Monthly Archive for May, 2009

Announcing the winner of User Feedback Survey

Published
by
LimeExchange
on May 28, 2009
in LimeExchange and Product Update
. 0 Comments

Thank you everyone for participating in our User Feedback Survey!

We received hundreds of valuable responses, which were extremely constructive in helping us shape our plans for the future. We appreciate each one of you, who took out some time and shared your thoughts with us.

We are happy to announce the winner of our User Feedback Survey.

The winner is David Iacona from Garland, United States. Congratulations to David for winning a Brand New iPOD Nano!

David

“I participated in the User Feedback Survey and gave my honest opinion. I am impressed with the new look & feel of LimeExchange and the great combination of services they offer to their users. Hope LimeExchange would emerge as the best online marketplace in the future.” –David Iacona

Choosing a winner out of the multiple responses that we got from our users was a tough task. We shortlisted a few names on the basis of feedbacks provided and randomly picked one lucky winner.

In the feedback survey, users preferred the New look & feel of LimeExchange, they rated grading and certification system to be good and the customer support as extremely helpful.

We would continue conducting more such surveys for our users to understand their needs and expectations from this marketplace.

We will be shipping Ipod Nano to David very soon.

Blog Tools…powerful web publishing!

Published
by
LimeExchange
on May 22, 2009
in Business, Freelance, Knowledge Networking, LimeExchange and outsourcing
. 1 Comment

Blogging…Sharing your thoughts & connecting with target audience

Blogging is a powerful brand-building & promotional tool and serves as a connecting link between you and your customers. It helps you in keeping your finger on the pulse of the target audiences and getting feedback from them. Blogging helps you to speak about the latest events, product launches in your business sphere etc. and build trust in the user community.

If you wish to set up a blog, you’d need a blogging platform to do the same. Based on the analysis of features and usability of the platform, we have listed here some useful technology platforms for bloggers:

WordPress

WordPress , licensed under GNU General Public License, was started in 2003. It was started with one bit of code to ease out the typography of daily writing assignments. The latest version of WordPress, version 2.7.1, has been released on February 10, 2009. wordpress

Features: WordPress, the most popular self-hosted blogging tool, entails multiple features to ease out the functionality and customization of your blog. It’s easy to install and maintain. A large number of plug-ins and features such as templates, themes, visual content editor, spam protection, user registration, trackbacks, pingbacks, password security, multiple authors etc. make WordPress a complete blog service.

The well-developed plug-in architecture of the platform has greatly benefited users and developers. WordPress is available in two forms: (a) open-source blog software package (b) complete web service package

The .org platform needs very less maintenance. However, the best feature about this platform is that it removes the intricacies of coding and the blog can be stand alone or even easily integrated into your current site.

Out of top 100 blogs on Technocrati, 27 are set up on WordPress.

Cost: Setup Free; options for paid upgrades for enhanced functionality

Some Important WordPress blogs: Perez Hilton, Zen Habits, VentureBeat

“WordPress is a great option for people looking to host a blog on their own domain for free.” –Ryan Singel, PC World.

TypePad

As the largest paid blogging service available, TypePad is widely used by web honchos and media agencies such as BBC, CBC, Sky News etc. The platform has been developed by the company Six Apart Ltd. in October 2003 and empowers users to voice their opinions on the social web media. typepad

Features: As a premier blogging service, it enables hosting of blogs and websites of small businesses and is found useful mostly by journalistic bloggers, who prefer simple templates. It has a huge list of features inclusive of customizing your blog design; adding content, pictures, links, and media files; blog from your iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm etc; creating podcasts, adding web pages & widgets; tracking your stats; blocking span etc.

Out of top 100 blogs on Technocrati, 16 are set up on TypePad.

Cost: $4.95 – $14.95 per month (varies as per services chosen)

Some Important TypePad blogs: The Daily Dish, Threat Level – Wired Blogs, Popwatch

“TypePad is the perfect solution for new or experienced bloggers – a simple but robust interface, great customer support. It makes it easy to maintain and improve my blog, letting me focus on my writing.” –Tim Dierkes, MLB Trade Rumors.

