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Ten Lessons Learned in Internet Business
by Shelley
Lowery
Since starting my Internet business back in 1997, I have learned many
lessons along the way. These lessons have played a major role in my
success, and I'd like to share them with you.
Lesson #1
Collecting your visitors' email addresses should be one of your top
priorities.
Start collecting email addresses the moment you put your site up.
Developing a list of targeted potential customers is an absolute must.
Although publishing an ezine is usually the best route to go, it is not
a necessity. You can use your list to send out web site updates, product
updates, or whatever you'd like.
Lesson #2
Your web site can either make or break you.
A professional looking web site will play a major role in your success.
If you aren't secure in your abilities to design a professional looking
site, you will be much better off hiring a professional.
Lesson # 3
If you want to make a lot of money, you must create a niche.
A niche fills a specific customer need.
People want products and services that fulfill a specific personal need.
If you are the first to fulfill the need, you'll reap the rewards.
Lesson # 4
Generating web site traffic takes a lot of time and effort.
The key to generating a lot of traffic to your site is getting your link
on as many sites as possible. Sure, listing your site with the Search
Engines is your first step; however, you must not solely rely on Search
Engines to bring you traffic.
My two biggest traffic generators are as follows:
Affiliate Program - Having your own affiliate program is one of the best
ways to get hundreds, even thousands of links to your web site.
Providing a Free Product or Service - Providing your visitors with a
free product or service is a great way to drive traffic to your site.
For example, I offer a free article syndication service. This service
provides free content for web sites branded with a link to my site.
Lesson # 5
Selling your own products and services is much more profitable than
marketing affiliate programs.
Some of the top Internet sellers include:
• Software • Information • Private sites • Internet services
Lesson # 6
People do not like to be sold. You will be far more successful if you
have a sincere desire to assist your potential customers. This can be
accomplished by writing informative articles, courses, tutorials, or
even providing advice within discussion forums in your area of
expertise.
Trust plays a major role on the Internet. You must build your
credibility with your target audience.
Lesson # 7
Automation can save you hours of valuable time. Although there are
certain areas of business that must be personally dealt with, there are
many areas that can be completely automated:
• List management • Customer follow-up • Welcome messages •
Thank you messages • Order processing • Order fulfillment • Order
confirmation
This can be accomplished using autoresponders, scripts and software
programs.
Lesson # 8
Organization is an essential part of developing a successful business:
• Create a daily work schedule for an organized approach to each day.
• Use an email program that will filter your messages into specific
folders. • Organize your computer folders and files for quick and easy
access. • Create a "Frequently Asked Questions" page to
lessen support requests. • Create templates for frequently used
messages. • Create a page (residing on your computer) that contains a
list of affiliate programs you're promoting. Include your log-in
information and hyperlinks for easy access.
Lesson # 9
Customer satisfaction and support should be your top priority.
Lesson # 10
You have to spend money to make money. You must be willing to invest in
your Internet business including:
• Computer • Internet Access • Software • Domain Name • Web
Hosting • Education (books, courses, etc.) • Advertising
Lesson # 11 (I know, there were only supposed to be ten, but this
one is important...)
SPAM is a four letter word and will be treated as such.
Although this list is far from complete, these lessons should provide
you with some basic guidelines to assist you in developing a successful
online business.
Copyright © Shelley Lowery 2003.
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of Web Design Mastery - An in- depth guide
to professional web design. And, Ebook Starter - A complete ebook design
kit. Subscribe to Etips and receive a free copy of the highly acclaimed
ebook, "Killer Internet Marketing Strategies." mailto:etips-subscribe@e...?subject=subscribe
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