Our Current Newsletter

• Domain name prices are going up in 2012: What you need to know
• We’re changing registrars on domain names we manage; here’s why
• Reminder: USPS rates are going up January 22, 2012
• USPS: cutting services too?
• Good news for 2012: Yes, there is!

Don’t you just love turning over the pages of a brand-new calendar — blank, expectant, filled with promise and waiting for you to fill its pages with magic?

My wall calendar for 2012 is a special one — red and gold, depicting a ferocious Chinese dragon.  The Year of the Dragon, which begins this year on January 23, is considered the “year of luck” in Chinese mythology, bringing good fortune, health, long life, and prosperity.

My New Year’s wish for you is just that: good fortune and prosperity.  The times are challenging, but that also means opportunities for those who are prepared.  I promise to bring you pertinent news, marketing tips, information, and my very best efforts to help make your 2012 a year of successful growth.

Gung Hei Fat Choy! (Happy New Year!)

~ Carol

Domain Name Price Increase: What You Need to Know

Registration and renewal rates on all domain names are increasing on January 15, 2012. Here’s what you need to know and the actions, if any, that you need to take.

1. If you manage your own registration

Even if your domain name does not expire in 2012, you can renew early and add more time at the current rates. You may register a name for a maximum of 10 years, so if your domain name expires in January of 2013, for example, you could add up to 9 more years at your current yearly price.

Your current price and the specific amount of increase will depend on the company who holds your domain registration. Many registrars are just saying “prices will go up,” but count on at least 10% increase over current fees.

Lock in your current rates for the maximum period, if you possibly can do so.

2. If 2FishWeb manages your registration

I am renewing all clients’ domain names early in January, so your prices for 2012 will not increase.

Why we’re changing domain registrar companies

As part of the early renewal of domain names to save you money in 2012, we’re changing domain registration companies. Some of our clients have seen alarming communications from GoDaddy saying that their domain names were being transferred away.

This was my fault for not notifying you in advance, and I apologize. Here’s what is going on, and why.

Domain names must be registered through one of a handful of ICANN-certified companies. At 2FishWeb, we’ve always used GoDaddy in order to bring you to lowest possible prices for full domain management services.

However, in December GoDaddy announced their support of a bill called the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), which as of this writing is still pending in Congress.

SOPA is a far-reaching piece of legislation that has the potential for great impact on almost every website out there. The stated goal of the bill is to crack down on websites that violate copyright — stolen movies, music, software, and other intellectual property. That sounds great, and most people wouldn’t have a problem with that.

However, in practice, the bill would allow corporations or copyright holders to file an allegation of infringement on suspicion that a site has violated their copyright, without having to provide any proof up front. The website which is supposedly hosting the “stolen” material would then have to immediately remove it or face being closed down by its webhosting company. Other actions can include

• barring online advertising networks and payment facilitators such as PayPal from doing business with the allegedly infringing website,
• barring search engines from linking to such sites,
• and requiring Internet service providers to block access to such sites.

The accused website then has the entire legal burden of proving that it did nothing wrong. Penalties can include hefty fines plus up to five years in prison for each violation.

In practice, this bill could allow nothing less than censorship of the Internet at the whim of a faceless corporation and its lawyers. GoDaddy not only supported this drastic legislation, they actually had a hand in writing it… and made darned sure than an exemption for GoDaddy was written into the bill.

(Note: GoDaddy has released statements saying that they no longer support SOPA. They’ve been removed from the official list of sponsoring companies. That does not change the fact that they helped write this legislation and only recanted after hundreds of thousands of domain names were transferred away from them in mid-December.)

I will no longer do business with GoDaddy.

As a result, I am in the process of transferring all domain names managed for our clients from GoDaddy to a reputable company — one that opposes SOPA and has from the outset — called NameCheap. (Unfortunate-sounding name; good company.)

NameCheap costs more. Freedom of the Internet is worth it.