Blogger

Pyra Labs launched Blogger on August 23, 1999. Being one of the pioneer blog-publishing platforms, it enabled the popularizing of blogging formats. The latest version of Blogger is Blogger in draft.

Features: Blogger is an easy-to-use blogging platform that allows you to keep a track on visitors, page views, and other important metrics. Blogger has a vast range of features including availability in 41 languages, custom domain option, spell checker, customizing fonts and colors, customization of templates, simple-to-use interface, HTML editor, new post notifications, addition of photos or videos to the post etc. ‘ Blogger is ideal for beginners, who have just started their writing career. blogger

The site is now owned by Google so it’s easier to integrate Google Adsense.

Out of top 100 blogs on Technocrati, 3 blogs are set up on Blogger.

Cost: Free

Some Important Blogger blogs: The Official Google Blog, The Sartorialist, PostSecret

“BLOGGER.COM is part of the Google family, sharing a simple interface and easy-to-use tools like the Google search engine most kids are familiar with. Kids can post thoughts as an online diary, share or log special interests, or start a group blog with friends and family.” —Dana Cotter, Teacher, educational consultant and most recently producer of award winning software titles.

Expression Engine

Engine is a flexible and robust content management system developed by EllisLab, an Oregon-based privately owned company that develops user end software programs written in PHP programming language. The latest version of Expression Engine is 1.6.7.

Features: A feature-rich CMS based blogging platform that enables individuals and SMBs in managing their websites easily. It is an ideal platform for running multiple sites, irrespective of number of domains you wish to run on. It’s an easy-to-use platform where developers can set up the blogs without any hassles and the customer can pick it up from there.

expression engine It has a good range features such as spam deterrents, trackbacks, member management, multi-user system, search engine query tools, comment moderation, expiration and pagination, data caching, security and session management, utility tools, multi-protocol support, web publishing features, template engine, Add-on modules and plug-ins etc.

Out of top 100 blogs on Technocrati, 1 is set up on Expression Engine.

Cost: Free, $99.95—$249.95 (depends on the plan of purchase)

Some Important Expression Engine blogs: Gigazine, CollyLogic, Weblog Design Studios

“ExpressionEngine is an incredible web publishing tool surrounded by growing and passionate community of users and developers. For someone like myself, EE’s robustness and templating system make it a delight to use.” –Eric Barstad, Shadow Box Creative Media.

Now that you have set up your blog on the blogging platform, you’d wish to gain access to all the applications at any given time besides maintaining absolute control over the business management software. Having your blog hosted on your own domain has it’s own benefits.

Where to Host?

Lime Labs LLC has recently launched a one-click web hosting platform, LimeDomains. It provides free one click hosting for applications like WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, Geeklog, osCommerce, Coppermine, Bugzilla, Noah’s Classified, Vanilla, Zenphoto, OSDate etc.

Click here to Get your free blog hosting account.

Announcing The winner of User Feedback Survey

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in our User Feedback Survey. We are pleased to announce the name of winner! The winner is David Iacona from Garland, United States. Congratulations to David Iacona for winning the Brand New iPOD Nano.

How to find clients in the ongoing financial crisis?

Published
by
LimeExchange
on May 20, 2009
in Business, Freelance, SMB, Service Providers and outsourcing
. 5 Comments

“Successful job seekers know that even in tough economic times, there are opportunities. You just have to dig a bit deeper.”
– Roberta Chinsky Matuson, President of Northampton, Massachusetts based Human Resource Solutions.

The current financial storm has adversely affected the economies of almost all the countries across the world. Freelancing has emerged as a good option for many, who wish to play smart in current financial crisis.

The biggest challenge that you may face in freelancing is to find new clients at this hour. As this financial disquiet will take some more time to subside, you must have a well-devised strategy for attracting new clients and orders.

We have listed here some tips that can help you find clients even in today’s economic scenario:

Use social networking tools for marketing

How you choose to market yourself will directly impact how long it will take to find a new job.” — J.T. O’Donnell, a nationally syndicated workplace columnist.

