I'm not sure if my memory is really that bad, or if they just put my mind at ease, but lists have always served me well.
Today I'm putting my "master list-making skills" to work for online business owners like myself. Whether you're a newcomer to the online business world or you're already engaged in a cyberbusiness, the following list should be on your desktop. It contains only the key items that make an online business tick.
Take a look at any successful online business. Nearly all of them utilize each and every item on this list. Do yourself a favor and print it. Until you can put a check next to each item, you're missing out on a real key online business component!
A
real ISP.
This may sound like a no-brainer, but if you're trying to do business
online, you need unlimited, fast access to the internet. Be sure
that you are able to use a 3rd party email program (see next checklist
item) with their services. You also need an ISP that allows you
to send as much email as you want.
Additional
Info
A
professional email program.
Are you still using AOL email for business? If so, you're missing
out on lots of features that many savvy business owners rely on
daily. Things like auto message filtering, blind carbon copying,
auto-reply, multiple mailbox pickup just to name a few. A professional
email program will allow you to utilize the low-cost e-marketing
methods that are essential to your online business success.
Recommended
Email Program
A
professional webmaster or web design software.
A professional-looking website is a must in order to survive online.
Unless you can learn to design a professional website yourself,
you'll need the help of a webmaster or at the bare minimum a design
program. The easiest route is to hire a webmaster with experience
and a proven portfolio.
Web
design software for do-it-yourselfers
Experienced
webmasters for hire
Your
own domain name.
Although it seems cruel, the bottom line is this... If your company
won't spring for a domain name at $35 a year, many potential customers
will think twice before they even click to your site, let alone
buy from you.
Resources
and additional info
A
merchant account and secure credit card ordering.
In order to make a serious income online, you MUST have a merchant
account so that you can accept credit cards. Additionally, secure
credit card ordering must be enabled at every business site. Every
product or service you offer should display an "order"
button that links to your secure order form.
Resources
and additional info
An
online shopping cart system.
A good shopping cart system gives you control over your products
and services AND makes shopping at your site simple. Be sure to
implement a system that is easy to set up and maintain.
Resources
and additional info
Free
subscriptions.
A constant flow of current information will keep you informed. I
subscribe to over 100 free newsletters. Although I don't have time
to read every issue of every ezine, I do make a point to at least
scan them for new and important industry news and articles.
Resources
and additional info
Proprietary
products and services.
The best way to maximize profits, whether in the real world or online
is to offer at least one product or service that you own the rights
to. Either create something that the market demands or purchase
exclusive rights.
Resources
and additional info
A
reseller program.
Call it what you want -- an affiliate, associate or reseller program.
Your site needs one! This allows your happy customers to refer others
to your site and earn money in the process. In turn, your marketing
efforts are multiplied over and over. The reason you're seeing affiliate
programs popping up at almost every major site, is because they
work!
Resources
and additional info
Add-on
products and services.
From the other end of the reseller spectrum, you should always try
to offer your customers products and services related to your own.
Concentrate on products that create residual income for your company,
such as web hosting services or software.
Resources
and additional info
Regularly
scheduled email releases.
The best way to accomplish this is via your own email newsletter
or tip sheet. Whether you "stay in touch" weekly or monthly,
the key is to do it regularly and offer something that people will
want to read!
Resources
and additional info
Mission
essential software.
Before you try to succeed at online marketing, get the right tools
for the job. There are software titles available on the internet
that will do just about any task you can imagine. Utilize the new
by downloading and sampling different tools for the task at hand.
Example: If you're a web designer, you'll need graphics programs
and html editors!
Resources
Additional
resources
A
real-world catalog.
Do you have something you can send to interested parties who find
your website? Do you have a hard-copy catalog to send to people
who purchase a product or service from you? With many businesses
being started online, this important component is missing
from their business plan. I know first-hand, I'm designing my catalog
now - almost three years into my business venture!
Additional
Info