Advice

What are my responsibilities as a franchisor?

8:17PM | Sunday, 29 August 2010 | By Oliver Milman Although becoming a franchisor allows you to concentrate on your own business while, hopefully, your franchisees bring in money elsewhere, you can’t completely leave them on their own.

What kind of IT support do I need?

8:17PM | Sunday, 29 August 2010 | By Patrick Staffprd There is nothing worse than being unable to do work because of a dodgy IT system. Start-ups need to get their IT requirements right from the very beginning.

How do I ensure that all my data isn’t lost?

8:17PM | Sunday, 29 August 2010 | By Patrick Stafford Three simple words – backup, backup and backup. Copy your data, spread it around and protect it in as many places as possible to make sure you data is safe no matter what happens.

How do I protect my data?

8:17PM | Sunday, 29 August 2010 | By Patrick Stafford Protecting your confidential data is one of the most important tasks a business must fulfil, and it will only become more crucial as you grow.

How do I decide upon the best hardware and software for my business?

8:17PM | Sunday, 29 August 2010 | By Patrick Stafford Most businesses will require computers for staff, but don’t feel the need to go all-out.

What are my initial IT requirements?

8:17PM | Sunday, 29 August 2010 | By Patrick Stafford As a start-up, your IT requirements will vary depending on your type of business and what it offers.

What should my website contain?

8:17PM | Sunday, 29 August 2010 | By Patrick Stafford As a minimum, your website should contain basic information about your company including your name, products or services, contact information, store location data, possibly pictures of staff and your logo.

How do I set up a website?

8:17PM | Sunday, 29 August 2010 | By James Thomson You first need to register a domain name, which can be done quickly and easily with any domain name registrar.

What do I do if my reputation is being damaged online?

8:17PM | Sunday, 29 August 2010 | By Patrick Stafford The most important part of managing your reputation online is keeping a good relationship with your customers.

How should I interact with customers online?

8:17PM | Sunday, 29 August 2010 | By Patrick Stafford Conversing with customers online is very different from talking or negotiating in a store. On the internet, users appreciate honesty, speed and conversation. They reject one-way marketing and defensive personalities.