In the existent recession, marketing has to be focused and cost effective. Web gives you adequate social networking tools to market your skill set effectively. social networking You can make a good professional profile on leading social networking websites like LinkedIn, Twitter etc, and collaborate with clients from all parts of the world. This might bring you in contact with a potential client, who may be in look out for a dedicated and competent freelancer like you.

Also, you can register yourself and create an effective portfolio on any online services marketplace like ours. You can get real-time access to projects matching your skill set and get started with making great profits.

Use Word-of-Mouth business strategy

“Customers set up a hierarchy of values, wants, and needs based on empirical data, opinions, word-of-mouth references, and previous experiences with products and services. They use that information to make purchasing decisions.” — Regis McKenna, a well-known marketing guru & Chairman of the Board of the Santa Clara University Center for Science, Technology and Society.

Clients value the feedback that freelancers receive for the quality-backed services they render. Ask the clients, who you have worked with, to post their testimonials and feedback for your work on different forums so that you gain word-of-mouth publicity (a powerful public relations weapon) and gain access to new clients and orders.

The feedback given by the clients that you have already worked with would serve as an index for gaining access to new business opportunities as the work done by you will be recognized by the employers themselves.

Add credibility of your portfolio

If you wish to attract new clients towards your portfolio, you must concentrate on adding credibility to your profile by supporting it with complete description of your skill sets. We would also advise you to prove your credentials to the business community. The best way you can do it is by taking Online Skill Tests and getting a certified seal on your profile.

This strategy can help you reposition yourself in the highly competitive job environment of current times. Further, you can also strengthen your portfolio by getting your credentials verified by an authenticated investigation agency (like Justifacts on LimeExchange). This will serve as a hallmark of trust on your profile and bring you in the front of the queue of bidders.

Stretch your professional limits and competences

Companies have resorted to cost cutting and are on a serious look out for freelancers with multidimensional creative and technical abilities. Pushing your limits can really act as effective ‘gap fillers’ and improve your portfolio. If you’re a freelancer, you need to have more flexibility as compared to full-time employees. Look out for roles that you can play outside your work preferences. money online

“New skills can come from a small part of your job that you most enjoy doing.” – Diane Morgan, Director of Career Services at London Business School.

For example if you are a content writer, you can opt for less-specialized role such as that of a proofreader or an editor. This way you can price your less-specialized role too which you can’t do as a full-time employee as it would fall into your kitty as a part of your overall service.

You may take some time to stretch your professional limits. However, this is not impossible and you should always attempt to learn something new every day to broaden your comfort zone.

Keep in touch with your clients

Always make an effort to remain at the forefront in the minds of clients you’ve worked with so that in future if there comes up an opportunity, it’s your name that certainly comes in the frame instantly. You can stay in touch with your clients and contacts through different means such as emails, calls, social networking tools etc.

business networking You can even post a blog on any theme and send it to your former and future business associates. This can be an effective way to reach out to your clients and keep them interested in your portfolio. You can impress your future clients by sending them updates and latest industry events pertaining to their business domain.

You can further attract your clients by giving them some value-added suggestions regarding their products & services and also recommending them some new features integrating which their business can flourish.

We hope that the above-mentioned practices will help you strengthen your profile as a freelancer and fetch you lucrative projects even in such rough times.

Customer Feedback – Sharing Survey Results

Published
by
LimeExchange
on May 19, 2009
in LimeExchange and Service Providers
. 1 Comment

We recently conducted a customer satisfaction survey, which has provided us some valuable insight and information about our customer experiences, their preferences and behavior.

The customer feedback survey was done over varied parameters, asking the customers about how they visualize an ideal marketplace to work and how we, as an online services marketplace, cater to different needs of our users.