And remember, for 2012 your managed domain name costs will not increase.

For more information on SOPA:

NameCheap: We Say No to SOPA

What is SOPA?

Why Rackspace Opposes the Stop Online Piracy Act

Adam Savage of Mythbusters: “SOPA Could Destroy the Internet as We Know It”

Reminder: USPS rates are going up January 22, 2012

First-class mail rates are rising from 44 cents to 45 cents and all package rates are changing. If you have questions about how this may affect your online store, get in touch and let’s go over the changes.

Postal service cuts too?

In addition to rate increases, the Postal Service is seeking Congressional approval to cut services. Changes could include ending Saturday delivery of U S Mail, closing a number of mail processing facilities, and — perhaps most important for online sellers — slowing down delivery of mail and packages by an extra day to two days.

Sellers are concerned that if they can no longer guarantee two- or three-day delivery via First Class or Priority Mail, they might have to start shipping via UPS or FedEx, both of which are considerably more expensive.

Will this affect your business? It might be time to take a look at your options if you sell physical products. How can you adjust your shipping to provide good service to your customers at a price they feel is reasonable?

If you have questions or need guidance, get in touch and let’s tailor a plan for your situation.

More information: BusinessWeek: Postal Service Cuts Worry Kitchentable Entrepreneurs

Trends and Opportunities for 2012: There IS Good News for Your Business

Yes, the US economy is in a slump. No, it doesn’t look like a turnaround will happen in the near future. It’s a difficult climate in which to run a business.

But as Sir Winston Churchill said, “An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Let’s look at a few opportunities made possible by difficult times.

Trend: Buy Small, Buy Local

One major trend favorable for small businesses is that people are getting tired of big companies, their indifference, and their abuses. Movements to encourage buying from local businesses (where possible) and small businesses (particularly for artisan products such as jewelry and personal care such as handmade soaps, lotions, and bath items) offer great opportunity to distinguish your company and increase your business in the coming year.

• Emphasize personal service. “You’re a name, not just a customer number” is a great selling tool.
• Reach out to local customers. Optimize your marketing to reach people interested in buying locally. Make sure your website contains keywords pertaining to your city and state. Hyperlocal businesses such as restaurants or massage therapists may even want to add keywords for their specific neighborhoods.
• Communicate your unique offerings. If you sell handmade artisan products or items unique to your business (such as original quilting patterns), make sure your marketing efforts reflect that. Appeal to customers wanting to support small businesses for items not necessarily available locally.

Trend: Coaching? Get Ready for a Boom

The market for business and life coaches is wide open this year. Because of the slow economy, people who haven’t been able to find suitable jobs are ready to start their own businesses. Baby boomers, many of whom saw their retirement investments diminish during the last few years, are also ready to start businesses instead of going fishing. Military servicemen and women will be coming home to the US; with jobs scarce, they too will be looking for answers from the experts.

Opportunity: Consider aiming some of your marketing at this new set of entrepreneurs. They will be looking for business advice, but they’ll also need help dealing with the stress and overwhelm of working for themselves.

Trend: Frugal Spending

Everybody loves to save money, especially when times are lean, and many people choose to put off buying nonessential items or shop strictly on price. But you don’t have to be “the low-price leader” to benefit from frugal shoppers. A great opportunity to build customer loyalty, even in difficult times, is to offer discounts or special deals to your repeat customers.

If you send out regular newsletters (and if you don’t, why not?), your email list is one of your greatest assets. Let your subscribers know that they are special by offering “secret discounts” once or twice a year only to newsletter recipients. Your shopping cart software can be used to offer percent off coupons or special prices on a particular item or category of products. If you sell services, you can offer discount coupons through PayPal or your payment provider. We can help you set it up.

On your website, your newsletter signup form should include a teaser: “Want to be the first to hear about special deals and discounts? Sign up for our insiders’ newsletter and get advance notice of sales!”

Make your customers feel special. They’ll love you for it… and your bottom line will show it!