapro.com's latest release should excite you.

The new design enables users to search by keywords and then filter their results by category, service or service area. The result is faster searches and the power to tailor your results to your particular needs.

This new search greatly benefits both consumers on the site and businesses listing their services. For consumers it means they can quickly find the services they are seeking and see potentially complementary services without having to weed through each business listing. Businesses benefit by being included in more basic searches, thus increasing their impressionas on bookapro.com customers. The impression made today will pay off later when a consumer is searching for their next service provider.

We are constantly working to improve the bookapro.com experience. Please log on and send us your suggestions for a better bookapro.

We look forward to helping you.

IMAGINE NEVER HAVING TO TALK TO A CAR SALESMAN AGAIN

When you want to buy or sell your home, you hire a real estate agent. So why not hire someone to help you buy or sell your CAR? Going to car lot after car lot takes time and often will cost you more money than you had planned on spending. That's where Tony Marzullo and Global Auto Solutions come in. They are a one-stop shop for clients who want to buy or sell a car - but just don't have the time it takes to do so.

Marzullo grew up in the car business and even claimed the title of one of the top Hummer salesmen in the country. It was early in his career that Marzullo realized the market had a need for someone like himself. Someone who had years of experience, pre-established relationships with more than 700 car dealers across the country, and someone who could provide objective advice to his clients. Now his company, Global Auto Solutions, is making its mark on Atlanta as one of the only full-service car shopping services in the area.

Marzullo says the key word is simple. Clients need only to provide the specifics of what kind of car they want, the money they want to spend, and Marzullo and his team will find it. He says the average client can save anywhere from $3 to $5,000! What if it turns out that the car you want is located in the middle of Kansas? Marzullo will have it shipped to you. Are you intimidated by car salesmen? Global Auto Solutions will accompany you to the lot and negotiate the deal for you. Maybe you’re too busy to shop around? Marzullo will bring the cars to your office so you can test drive them on your lunch break. Need help with financing? Global Auto Solutions can also help set up payments, arrange warranties, even get your car serviced and detailed.

Global Auto Solutions professionals have serviced congressmen, celebrities and top athletes such as Jamal Lewis and Jarvis Green. But Marzullo says the true bread and butter of his company are the average car buyers who just want to save time and money. Marzullo says single women are one of the company’s biggest client bases when it comes to selling a car. By using Global Auto Solutions, these women know they don't have to worry about strangers coming to their homes to check out a car.

For three years, Global Auto Solutions has succeeded with word of mouth advertising. But Marzullo says now it's time to get the word out. Just one reason why he decided to advertise his business on www.bookapro.com. To find out more about To find out more about Global Auto Solutions and how you can expand your horizons too, visit bookapro.com.

Heather L. Whitley

Get a Piece of the Online Advertising Pie

For Immediate Release: Atlanta, GA (PRWeb) January 6, 2007

Atlanta's premiere online business resource, bookapro.com, announces the launch of its new Direct Sales Organization. This newly-developed arm of the Book A Pro, LLC will provide a unique job opportunity for both individuals and businesses and allow them to get involved with the rapidly-growing online advertising industry. The group's ultimate goal is to have bookapro.com agents in every neighborhood, building true business communities that feed off of personal referrals and support from those around the community.

Eager sales representatives can become independent consultants for this expanding online company, while building support for their local businesses. Business owners can also benefit from the new organization by becoming registered sales agents and offering bookapro.com advertising as an added value to their existing clients.

Bookapro's President, EJ Aufderheide, says too many online advertising companies rely solely on the web for communication with clients. Bookapro aims to change that by keeping ad reps local, where they can meet face to face with clients and build important business relationships. Those interested in learning more about this unique opportunity can find out more at http://sales.bookapro.com or contact EJ Aufderheide at (404) 423-2541.

About Bookapro.com: www.bookapro.com provides affordable online advertising for businesses. The site features a growing variety of categories and provides detailed information on everything from caterers to web developers. Additional services such as print advertising, email marketing and web development are also offered to bookapro.com clients.

A NEW YEAR - A NEW YOU!

Have you made your resolutions for 2007 yet? If you’re like most people – it probably includes getting in shape. And there’s no better way to do that than by working with a personal trainer. But not just any trainer… To get the job done right, you need a trainer who is a certified professional, someone who makes the workouts fun, safe, and time efficient.

Meet Chris Engels. He’s a nationally certified personal trainer and competitive athlete, who also serves as General Manager and Part Owner of Atlanta’s Formwell Fitness. Engels and Formwell’s team of 15 professional trainers offer their clients a truly personal approach to fitness in a unique private environment full of state of the art equipment and staffers who are ready and willing to help you meet your goals. In fact, all Formwell trainers must be certified when hired and must also obtain one of two of the country’s top training certifications within their first year. Engels says this gives clients the assurance that the workouts they’re doing are safe and no injuries will occur. Engels brings seven plus years of training experience as well as multiple certifications to his job. In addition to his accomplishments as a trainer, Engels has also competed in triathlons for the past ten years and just recently successfully completed his third Ironman competition. But even with all of his experience, Engels has a personal trainer of his own. He says having someone there to push him past his comfort zone is the only way to get the results he desires.

Engels says the wealth of knowledge among the Formwell staff offers clients a well-rounded approach to fitness. Formwell teaches not only weight training, but cardio workouts and nutritional guidelines as well. Clients are served by all of Formwell’s trainers in a unique team approach. And it’s an approach that appears to be working. Formwell has now expanded to two Atlanta locations. Formwell’s Dunwoody location is a 3800 square foot private facility that’s open only to clients so you never have to worry about crowds. The company’s second location in Chamblee is an executive gym with all brand new equipment and includes a separate training area and cardio deck. Engels says rather than having to pay standard gym membership fees, Formwell clients buy their personal training sessions in personalized packages that are tailored to their needs. To find out more about Engels and the Formwell Fitness team, log onto www.bookapro.com and schedule a free consultation today!