The LocalPAGES team is pleased to announce our Business of the Week winner, Brick Pavers in Miami! Located at 111 NE 1st St #300A Miami, FL 33132, this local biz offers some of the best residential and commercial paving services in the Miami area!

Whether you’re making a few repairs to the paving that you already have, or are starting from scratch, Brick Pavers in Miami will have a solution for you. The business offers both residential and industrial brick paving services. The staff at Brick Pavers can handle any brick job you throw at them, whether it’s a simple repair or a full installation.

So what’s the secret behind Brick Pavers in Miami’s excellent quality and track record? Simple. The business only employs the top certified pavers in the industry. Every single member of the staff is updated and knowledgeable with the newest and most innovative brick paving materials, methods, and strategies. The pavers in this biz are also highly experienced in brick paving and laying strategies, as well as setup and repair of thin and block pavers. They also have experience in drive excavation as well.

More and more people are opting for Brick Paving instead of just ordinary cement for a number of reasons. For one thing, bricks are more durable and can withstand whatever stress that the elements can throw at them.

Brick paving is also a whole lot more customizable, compared to ordinary concrete which provides limited options. With bricks, you can mix and match different shapes, colors, and styles to meet your taste and preferences.

A good brick paving job can also increase the overall value of a property thanks to the durability and aesthetic value that it brings to the table.

Now that  you know the advantages of brick paving, it’s time to get see what it can do for your property.

Below is a list of systems that Brick Pavers in Miami can handle:

Deck Brick

Attractive Block

Driveways

Interlocking Brick paving

Patios

Pool

Decks

Porch Block

Keeping Wall surfaces

Sidewalks

Walkways

Do note that they can handle much more than what’s mentioned above, so if you can’t see the system that you need on that list, call them anyway and they can help you right out!

Yes, when it comes to finding Brick Pavers in Miami, FL, look no further than this small biz. Visit their site or give them a call today at 786-329-4630.

The LocalPAGES Team is pleased to announce our Business of the Week winner, Faron Salon! Located at 1784 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140, this hair salon is has one goal: to make every person that walks through their doors look fabulous.

The stylists at Faron Salon aren’t just experienced, they’re innovative as well, and they’re continuously updating their techniques to keep up with the latest trends and looks in the beauty and style industry.

The business caters to both men and women and offers a variety of services, including haircuts, color, highlights, conditioning, straitening, perms, even manicures and pedicures!

So whether you’re looking to get just basic trim, need to curl your hair for a big event, or to just unwind with nice mani-pedi, don’t hesitate to go to Faron Salon–the staff will take good care of you!

Faron Salon also carries several top-notch beauty products and supplies. You can purchase MOROCCANOIL, Rene Furterer, Redken, Tigi products and more to ensure that have everything you need to look fabulous at the comfort of your own home.

Needless to say, if you’re looking for a one-stop shop business for your beauty needs in Cambridge, this is the place to go.

Faron Salon offers several additional amenities on top of the great services that it provides. Walk into its doors and you’ll enjoy free Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, and fresh homemade cookies! The atmosphere that the business provides is modern yet welcoming so you’ll feel right at ease when you’re there.

The salon is also sensitive towards women who wear hijabs as well as those who need their privacy. It offers a private room to accommodate their customers who need their own secluded space. Available from Monday to Saturday, the room is open during normal business hours. Just be sure to call ahead and make an appointment to reserve your spot.

Want to learn more? Check out Faron Salon’s website at http://portersquaresalon.com/. Here you’ll be able to get to see its full list of services and prices as well as the products that it offers. Want to get know the stylists at the salon? That’s just one click away!

And the best part is you can even book your appointment online! Just click on the “Booking” link on the site, fill out your information and requested services, then hit submit. Talk about convenient.

Yes, when it comes to finding the perfect salon in Cambridge, MA, look no further than Faron Salon. Give them a call today or visit their website for more details!

Online marketing has continued to change the way that businesses now market and sell their products and services. With mobile search about to outstrip desktop usage and more people shopping online resulting in less people buying on the high street, having an online presence will be vital for those businesses who want to succeed. Below are some of  the most important factors to consider when designing a website for your new business.

Functionality

There is nothing worse than visiting a complicated website and not being able to do what you need to do easily. A website needs to be user friendly and have an easy navigation. Most websites tend to have this at the top or alternatively down the left so it would be wise to follow suit as most people will expect the navigation to be here. There is nothing that makes a person bounce of a website quicker than a confusing site structure or poor navigation. Functionality is about people knowing what to do. Familiarity is really important and people tend to be comfortable with what they know. Having a website that has a responsive design will also be a critical factor. With more people accessing internet via mobile phones and tablet computers, it is important that your website design focuses on how your website will appear on these devices.

