12 steps to create an online business
“Electronic Commerce”
A word that pervades our society, making headlines all over the world.
world, and causing the stock market to rise and fall with
ease of departure.
It seems that all business news focuses on some
technology company “DOT-com” or “DOT-bomb”!
With all the uproar both positive and negative, business owners
companies of any size can raise their hands and feel the
The “E” world has left them behind.
All business owners, vendors or professionals asked a question
of two questions in the past year, either “Am I using e-
trade correctly?” or “How do I effectively engage
in e-commerce?
You can buy hundreds of books and pay thousands in
consulting fees to analyze and discuss the response to the
first question.
To answer the second question just follow these 12 steps.
Step 1 – Buy a domain name (your own DOT-com). Gonna
http://www.NetworkSolutions.com and research names. can a customer
easily spell and remember?
Step 2 – Write your goals online and set a time and
money budget
How soon do you want your eCommerce site up and running?
How much will you spend?
How many hours will you spend on the site and when?
Step 3 – Browse the web to find other sites you like and
dislike. Learn from the successes and mistakes of others by taking
the best of what their sites offer and tailor it for your
own use.
Step 4 – Design your site on paper. Define elements, appearances,
touch, colors, etc.
Step 5 – Hire a professional to set up the graphics and
browsing, but with the intent that you or your staff
maintain daily site operations, communication
and updates
Step 6 – Invest in a Digital Camera and Web Publishing
software such as Microsoft Front Page or Adobe Acrobat to
keep up with site maintenance.
Step 7 – Maintain, Change, and Update Your Site at Least
once a month. (The only exception to this rule are those
page, sales letter websites. Once you have one of those
works well and generates sales, don’t change it!)
Step 8 – Promote your site at every opportunity. tell the people
resulting. Put your web address on your business cards and in
all your ads. Some companies even advertise their website
address when you are put on hold on the phone.
Step 9: Give people an interested reason to visit your
place. Coupon savings, discounts, special incentives, free
information and free newsletters represent excellent
incentives to attract visitors to your site.
Step 10 – Focus on getting an email address from
every customer and potential customer.
Obtain permission to send periodic value-added shipments to
your database
Use a listserv to organize and maintain your mail
list.
Step 11 – Always find and use the simplest solution or
option.
Whether you’re adding a shopping cart, database, or another option to
your e-commerce operation, find and use the simplest
response to your needs.
Step 12 – Educate yourself and stay current in the world of
electronic commerce
Learn online marketing and sales techniques
world.