Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi there,

I saw your post and had to first say how sorry I am to hear your story. It`s one I`ve heard all too often from small business owners who attend my workshops. And it drives me NUTS!

 

Although I`m not necessarily one of the providers you`re looking for (I`m a Practical Marketing Expert specializing in helping you take the stress, struggle and confusions out of growing your small business...And I regularly help my clients get the Website they need by acting as marketing director.), I thought I might be able to help you out with a few resources...

 

1) I`ve used a couple of different VA services over the years. My primary one is Erin Blaskie and her team at www.bsetc.ca however last I checked they weren`t taking on any new clients. Recently I`ve started using a new VA, Chantal Livingstone, for one of my clients, and she`s been doing a fine job building a blog site. You can find her at www.keyadministration.com.

 

2) I regularly speak to entrepreneurs on the subject of Websites. And because of all these awful stories, I`ve written a number of articles on Websites (you can find many of them at http://www.success-stream.com/resources.htm) and also published The Small Business Website Bible, a totally non-technical guide to getting a money-making Website without spending a fortune (http://www.smallbusinesswebsitebible.com).  

 

3) Also on my resources page, you can look inside my rolodex to find a list of services and providers I know and recommend. Hope this helps!

 

Best of luck!!

 

Stacy

 

Stacy Karacostas

Success-stream.com

 

 

All great advice, I hope things are working out well for you bevjoy.  But Paula makes a great point.  Talk to their customers. Get actual references.  A portfolio is good to view, but knowing the customers experience, about how it was, is really valuable. My great mistake, had quite a portfolio, but I think he buffaloed a lot of people because he took control of their sites and sales. I hope they survived.  I just got away, and sued him! Thankfully, it all worked out very well for us. 

 

Janie

Matthew:

Stacy:

Addendum:

bev joy, Just to let you know, I don`t believe close proximity has anything to do with it.  I have dealt with web developers that were in our neighborhood, that were very frustrating to deal with.  Just because you  might be able to see their work or go to their office and hunt them down, does not have anything to do with  working with someone that will give you the results you want.  I was in Ca.,  when I hired Roland, and he is in Massachusetts.  You can be so close, and work so well on the Internet. I also think it goes way beyond working with a web designer.  Some could probably wow you more.  But to work with someone that has your best interests in growing your business and being there for you, is what I was interested in.  And that  has really helped  us with our online success. I hope it all works out for you!

 

Janie