Images and Design

The visual impact of a website is very important. With so many great themes from developers such as Studio Press, Woo Themes and Theme forest, website design has become much better and competitive. A poor design can be just as damaging as poor functionality. Images form an important part of a website design appealing to the emotional side of the human brain. Websites that use great images as part of their design will have a better chance of connecting emotionally to their customers. Images that are real and visual will have a greater impact.

Hosting platforms

For any new website, finding a good hosting company will also be important. There are many easy platforms that are user friendly for those with little website or technical knowledge. Both word press and tumbler are easy to use and for beginners, they offer a very simplistic platform with which to add content, themes, plugins and images. It is not necessary to really know html as most of the word press themes used can be installed through a plugin and the layout and design managed through the use of widgets.

Making money

Whatever your website is promoting, it will be necessary to identify your key terms. These will be inserted into your content. Your money terms will be what attract visitors to your website. Through the use of content marketing, link building and SEO, it will be possible to market your website so it achieves better visibility in the search engines. Google analytics can be a great way of identifying what keywords are bringing traffic to your website. This will enable you to plan your marketing strategy. Of course there is no point having a great website if nobody can find it. Outlining your content and marketing strategy will be key considerations when planning the design of your website.

As the digital eco system changes daily, it is important to ensure that you are able to make changes to your website. Of course more complicated systems such as CMS can make this more difficult. Using word press however can be a great way to have a professional looking website that you can easily manage yourself. Design, functionality and content are all important elements that must be taken into account when planning your new website design.

Author Bio

This post was brought to you by company formations 247. For more information on how to register a company or how to set up a new company, visit their website.

Image credit eshedg on Flickr

If you think that your business owner’s insurance policy (BOP) is sufficient to protect you in the event of an accident or emergency, think again. While purchasing a BOP can help you save money on your premiums, it may not be enough to cover every possible risk to your business. You should closely examine your business needs and your current policy to determine whether the purchase of additional insurance is necessary.

What’s Covered by a BOP?

A BOP, much like typical homeowner’s insurance, bundles together several different types of insurance that a business owner may need. Oftentimes, it is cheaper to buy the package than it is to pay for each policy separately. These policies usually include:

• Property insurance, which protects your business property from physical damage caused by the elements, accidents, or crime.
• Business interruption insurance, which covers any losses the business experiences from the time the disruption occurs until the business is back in operation.
• Liability insurance, which covers your financial and legal responsibility should your business cause damage or injury of another party – such as a defective product injuring a customer, an employee falling off a ladder, or a client slipping on your front steps.

What Isn’t Covered?

Your BOP covers your property, your business income, and your liability – so what else is left? A lot, actually. Depending on your industry, your products, and the way you manage operations, there could be a lot of risk left within your business that is currently uninsured. For example: your BOP may or may not include insurance for your business’s cars, trucks, or trailers.

A BOP also rarely ever includes:

• Professional Liability Insurance. If you work in law, medicine, or any other industry that carries high risk for your clients, you will need to protect yourself with professional liability or malpractice insurance. Many states require you to purchase one of these policies.
• Special Events Insurance. If you hold an event away from your business property, your property insurance will not cover any injuries or damage that occurs during or as a result of that event. Many event venues require that you purchase this insurance before you can rent their facilities, especially if alcohol will be served.
• Workers Compensation and Disability. If you have employees, you must purchase workers compensation insurance to protect your workers from on-the-job injuries. Many states also require you to purchase disability insurance as well.

Getting the Coverage You Need

Purchasing more insurance, and paying a higher price for your premiums, can be difficult, especially since Goldman Sachs increased prices for business insurance clients by 5.8% in 2011, the largest rate increase in several years (Traveler Cos). The rates you are offered by insurance companies depend on a number of factors – the insurance carrier itself, the type of business you run, the local cost-of-living, and the amount of risk there is for an accident or other qualifying event.

• Ask your insurance agent if your BOP package can be modified to include or remove specific types of insurance, or if they can offer you a discount rate on your insurance riders. Shop around to see if another company can offer you a better deal on your insurance requirements.
• You can save money by adding additional insurance as a rider on your BOP. You can also reduce your overall risk, and thus your premiums, by installing a security system on your business premises, updating your fire and sprinkler system, and making additional safety improvements to your property.

