Quickbooks Online vs Quickbooks Desktop 2010

Photo Credit: Kevin Lawver

So, I recently tried to switch a client from Quickbooks Desktop 2010 over to Quickbooks Online and it didn't go really well.  The tax settings in QB Online are very minimalist.  Luckily, they only do a service that's taxable once a week or so, so we may still be able to get it to work for them.  Anyway, if you are thinking about making the switch, thoroughly investigate the tax configurations to make sure it will work for you.  Personally, I've been using Freshbooks, and I've loved it.  The only down side is that they are not really geared up for accounting on a large scale yet.  I think when they get there it will be a great product and everyone will be making the switch.

Favorite Software for Small Business

Google Apps, free edition, for email, contact management, calendaring and online.
Freshbooks for accounting. (still in the testing phase, but so far I really like it!)
Google Voice for all of the phone features and savings that you've been doing without all these years.
Google Analytics
Google, Microsoft Search Engine Ads to replace those Yellow Pages ads, billboards, and radio jingles.
Picasa for editing, uploading, sharing photos.

Photo by ShaneGlobal

Progress of Gilberthomes.com

Well, I just submitted gilberthomes.com to Google a couple of weeks ago and so far I've had 30 search engine hits.  My best performing keyword is "gilbert homes," followed by "gilbert homes for sale," and "gilbert az homes."  For whatever reason, Yahoo is giving me really good listings for those terms, while Google is putting me further down the page for those keywords that I'm really going after.  Google has, however, listed me high for queries related to information about the Town of Gilbert, Gilbert schools, Gilbert recreation, and things of that nature.  My plan of attack for gilberthomes.com is two-fold:

1. Exchange links with local, Gilbert-based companies and non-Gilbert-based real estate companies. 
2. Build a lot of good content.  To do this, I'm lining up bloggers (I've found a mortgage broker to write) and I'm writing positive articles about local businesses

Anyway, I've got a long road ahead because I'll probably have to start getting 30 search engine hits per day before I start getting any real leads.  Initial results are promising though, and the good thing is that realtors love to exchange links, so that should be the easy part.  Initially, I thought it would take me 90 days to start getting leads, but now I think it may only take 30 more days (I guess that makes 50 total).  

Gilbert Homes for Sale

So my latest project is selling real estate.  I have been working hard since October of 2008 to acquire a good domain name, and I've finally settled on, and acquired the domain name "gilberthomes.com."  According to Google, the term "gilbert homes" is queried 74,000 times per month.  Other interesting facts about Gilbert:

1. As of July 13th, 2,228 houses have been sold in the town of Gilbert, Arizona
2. The average sale price in Gilbert this year has been $221,923
3. A 3% commission on a $221,923 home sale in Gilbert is $6,657.69
4. There are 1,670 homes on the market right now in Gilbert, Arizona

Anyway, the point is that if I can just figure out a way to dominate the Gilbert market on the internet, I can't help but sell some houses, and that can only be good for my pocketbook.  So I went to real estate school, got my license (that's about as hard as applying for a bus pass) and activated with M & B Realty in Gilbert.  Now I have my keycode access, a few leads, and a lot of ambition.

Useful Phoenix-area Resources

Entertaining Vacation Site:  Here's a fun site started for people who have recently found themselves out of work: My Economy Vacation My Economy Vacation.com is a website dedicated to helping bring a smile to those who are unemployed, laid off, job searching or living life on a budget. Read economy survival stories and gain access to a shared resource of tips and tools to survive the current economic crisis.

Email Marketing Seminars

Check out Ron Cates' excellent email marketing seminar right here in Phoenix if you get a chance.

Google Analytics is one of the best analytics tools available.

And it's free!

http://analytics.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-ten-myths-about-google-analytics.html