Convenience Matters

When it comes to the interface and outlay of an online services marketplace, users are on the lookout for the following as indicators of a quality marketplace:

• ‘User-Friendly’, ‘clean’, ‘clutter-free’, ‘simplified’ navigation
• Pleasing and simple themes, color schemes and optimal font size
• Wide range of notifications and information

survey1

89% of the total respondents think that LimeExchange’s ‘New look is even better as it is simple, attractive and user-friendly.

Buyers view on online services marketplace

Exchange of services online inherently involves a greater degree of trust and security considerations. A Buyer considers trust/ reputation and security to be the key aspects of an online services marketplace. Here are some important points:

1. Trust/reputation of marketplace- The most important factor for choosing a platform is trust/ reputation of a marketplace. In our survey, 67% of the buyers rated it to be the most important as this ensures that the marketplace is credible, secure and efficient.

Being the latest venture of LimeLabs (a part of Lime group of companies), LimeExchange endeavors to be a community-driven marketplace minimizing risks and optimizing performance of its users.

2. Security- 62% buyers confirm that a marketplace where they are working should be secure and protect their privacy while sharing some confidential information. And also, it provides safe transaction of payments once the project gets completed.

Such needs of buyers are important to us as we provide Escrow-based payment service, and have incorporated some globally accepted payment systems like Credit Card, PayPal and Bank/Wire Transfers.

Plus, buyers can conduct a sample/ pilot project before awarding the project to a shortlisted bidder.

3. Quality of Service Providers: Before selecting any online services marketplace buyers expect to hire the provider with top notch qualities, who they think can carry out project efficiently.57% of buyers agreed to this.

As a marketplace, we understand this requirement of buyers and this is the reason we have partnered with ExpertRating (Online Certification and Employment Testing services) and Justifacts (educational verification services).

ExpertRating provides an array of online skill tests for providers, so that buyers can select certified providers for their project requirements. Similarly, justifacts verify educational credentials of a provider and empowers the buyer to select the genuine provider.

4. Customer Support: The quality of post sale services is as important as the quality of the product itself. 57% of the buyers feel the marketplace should offer adequate support and prompt problem solving services to its users.

CustomerSupport

81% of the total respondents rated LimeExchange’s customer support service between Fair to Excellent!

Service Providers view on online services marketplace

In today’s world, it is imperative to have an online presence especially if you’re a freelancer or a small to medium business.
While creating an online entity, it’s even more important to be visible through the right marketplace-here’s what service providers think:

1. Trust/reputation- Just like buyers, service providers also feel that marketplace with strong reputation helps them build their online credibility. 70% of service providers rated this to be the top most criterion before creating a profile on a marketplace.

2. Fee & Commission: Easy and straightforward pricing is what all service providers look out for. Therefore, it’s important that a marketplace should have simple pricing models which are competitive without compromising on the quality. An impressive 49% of the respondents in the survey agreed.

We also believe that a marketplace should provide an opportunity to earn more and save more. We have easy and transparent Membership plans, which help providers save money and enhance their earnings at the same time.

Providers can also avail a promotional 0% commission offer, wherein we have waived off all project related fees and commission till June 30th, 2009.

3. Tools & features: Availability of effective project management tools, which eases out the workflow, is also essential before opting for any marketplace. 39% of the service providers rated this as a very important factor as it helps in delivering impactful services to the buyer.

As a marketplace it is essential to smooth out the workflow to facilitate the users and to support that we have integrated exclusive project management tools like issue tracker, kickoff checklist, collaboration tools like PMB, IM etc.

4. Customer Support- This factor is equally important for providers as well as 57% of providers also feel that they want their issues to be handled instantly and efficiently.

“Respondents commented that they would recommend Lime Exchange to others because of its Grading certification system, Customer support and Low commission rates, among other things!”

LimeExchange User Feedback Survey

Those were some insights that we shared with you to help you carry out your work requirements seamlessly and create an effective online presence.

We would also like to thank our users for their active participation and valuable feedback. As promised in our previous blog post, a few lucky respondents of the survey will win a Brand New Ipod Nano…Stay tuned we will be announcing the winner by the end of this week.

We look forward to your valuable inputs. Please provide us with yours views, suggestions and feedback.