Get answers to some frequently asked questions.
General Background
Sign Up
Account Management
Profile Management
Goals
Groups
Blogs
Twitter
Networking
Facebook Ad Credit
New Features
Feedback
General Background
What is the Visa Business Network?
The Visa Business Network is a community of small business owners coming together to pursue business goals, grow their businesses, network, and ultimately achieve their goals and move their businesses forward.
What can I do here?
One of the most important things you can do is create a complete business profile—this is a free web page that will help you reach customers online. It allows customers find you in Google search results and can be invaluable in getting new business leads.
We also encourage you to take action for your business by setting business goals and getting support and advice from the community. Get and make comments, and connect with others who are pursuing similar goals.
Recently, we added group functionality to the network. Now you can join or form groups, and have conversations, create events, post pictures, and more within your groups.
Why did Visa create the Visa Business Network?
The Visa Business Network is part of Visa’s dedication to helping small businesses succeed. We realize how important networking is to small business owners offline and increasingly online, considering how the internet is rapidly changing the way business is done. By offering you a social networking tool, we hope we can help you develop closer relationships with customers and other businesses. And by doing so, we hope you'll see many ways that Visa Business helps you grow and manage your business better.
Do I need a Visa card to join?
No, no credit card of any kind is needed.
Are all services free?
Yes, this is a free community for small business owners.
topSign Up
How do I sign up?
Just fill out the required fields, create your password, and you’re done. Your username is your email address.
What information should I place on my profile?
Make sure to include all relevant information about your business—name, years in business, location, address, phone—and add information like your area of expertise. This information will be part of your free web page and will help potential customers learn more about you.
Every month we will feature a new business from the network in our “Featured Business” section. This is a great opportunity to showcase your business. You’ll need to have a completed profile to be considered.
How do you use the information I provide when I sign up?
Visa will only use your information to enhance the network. We track popular trends and industries to help us gauge what new functionality and resources will be useful and aid conversations. We aim to cater this network to meet your needs.
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Can I change information after I’ve created my profile?
Sure. You can always go to “Edit My Business Profile” to change your icon, upload new pictures, add new expertise—whatever information you want to include is always in your control.
topProfile Management
Is there a difference between what members and the general public see on my profile?
Yes. You have a guest profile (what a visitor to the network sees) and a more robust member profile (what someone signed in to the network sees).
Your guest profile is your public web page and can be found in an online search. This is a great way for potential customers to find you. Guests will see your business contact information, business photos, and your goal.
Your member profile helps network members connect with you. Your associates will show up here, as well as your goals and comments.
For both profiles, you can limit the information you want to display. And your email address will never be displayed.
For more details, see our Privacy Policy.
Can I customize my profile page?
Right now you can only change the information you display in both your public and member profiles. But soon, we’ll add features that will let you create a more customized page. Check back often for updates.
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How did you determine the goal categories and goals that are included?
As we introduce goals into the Visa Business Network we’re “seeding” goals, that is we’re including goals that have resonated with small business owners we’ve talked to, and seeing what the community as a whole thinks.
We hope to fine-tune the toolkits and resources we offer based on the goals that find the most support from members.
We encourage your feedback about goals and welcome your suggestions. Remember, you can always pursue your own unique goal on the network.
Why should I create a goal?
We’ve evolved the network to focus on setting and achieving goals. This can help you focus your short or long-term vision for your business.
The advantage of doing it here is the support you can get from the community. Other small business owners can cheer you on—from giving you a “thumbs up” to making comments on your goals. Having a support system like this can motivate and encourage you along the way.
You can also create groups around goals, so you can form even deeper connections with other businesses here. And goal toolkits will give you task lists and other resources to work with. Soon, you can even create your own toolkits to share with the community.
How do I comment on a goal?
You must be a member of the network and signed in to comment on a goal. Just click “Add a Comment” and write your words of encouragement, advice—whatever positive information you’d like to add. You can also click on the “thumbs up” icon to quickly support a goal.
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How do I join a group?
On the Groups tab, you can search for groups that match your interests, or scroll through all the groups on the network.
Once you find a group you’d like to join, simply click “Join This Group.” If it’s a public group, you’re ready to participate. If it’s a privately moderated group, you’ll have to get the approval of the group’s moderator first.
