Business Idea of the Day

Trendspotter Springwise reports that one of the keys to e-commerce success is to ensure that customers know exactly what they’re ordering. That has been an elusive goal for florists, thanks to fluctuations in flowers’ appearance and availability; the result is that customers must typically take it on faith that they’ll get something similar to what they saw online.

It takes a very determined business owner to keep their business growing at a time when so many have gone under and Sandy Keller is one such owner. Sandy is the founder of Advantage Products Group LLC , which is the umbrella company over a series of 7 different online shops. From products for brides to baby clothes, it seems that she might soon have a shop for every niche on the web.

Born Rich: As the luxury travel takes on to woo the elite travelers, British Airways has also introduced their new first class cabin being installed on a B777, which flies from London Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare. The new cabin features a personal wardrobe, a 60 percent wider bed at the shoulders, leather-bound writing table, a 15-inch in-flight entertainment screen, USB port, RCA jack, noise-canceling headsets and personal electronic blinds along with mood lighting. To reach these in-flight luxuries for effortless travel, the design of the cabin is inspired by premium brands like Aston Martin and Jaguar

If you can find and do great, local stuff at home, why not do great local stuff that’s run by local people when you’re away too? Ooh.com is an online notice board and listings site where anyone in the world who offers trips, courses, classes and events can list their activities for free, and take direct bookings and payments through the site and directly from buyers. The site already has over 1000 activities listed

New Startups: Narwhal Company is the inspirational idea of an everyday person that was looking to move away from the 9-5 lifestyle and thrive in their entrepreneurial spirit. Thus, the idea to provide fashionable accessories from the re-use of neckties was born. Narwhal Co. is a unique and green product that hopes to be a catalyst for the funding of domestic and international humanitarian projects. Narwhal Co [New Startups]

“Puppy Tweets” dog’s collar allows dog owners to follow their dog on twitter. This plastic tag (introduced by Mattel), comes equipped with a sound and motion sensor, and with pre-recorded tweets. In accordance to the dog’s movements and behavior, it’ll post tweets to the dog’s Twitter account announcing it status. via: CNNMoney Related trends: Communicating with those who can’t Pets focused devices: * A collar tag from Boston-based SNIF Labs lets pet owners forge new connections with fellow dog-walkers, both online and off. * The Bowlingual Voice bark translator developed by Takara Tomy, a Japanese toy company, is a device that allegedly translates a dog’s bark or feelings into words people can understand.

Trend Friend is an online (and smartphone accessible) gift idea database that allows users to quickly find the trendiest gifts based on their search criteria. The site then lists which physical retailer carries the item allowing buyers to walk into a nearby store and walk out with their gift. The website is the first of its kind to offer consumers accessibility via the Internet and smartphone while linking each gift to a physical retailer. By entering “who” you are shopping for, the occasion and the price (range) you would like to spend, Trend Friend generates a list of the most-popular and trendy gifts from major retailers across North America that fit the selected criteria.

When writing out your 2010 list of business resolutions, AOL Small Business says make sure to include a mobile-friendly Web presence. Here are three ways to get your act together: 1. Hire a Designer Not every small business needs to go out and drop a fistful of Gs on a mobile site, but for some it will make sense. At Accession Media, Katinger works with small and medium business customers who have complex e-commerce requirements

Inhabitat: Here’s a source for gift wrap paper that is as beautiful as it is eco-conscious. Known as The Local Paper , these couture coverings are based on unique themes that are inspired by the designers’ travel, nature, and life. Each elegant wrap comes in 24×36 inch sheets that are Forestry Stewardship Council certified, made with papers that are 30% recycled post-consumer fiber

Iconoculture: It’s hard to speak pretentiously about terroir with secret sauce dripping down your chin. Los Angeles-based Learn About Wine’s Blind Date tastings pair a variety of respectable reds with beloved In-N-Out Double-Double cheeseburgers. The tastings are held on assorted Friday nights in a downtown loft and boast 20 one-ounce blind pours. Each night of the series features a different red: merlot, cab, zinfandel, pinot noir and Rhone. Afterwards the wines are revealed so that tasters can ensure they pair the right bottle with their next combo meal.