When auditing your current insurance policy, keep in mind your business’s specific needs. Make sure that your BOP isn’t charging you for insurance you’ll never use, and that it covers you only for the things you need. Whether you need to look for a new carrier, or add additional riders to your policy, will depend on your business’s needs, operations, and budget.

Bio: Megan Webb-Morgan is a business blogger specializing in small businesses and startups. She writes for Resource Nation, a lead generation company that connects businesses to the vendors and services they need. You can follow Resource Nation on Twitter and Facebook.

Marketing is an ever evolving field that has grown more than ever within the past fifteen years.  With the emergence of the internet and the expansion of virtual communication, internet marketing has become the sole form of marketing.

What is Marketing?

Marketing is the relationship a company builds between its product and the customers.  Marketing takes money, time, and a lot of preparation in order to be successful.  An exchange in which you gain value from one another.

Marketing Plans

Marketing plans are what help bring your ideas into action. Setting up a plan is a great way to  stick to your ideas and reach out to a larger target audience.

a.      Set a Goal

Devise a goal that you want to accomplish through marketing. For example, do you want to gain a larger audience? Do you want to get your business of the ground? Do you want to introduce a new product you are releasing?

b.      Develop a Budget

When developing a budget, devise a budget that will help you progress and not give you too many restraints. That being said, don’t overindulge with marketing to the point that you go into debt or are excessive.

Marketing Concepts

• Everyone Can Participate in Marketing Concepts and Pitch Various Ideas
• Identify future needs and predict them

Times are changing

In the past 15 years, marketing has taken a gigantic turn and has evolved into something that is virtually all internet based. Internet marketing is great because it can be accessed from virtually anywhere; on the go from your mobile devise or tablet, from your work desktop, or even from your laptop in a classroom setting.

Internet marketing consists of social media platforms, websites, online advertising, and even virtual stock exchange.  Learning to utilize these tools may seem to be a daunting task but once the simple steps are learned, you can easily take them to a more advanced setting and expand your internet marketing into something greater.

One of the greatest things about internet marketing is that it goes viral instantly which makes you more personable and keeps you current. However, you do have to stay on top of everything in order to make it work effectively.

Jake Magleby has written extensively about effective marketing, sales, and financing strategies to help small business owners succeed in the fast-paced and ever-changing business world. He also has an interest in education and development.

The LocalPAGES team is pleased to announce our Business of the Week winner, The Experience Ink! Located at 15534 Devonshire St., Suite 102, Mission Hills, CA 91345, this is a tattoo shop that is focused on providing not only great works of art, but also events that you can definitely enjoy.

As soon as you walk into The Experience Ink, you get an atmosphere that gives you a comfort in knowing that there is a sterile environment and artists that know exactly what they are doing. You get more than a tattoo shop, though, you get a shop that is more about taking care of customers to the fullest extent and, if you’re into it, they are also a smoke shop, with cigars, e-cigs and more.

Whether you are getting work done by Striker or nE anarchy, you know that you are going to be getting a great work of art that you can show off forever. Together, they have years of experience that shows through every tattoo they do. It’s not just evident through their tattoos, though, as you can see their art that get displayed on their walls through drawings.

The focus on art as a whole is what separates The Experience Ink from other shops out there because they are not just considered tattoo artists. They are genuine artists that just enjoy putting works of art on any canvas they can, be it skin or paper, and letting the world view beauty through their magnificent masterpieces. The talent in art that they contain goes with their friendly nature that allows all of their clients to work with the artists in order to design the perfect tattoo for each individual.

Don’t worry if you aren’t looking for a tattoo or smoke shop, though, you can still head over to The Experience Ink to attend one of the many events they hold such as when they display their own art and art from many of the local artists that participate in The Experience Ink Art Shows. This gives viewers a look into the minds and talent that are the artists at The Experience Ink and beyond to the local areas.

If you are ready to go and get your tattoo done, it is time for you to contact The Experience Ink to work with an artist and get an idea of what you can get done and how much it will cost. The artists are very friendly and will work with you to make everything perfect. Get a hold of them on Facebook or Twitter now to get a look at past work, or just to talk to an artist.

If you’re looking for an amazing tattoo shop in Mission Hills, CA that you know you can count on to be professional, clean and provide you with the best of service, give The Experience Ink a call today at (818) 924-4248 or visit them in store. You’ll be happy with your decision to get lifetime art from people you can trust.

