There's a new website that's paying $10,000 every month for the best new ideas (as determined by popular vote) for existing businesses, non-profits, inventions and startups. It's called Ideablob.com, and it was created by Advanta, one of the nation's largest small business credit card issuers. Great fun! See more details in this week's Fast Track section. Our how-to guides will help you compare merchant account rates, boost online customer service, buy domain names for profit, save money on office equipment and create the perfect business card to help get 2008 off to a great start for your business. Got great solutions or ideas for business? Send 'em.

Money & Finance
How to Compare Merchant Account Rates
By Ty Hardison
It can be difficult to compare quotes from one merchant account to the next. The problem is that most merchant account providers quote a qualified "rate as low as" price then surcharge "non-qualified" transactions. If you’ve been asking "what's your rate?" then you are likely contributing to the problem. First recognize that as a merchant, you will accept a diverse mix of credit and debit cards for payment. Failing to find out how specific card types like signature debit, rewards, enhanced, world, business, corporate and others will be billed leads to higher bottom line costs: Read Full Guide

Ecommerce Edge
Improving Internet Customer Service
By Justin Palmer
When you consider the competitive advantages of an online retailer, customer service is usually not the first thing that comes to mind. Many e-commerce sites, even the large well-known ones, are known for impersonal, mediocre customer service practices. And yet, the few e-tailors that differentiate themselves on serving their customers, such as Zappos, become well-known case studies in client care. In this guide I'll share some of the unique best practices I've seen over the last few years that serve to differentiate companies in online customer service: Read Full Guide

Startup Success
Investing in Domains for Profit
By Jeff Behrendt
Investing in web domains can yield dramatic returns - perhaps even higher than investing in stocks, bonds, real estate and precious metals. The reason for this is that when buying a domain name, you literally purchase a piece of the internet. As economic activity and marketing move online more and more, the value of domains will continue to go up. Here are the resources you need to start investing in domains: Read Full Guide

Cutting Costs
Saving Money On Office Equipment & Supplies
By Pam McFadyen
One of the easiest and most overlooked ways to reduce the cost of your office supplies and equipment is to purchase them online. You may be surprised at how much you can save on both small items like paper and ink, and large items like computers and printers, just by spending a few minutes looking for deals online. But there is more than one way to save money when shopping online. The key to finding a deal is not only knowing where to look, but also knowing what to look for: Read Full Guide

Marketing Moves
The Perfect Business Card
By Michael Wissot
Most corporate executives associate “business cards” strictly in terms of the exchange. Ask most home business professionals, and they will likely amend that answer with the creative element. It makes sense. Corporate executives -swapping personal business cards at a dizzying pace - usually receive their cards from their human resources department. But when you're the CEO, HR Manager and Creative Director in one single role, the process becomes a bit more complex. As sole decision-makers, home business professionals understand the impact that every strategy has on their enterprises. Designing and printing the perfect business card is certainly no exception: Read Full Guide

Ideablob is one of the most interesting new entrepreneurship websites to come along in a long time. It's a place where entrepreneurs and small business owners can share and grow business ideas -- and have a chance to win $10,000 toward making them come true. It works like this: You submit your business ideas, and based on votes from the ideablob.com online community - which includes other innovators as well as friends, family, colleagues, teachers and mentors - one idea every month will win the $10K. Even if you don't enter an idea, it's interesting just to browse the startup concepts and business ideas that are posted on the site.

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