Picking up from where we left off in the first part of this article, here we continue with the remaining 5 important points.
6) Tools & Support
Autoresponders, domains, web hosting, payment processors are some of the basic building blocks or business infrastructure that you need in order to make a serious presence in cyberspace.
Finding the right service providers for your internet business is akin to finding the right materials to build a house. Get the wrong ones and everything will come crumbling down right before your eyes.
Exercise some due diligence here and take some time to do your research on the net or participate in internet marketing forums and ask around for recommendations. Most of the time, you'll find quite a number of people more than willing to give helpful recommendations and advice based on their own experience.
7) Innovation
This is another pitfall to look out for. If you're serious about your internet business, complacency is not an option. I repeat, complacency is not an option.
When this happens, your business will remain stagnant, move on a plateau and eventually fade away into the abyss.
Konica Minolta, a leading company in the photo imaging industry sent shockwaves worldwide when it announced its withdrawal from the camera and photo business last year, citing difficulties in providing timely competitive products in today's era of digital camera revolution.
Ensure that your internet business remains relevant by being innovative. Pay attention to rapidly evolving market and technology trends and use that information to your advantage to plan not one, but three steps ahead.
8) Customer/Prospect Relationship Management
This is no secret. You can have the best product out there on the market, but if you do not put in any effort to build a relationship with your customers/prospects, your business will end up being a one-time wonder at best.
Most seasoned internet entrepreneurs would agree that it is much harder to generate new customers as compared to servicing current ones. There are several ways you can connect and develop a long term, mutually beneficial relationship online with your customers/prospects.
One way is to keep in constant contact via emails through newsletters, follow-ups and post sales surveys & feedbacks. In addition, you may want to consider setting up a forum and interact regularly with them. Establish customer loyalty and you'll discover that they have the potential to significantly contribute to the longevity of your business, be it through repeat sales or referrals.
9) Integrity
I'll keep this simple and to the point. It is of utmost importance that you maintain a positive reputation in the internet realm. Word spreads extremely fast in cyberspace and before you know it, the damage has been done.
Aim to resolve outstanding issues with your customers or critics in a timely, tactful and manner. Look at it as an opportunity for your professionalism to shine through and further enhance your credibility.
Another thing that you should bear in mind - Keep and deliver your promises promptly, over deliver whenever possible. Customers love it when you exceed their expectations.
10) Website Promotion
Last but definitely not least, you need to let the world know that you're in business, otherwise all that hard work would count for nothing.
Drive traffic to your website and you increase the chances of making sales which in turn bring in the profits. Again, there are a number of ways to achieve this but the more popular methods are:
i) Writing quality articles and submit them to article submission sites; ii) Writing press releases and submit them to press release sites; iii) Contribute and participate actively in forums; iv) Advertise in online classifieds; v) Setup a blog and actively contribute to the blogging community.
Now if you've read this far without breaking a sweat, half the battle has been won. The next step is to make things happen. The reason you're reading this article is because you desire change so stop procrastinating and start doing something productive that will make a positive impact in your life.
My personal advice would be to gradually build your internet business while keeping your day job until you've reached the stage where you can afford to fully commit yourself to your internet business. Most successful internet entrepreneurs chose this path to be where there are today.
Remember, the only thing that stands between you and success is - you.
Fwahmi Avessel resides in Singapore and is currently an independent researcher on internet integrated marketing communications, new media technology, development & innovation.
About the Author
Recommended Resource:Wondering where to start looking for the key resources to help you run your internet business? Well respected internet marketer Mike Filsaime's The Resource Report will help you save valuable time as well as point you in the right direction.