The LocalPAGES team is pleased to announce our Business of the Week winner, Miami Catering Pros! Located at 111 NE 1st St #300C Miami, FL 33132, this reliable catering company can definitely fulfill the food needs of any event!

Whether you’re planning a birthday gathering with just a handful of friends or looking to have a big wedding with tons of guests, be sure to turn to Miami Catering Pros to take care of your culinary needs. This wonderful catering company serves the greater Miami area and boasts of years of experience in the industry.

Their main concern is to keep customers happy and full and they demonstrate this through the utmost professionalism and reliability. If you’re looking for company that would go above and beyond for you and your event, look no further.

Miami Catering Pros can handle the catering needs of any sized event. They offer full-service catering and can handle everything from start to finish. They’ll prepare all the meals, take care of your timetable, adhere to your schedule, and will handle all the setting up and cleaning up that needs to done so you won’t have to lift a finger. They will even provide the staff that you need in case your venue doesn’t have the necessary personnel.

Some of the most popular types of events that Miami Catering can handle include:

Weddings – Have you picked the perfect venue for your wedding reception, but still don’t have the food aspect handled? Not to worry. Give these guys a call and they’ll be right on it with a variety of choices so you can plan your menu.

Baby Showers – A pregnant lady has enough to worry about, but fortunately, food doesn’t have to be one of them. Miami Catering Pros can delight your guests with yummy treats while you all welcome your baby to the world!

Birthday Parties – Whether you’re throwing a huge birthday bash or just having a gathering with your close friends, Miami Catering Pros can ensure that your guests’ plates are filled with delicious eats!

Corporate Events – Giving the office a treat? Then go straight to Miami Catering Pros! Once your employees taste the delectable meals that this company has to offer, they won’t want to go anywhere else!

Didn’t see your event on the list? No worries, just give them a call and they’ll get you set up in no time. They’ll even give you a free quote to ensure that there are no surprises!

Yep, when it comes to an awesome catering company in Miami FL, Miami Catering Pros definitely takes the cake. Contact them today at 786-329-4705.

Are you looking to add some spice into your company’s marketing campaign?

Do you have an online event that you want to promote?

If your answer is ‘yes’, you may be ready to start marketing through a video production company. Video marketing is huge, and don’t let anyone tell otherwise. Here are some statistics that prove the worth of video marketing and why you need to get a video production company.

• Around 45 percent of internet users view at least one video online in a month; on average, a user sees around 32 videos every month
• Over 100 million internet users watch online videos every day, many of whom may be looking for exactly what you are offering
• Around 90 percent of online shoppers say that videos were helpful in making a buying and shopping decision; moreover, retailers with online videos of their products have greater sales revenue than those without videos showcasing their products.
• About 80 percent of internet users recall video ads on websites they visited in the last month, and out of this around 46 percent took action after viewing the video

These statistics unmistakably show the importance of videos for marketing, and here is how you make the best videos for promoting online events or your products/services:

Focus on the target audience

The most effective and compelling videos are the ones that focus on a particular audience. It offers insight and information directly to those who are looking for it the most. In fact, the rules for writing focused and target audience-driven copy hold true when making promotional web videos as well. When you know what the audience wants, you can shape your video content accordingly.

Avoid making it too commercial

People have been watching commercials for decades, so they know how to spot one immediately. Instead of making the usual videos and trying to plug your online event, make a video that is information and related to your industry. People are not just looking to know about you but also learn something new, whether it is funny, interesting, or valuable. In the end, it is this value that gets the traffic to your online event.

Keep them interested AFTER watching the video

It is great to see videos that keep viewers engaged with their content, but you also need to keep them interested after they finish watching the video. You can make it thought-provoking or end the video with a question that prompts them to share their thoughts and answers through comments. Another way to keep things interesting is to create a cliffhanger at the end of videos and make it into a series of promotional videos.

Cliffhangers and open loops have been used successfully for decades to rope in viewers and keep them interested in the content of the video. It creates engagement and also lets you get more traffic for all your videos, which in turn improves the traffic to your online event.

Keep it short and sweet

People have short attention spans, especially when it comes to videos. Videos that last for 20-30 minutes need to be extremely interesting to keep viewers hooked, but for most cases it is best to limit video times to a minute or so. Anything longer than a minute and people are likely to just close the video and move on.

Keep it light

Regardless of the industry, it pays to keep your videos lighthearted. Using humor can really help connect with the audience and help you engage them. A laughing audience is a happy audience, and they associate that happiness with your brand or your event, which is exactly what you want from your video marketing. However, it is important to keep a limit to the humor to prevent your company’s message and brand image from being reduced to just a source of laughter.

