Author: Zealus

Categories
outsourcing

Mysteries at stores

Shopping could be a good experience. It also could be a disaster (just think of your budget after Christmas and New Years for a moment!). Some people make it a mystery. I am talking about companies that provides mystery shopping service.

Now, this marketing research technique is nothing new, but if you really want to get to know what is going on in the field – you have to go to the field. Some of us, business owners, simply cannot afford such a luxury. That’s where mystery shopping service comes into play.

Sounds like fun if you know how to deal with all the data.

P.S. For those who are interested in how this stuff works – there is always a chance to apply online to become a secret shopper. Not sure about the benefits package, but definitely something to think about once the retirement would feel closer.

Categories
zealus.com

Cleaning Up

    Lack of action leads to actions lacking sense. Christmas and New Years happen to be very close, so all operations at Zealus were a bit slow. Which led us to a (not so bright idea) to reanimate an old forum that was set up for Russian community web site that never took off.

So the forum has been set up and is operational under new name – Zealus Community Forums. Registration, of course, is free, but there will be paid areas eventually. Right now there is a paid forum with expired domain names updated daily. Subscription costs $5.99 per week or $19.99 per month and readers of this blog may contact me directly for 20% discount on monthly subscription.

There will be, also, some areas for our clients’ discussion forums. They not necessarily may be in English, so don’t get scared right away.

Categories
business zealus.com

WordPress or Joomla?

When choosing a Content Management system for your web site it is usually a good idea to ask yourself – what is the problem you are trying to solve?

Most people (as I noticed on several message boards) make same mistake – they try to figure out what software they need to make money online. “I want to create a community, what software do I need?”. First of all – what kind of community is it going to be? Writers? Photographers? Make-up artists? Everyone has a different requirement, and different level of knowledge. Photographers are a little easier to please, as they are used to complicated and cumbersome camera controls, but try to cater same interface to a community of models and make-up artists (same industry, after all) and you will be hit with an outcry for mercy.

Management 101: Before offering a service think – what is the problem the service is going to solve. If you have the answer to this question – you will find tools in no time.