Going online (virtual business)

[ILLMAS]

My city/state has been ravished (many long time businesses are closing) by Covid and who knows when things will be go back to normal, and I am thinking of having someone creating a website where my clients can click and submit their documents via a secured drive.  I really don't care for a website, but does anyone here have a sharedfile account without a website?  

[Lion EA]

Your tax prep software or internet provider or...might have a simple website that includes a simple portal. I use CCH's SiteBuilder website that includes FileShare. If you're an NAEA member (or NATP?) you can use Verifyle as a free member benefit to communicate securely with your clients, including exchanging documents. No clients came to my home office this year! They uploaded to FileShare, mailed, faxed (I use eFax right into my computer), FedEx/UPSed, and even dropped through the large mail slot in my front door (I let those papers sit in my entryway for three days). I have clients from CA to CT, FL to MA, TN to CO, 13 states in all.

[Abby Normal]

2 hours ago, ILLMAS said:

has been ravished

I think you were going for 'ravaged.'

And, sorry to hear about your area having a rough go of covid.

[ILLMAS]

2 minutes ago, Abby Normal said:

I think you were going for 'ravaged.'

And, sorry to hear about your area having a rough go of covid.

Yes, you are correct, sorry about that.  And yes, it sad seeing restaurants (apart of people passing away due to Covid) closing, just in these past days they have announced two long standing restaurants to close after many years of business:

 

https://chicago.eater.com/2020/9/8/21427128/ronnys-steakhouse-closing-downtown-loop-chicago

https://chicago.eater.com/2020/9/21/21448969/lawrys-the-prime-rib-chicago-downtown-closing-pandemic-coronavirus-steakhouse

[Lion EA]

Lawry's is closing?!

[ILLMAS]

1 hour ago, Lion EA said:

Lawry's is closing?!

Sad I know, but what made it worst was the looting of stores on Michigan Ave twice, it's now become a ghost town.  Here you can see multiple videos of what happened back in June and just last month:  https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=looting+michigan+avenue+chicago

[Lion EA]

That makes me so sad, I have no words. I hope you're staying safe and well.

[Max W]

You can get an inexpensive website here that comes with a portal.

https://getnetset.com

[BulldogTom]

35 minutes ago, Max W said:

You can get an inexpensive website here that comes with a portal.

https://getnetset.com

That is what I have.   It has a good portal, but the app for phones is a little clunky.   My millennial clients don't like the app.

Tom
Modesto, CA

[ILLMAS]

On 9/22/2020 at 2:46 PM, ILLMAS said:

Yes, you are correct, sorry about that.  And yes, it sad seeing restaurants (apart of people passing away due to Covid) closing, just in these past days they have announced two long standing restaurants to close after many years of business:

 

https://chicago.eater.com/2020/9/8/21427128/ronnys-steakhouse-closing-downtown-loop-chicago

https://chicago.eater.com/2020/9/21/21448969/lawrys-the-prime-rib-chicago-downtown-closing-pandemic-coronavirus-steakhouse

Add another tourist restaurant to the list:  https://chicago.eater.com/2020/5/12/21254955/chicago-restaurant-closings-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR0N8mMI7_gcXpQ2_fkKDamOHY6DO4r8C4wchAnUHaaLov766LxoeZF7fq4

[Lion EA]

Thank you for the updates.

My sister still lives in the house where we grew up in Bellwood. I attended Proviso East/Maywood and Proviso West/Hillside (they moved the boundary line) High Schools and worked at Marshall Field's in Oak Park. Growing up, I liked nothing better than to take a bus and the L into the Loop on Saturdays to use the Chicago Public Library and go to a museum and window shop and eat lunch at Marshall Field's. My sister -- pre-pandemic and when she could walk better -- enjoyed the Chicago scene for cultural events followed by good restaurants with her friends (they called themselves the Marching & Eating Society). I need to call her this weekend.

I own farmland (corn & beans) in Montgomery County that my grandfather purchased in the 1880s or earlier, only a few acres as I have five cousins who received part of the farm also. I root for the Cubs and the Bears and belong to a Facebook group called I Grew Up In Bellwood, Illinois. You can't take IL out of the girl. I graduated from Michigan State way back in the 1960s. I miss the Midwest.

[Lee B]

Interesting, I grew up on a farm about 90 miles SE of MSU and I don't miss the midwest at all.

I definitely prefer Oregon.

[Lion EA]

I hear Oregon is a beautiful state. Lots of green. Except during wildfires! With a temperate climate that I would probably prefer.

I do love CT, but it's expensive. And, Fairfield County is snobby. Now that 10,000 New Yorkers fled to our area during Covid, the attitude is even worse. And, hurricanes!

I miss the friendliness of the Midwest. And, my sister and cousins in IL. The Art Institute. But, not the rioting. I remember Chicago during the Democratic Convention in the 1960s, I think. But, the mob mentality is so much worse now, everywhere.

I also lived in CA for a decade. I found that all the friendly people I met there had come from the Midwest.

[Lion EA]

Here's a webinar that has a strong commercial element, but it's free (I think). You should be able to get some good ideas.

https://practiceignition.zoom.us/webinar/register/1316007117987/WN_Z_2atlMCSymM2pcUpCJGIw