Microsoft, the world’s biggest software maker is so much in love with Yahoo that it seems to be paving the way for a takeover of Yahoo.

It is common knowledge that Steve Ballmer, the chief executive office at Microsoft gave Yahoo a deadline to accept their $44.6 billion bid; however they Yahoo was not keen on going through with the deal and had not responded to Microsoft.

Microsoft is weighing the two options left for them – to let go or begin a hostile takeover battle. If they decide on fighting the crucial point is what they are going to offer the shareholders, whether they are going to stick to the original bid or increase the bid to win the shareholders over.

Microsoft has been looking to gain more foothold of the internet advertising market, with more searches, sell advertisements with more videos and graphics, and this is currently dominated by Google. The only way they can do this with the help of Yahoo and this is the reason Microsoft just cannot afford to let Yahoo go.

Having spent a billion dollars creating a web search engine and technology to sell ads, buying internet companies such as Yahoo and AQuantive would give Microsoft the prestigious No.2 spot in the $41 billion online ad market.

If we compare Google and Microsoft, while Microsoft faced losses of $228 million at Redmond, which is Microsoft’s Washington based internet business with sales of $843 million; Google, owner of the most used internet search engine had $3.7 billion in revenue, excluding the sales passed on to partner sites.

Google is much ahead of them because internet is all about advertising, and advertising linked to search results accounts for more than half of internet ad sales. According to researcher ComScore, Google handled six times more queries in the US in March than Microsoft. (more…)

It’s always a bit poignant when a staple of an industry begins to struggle. Yahoo.com, or just Yahoo, has been a landmark of the internet for years. The fact that the site has been so well-known for more than a decade gives it distinguished status in the online realm. Perhaps it is simply time for Yahoo to fade gracefully from the forefront of search engines, or perhaps Yang, the Yahoo CEO, is to believed when he claims the future is bright for Yahoo – once they finish a much needed revamp.

Recent Events

In very recent news, Yahoo has announced substantial layoffs. 1,000 employees will be laid off in the near future, although some will have an opportunity to be rehired back into the company in a different area. The news about layoffs was no surprise following the rather dismal fourth quarter. On Tuesday, January 29, Yahoo announced after hours that profits of the fourth quarter of 2007 had fallen by almost 24%. The company also said the earning for 2008 would be below analysts’ estimates. On Tuesday evening, Yahoo’s stock immediately began to suffer.

When the markets opened Wednesday, Yahoo’s stocks fell to their lowest point since 2003. Shares of Yahoo were trading as low as $18.58, and closed at $19.05 for the day. Yahoo is still considered a stock to buy, but many analysts are cautious. (more…)

The internet is huge and is recognized by most businesses as one of the most effective means of communication and marketing available. Traditional marketing is good, but internet marketing can be more cost effective and efficient. That being said, the internet can also create a sticky solution for businesses as companies must plan an effective online presence, build the right site and maintain all records and activities.

Even offices that have minimal internet activity must still have internet available to a variety of things from printing postage stamps and shipping rates to ordering supplies and equipment. Allowing the internet into a business setting requires additional foresight and planning. What is the best provider? What concerns should you have with business access? What should you do to protect your system and files?

Getting a storefront set up on the internet and simply using the web as part of the normal office routines has become commonplace. Internet sales or information are as normal as brick and mortar stores and brochures, so it’s no wonder things are getting more digital every day.

Make it Work

Making the internet work for you should be simple. There are plenty of companies offering access and service on the internet, and even more offering to help take your business online. There are many decisions and aspects of planning that must be made when you’re ready to take a business live on the internet.

Playing it Safe

The internet is terrific for business, but can be dangerous as well. Connecting to the internet leaves the company vulnerable to viruses, hackers and any number of other web based problems. Be sure your company is protected as well as possible.

The internet is important to almost every field of business. Find what you need to make the word wide web work for you in the Internet section.