| Being a business startup can be an exciting time; it can | | | | device will put you through to the desired desk in 10 |
| be so exciting, it can get positively hair-raising | | | | seconds. If you went the straight route, you'd probably |
| sometimes when you know you need to save on | | | | be on hold for at least three minutes. Now still on |
| expenses, and everything you look at seems like an | | | | phones, what if you need a phone tree for your small |
| essential. Here are a bunch of great free (or nearly so) | | | | business? That could be an expensive investment. Use |
| online tools that help you really shave those expenses | | | | Google Phone instead. Not only is it free inside Gmail, it |
| and directs them somewhere they will be a lot more | | | | allows you to receive a call in the program, and at the |
| useful. | | | | touch of a button transfer it to any cell phone without |
| Let's start with Demandbase. This is an inexpensive | | | | disruption. All the receptionist would have to do would |
| tool that checks the IP address of every visitor on | | | | be, to say to a caller, "Would you mind holding, let me |
| your website. It looks up those IP addresses on a | | | | put you through to the person in charge", and the |
| database to find out what major corporation it belongs | | | | person in charge of the department in question would |
| to, and gives you a list. If you run a successful startup | | | | have his cell phone ring right away. Who needs a |
| in fast food for instance, and demand base lets you | | | | phone tree anymore? |
| see that there are visits to your website from the | | | | Hiring a coder to make or customize software for |
| Microsoft building down the street, and an important | | | | your business can be an expensive proposition. How |
| defense supplier on the next block, you know that | | | | about hiring on TopCoder direct instead? It's like eBay. |
| there is interest there, and you can try calling them or | | | | You just go on the website and put in your |
| advertise for them. They'll give you a list of all the | | | | requirements, and watch the offers pour in. You could |
| companies that have been visiting you, and for less | | | | probably get a website done for a couple of thousand |
| than two dollars, they'll give you the name and contact | | | | dollars. |
| information of some lead in the company that they | | | | And finally, for harried business startups that do all the |
| believe was doing the visiting. | | | | packing and shipping from home, think of how efficient |
| A phone tree happens to be a great time sink for | | | | and inexpensive things could get outsourcing fulfillment |
| anyone at a small business trying to call a big | | | | to Amazon. All you need to do is sign up to be an |
| corporation to reach someone. Get Fonolo instead. | | | | Amazon merchant; you will still buy and own your |
| This little tool has the entire phone tree in several | | | | inventory, but Amazon will take care of the logistics. |
| hundred companies mapped out. You just get the app | | | | They will give you their free Super Saver shipping and |
| from your iPhone, look up the exact desk at the | | | | all you do is pay a monthly fee. Think of how much |
| company you're interested in on the screen and the | | | | time it could save you. |