The LocalPAGES team is pleased to announce our Business of the Week winner, Sudio FX 101! Located at 1800 Crooks Studio B, Troy, Michigan, 48084, this art, architecture, and special effects studio is known for bringing out the creative juices of its patrons and is clearly a local gem.

Studio FX 101 offers a variety of classes, materials, and equipment to cater to your artistic needs. Whether you’re trying to build a sculpture from scratch or designing a diorama for school or work, you can find everything that you need here.

Want to learn a new artistic skill? Right this way! Studio FX 101 offers Candle Making classes where you’ll be oriented with the basics of candle making, special techniques and more. The studio has numerous candle making classes scheduled throughout the year, and they even have special holiday-themed classes for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, and more so be sure to check them out.

Studio FX 101 also holds classes on Prosthetics, Mask Making, Mold Making, Laser Cutting, Prosthetics, and Sculpting so if you’re looking to design costumes, props, and other special projects, be sure to check out what they have to offer.

On top of classes, this studio also has various art supplies and products for sale. Whether you’re in need of supplies for your architecture project, looking for basic office materials, or are in need of makeup supplies, Sudio FX 101 has them all for you!  In addition, the studio also rents out equipment at affordable rates! For instance, their vacuum chamber can be rented out for $1 per use, while their sewing machine is available at just $2.50. Looking for more equipment to rent out? Just check out their site for the full  list.

If you’re new to Studio FX, then take a virtual tour right on their website to see what the studio, facilities, and classes are like. You can also attend their Expo Event – Studio Workshop – Open House to see the studio in action.

Patrons of Studio FX 101 truly love this biz and have nothing but good things to say about them! In fact, one of our LocalPages members had this to say about them:

They are a one of a kind art studio… Think of the attributes of your own home studio, an arts and crafts supply shop, and a service shop for creative people all rolled up into one location. That’s Studio FX 101.

Yep, if you’re looking for an art studio in Troy, Michigan that can cater to your artistic wants and needs, look no further than Studio FX 101! Give them a call at (248) 247 – 8717 or send an email to teachers@studioandfxlab.com.

So you want to start a business, get out from the rat race, live your own life and work on your own terms? There is just one problem; you’ve only got about a dollar or two to your name. How are you going to start that new, stupendous business without any money and with no viable loan options?

But with over 400 million entrepreneurs around the world; well, let’s just say the statistics prove that lots of people must be doing something right (and without money). There is just no way all of these people have started these wonderful businesses with lots of money to spare; think of Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Michael S. Dell, all multi-millionaires who started their businesses on a shoe string. What is it that these people had that you don’t? Nothing, except the willingness to start (even without money), persistence and passion.

Begin at Home

Starting a business begins with your mindset. When you are determined to do it on your own, you can do it from anywhere – even from your home. Actually, your home and the Internet can be your best friends when it comes to starting an enterprise on a tight budget. You’ll want to use the Internet to get the word out about your services and your home as your office and distribution center.

Instead of wasting money on an office space, put this money towards a fully functional website. Invest in your online presence and customers looking for your services will quickly find you. Besides, with the help of technology and communications services like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), no one will ever know you are working out of your bedroom.

Find Your Passion

Don’t start a business for the wrong reasons. Just because your neighbor is successful in MLM doesn’t mean you will be. You need to start in an industry that interests you. Statistics show that successful business owners are those who love their business; those that believe they offer something of value to the community; those that believe in the service they offer. Follow your heart and interests. Start in an industry you know. Don’t just start a business because you think you have a good idea.

Do Your Research

Jumping in gung ho, ready to go, is not the best idea. People who do this usually end up getting frustrated, which leads them to quit. You must answer the following questions for yourself before you start:

• Is there a demand for my business?
• Am I willing to make the time sacrifice needed to make the business work?
• Am I willing to take on the learning curve to learn all facets of the business?
• Can I compete in the market?

Bottom Line

Anyone can start a successful business, and many very large businesses today started in a garage, dorm or an apartment (i.e. Apple, Dell, Facebook). Starting a business is about having a good idea, remaining motivated, being persistent and keeping your operational costs down during your initial growth.

Shelly Masterson is a business consultant for startups. She frequently shares her business growth tips on small business blogs online. For inexpensive stationary for your business, get your VistaPrint promo code.

Image credit:  Heisenberg Media on Flickr