Remember, you must be a member of the network and signed in to join a group.
How do I form a group?
When you’re signed in to the network, go to the My Groups section in the Groups tab. Click the “Start Your Own Group” button. You’ll be able to name your group, select an image or avatar, create a description of your group, tag it, and designate your visibility. Click “Create My Group” and you’re ready to go.
topBlogs
Why should I set up a blog on my profile?
Blogs are a great way to start and maintain a conversation with customers and potential customers alike. Having a sale? Get in some great new products? Want opinions on what you’re doing? By keeping a blog, you can post information and get feedback from the people who matter most: customers.
How do I set up my blog?
To create a new blog, just click “Add a Blog.” You’ll be asked to name your blog and provide a short description. Hit “Create Blog” and you’re ready to post entries.
If you already have a blog, you can easily add the feed to your Visa Business Network profile. Just provide the blog address and click “Add Blog” and your posts will appear on your profile.
topWhy should I have a Twitter feed on my profile?
Twitter lets you reach out instantly to customers with information, deals, questions—anything about your business. So having your feed on your profile makes you more accessible and engaged with your customers in real-time, right on the Visa Business Network.
How do I set up my Twitter feed?
You’ll have to have a Twitter account to show your feed on the Visa Business Network.
If you already have a Twitter account, just go to the Twitter settings page, enter your Twitter username, check the “Show Feed” box, and click “Add Feed.” If you’re not already a Twitter user, you’ll have to set up a new account first at Twitter.com. Click the “Join Twitter” button to begin.
How do I remove or hide my Twitter feed?
You can easily change your Twitter settings from your business profile. Just go to “Twitter Settings” and remove your Twitter username from the input box, and uncheck the “Show Feed” box.
topNetworking
What does it mean to “Invite Associates?”
When you send an invite to an associate this means you want to start a conversation with them. When an invitation is accepted you are able to send messages to each other. And our search functionality makes it easy to find businesses like yours or near you.
Why and how should I connect with other businesses?
There are many reasons why you may want to connect with other businesses. Exposure to possible new clients, get advice from fellow businesses—especially ones in your industry—and share success stories. Speaking with other individuals working towards similar goals is one of the best ways to learn how to run a successful business.
Use the search feature to locate relevant Visa Business Network members. Then send an associate request with a brief statement as to why you want to connect.
How do I search for other businesses?
The “Find a Business” link in the Networking tab allows you to search for businesses by city, type, state, size, number of employees, type of office, and more.
Our goal with these fields is to provide enough information to allow connections between similar businesses for advice and partnerships. If you would like to see an additional search field included, please let us know.
topFacebook Ad Credit
How can I get a $100 Facebook ad credit?
Facebook ad credits are available to new members of the Visa Business Network who join our community on July 31, 2009 or after. If you're not currently a member of the Visa Business Network, now is a great time to join.
If you are eligible, there are three steps to receive your ad credit:
1. Click the “Learn More” link in the message on the homepage that calls out the Facebook ad credit.
2. Click the “Send My Ad Credit Now” button and a coupon activation link will be sent to your email.
3. Check your inbox for the email. Click on the coupon activation link to redeem the credit on Facebook.
How can I redeem my $100 ad credit?
Simply click the activation link provided in the ad credit email and the coupon will be applied when payment is requested by the Facebook advertising system. Please note you will need to have a credit card on file with Facebook to start advertising.
If you have problems redeeming your ad credit, please click here to contact Facebook directly.
Do the ad credits expire?
Yes. Your free ad credit turns off 30 days after the delivery of the ad credit activation link to your email. To take advantage of the full $100, all must be spent within this 30-day window. The $100 credit will expire within these 30 days regardless of whether or not the ad credit has been activated.
Are the ad credits valid worldwide?
Though any business throughout the world can receive ad credits, the credits can only be applied to ads running in the US.
topNew Features
What are you adding to the Visa Business Network?
We’re always refining and enhancing the network and there are some exciting changes on the way. Check back often for new features and updates.
topFeedback
What if I have other questions not addressed here?
As we continue to improve functionality, add features, and fix bugs for future upgrades, any feedback you can provide will be useful. Click on the “Give Feedback” link in the footer. Be sure to include your email address so we can reply.
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