As part of my Internet business opportunities series I wanted to include a few pieces on some Internet only businesses detailing how they came about and why they are Internet based. This guest post by Duane Jackson of Kashflow follows on from the story of KashFlow:
The UK Small Business Forums came about because my accounting and book-keeping software development company, KashFlow, has now grown to a level where I needed to identify a way to prioritise all the useful product feedback and new development ideas that we actively solicit from our customers.
Having given this plenty of thought I came to the conclusion that the easiest way to do this would be by using a public forum where customers could talk through the potential developments in the software and so I set up The UK Small Business Forums, having purchased an existing SME forum called You Can Get It as a base to start from.
From the moment the forum went live KashFlow customers began talking about wider business issues and so I made the decision to open it up to everyone and not just KashFlow customers.
This has resulted in business owners signing up in their droves to discuss the goings on in the business world. Discussions have ranged from the pros and cons of being VAT registered through to sharing successful marketing ideas.
I don’t think we realised just how much demand there was in the small business community for a free, open and supportive environment in which to bounce ideas around and discuss the burning issues of the day.
What is clear from browsing around the site is that there is already a real community spirit where people help each other out, collaborate on business projects and look at ways in which they can develop and grow their businesses.
At KashFlow we have always invited suggestions for improvements from our customers - we only develop a new feature if enough of our customers are asking for it otherwise we are in danger of having too many useless bells and whistles and losing the simplicity and ease of use for which we are now well known.
What is obvious is that whilst KashFlow now has the development process it needed to move forward, there is this by product in the creation of UK Small Business Forums that is a thriving business community that is helping others to further grow their businesses as well.
This blog is about business opportunities and ideas that I spot, think of or hear about and think are useful and interesting. It is intended to provide ideas and inspriation for you to help you find the right business idea for you to then grow it into a successful business.
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