Online Business Fundamentals

An online business is like a machine. How? A machine is made up of different parts without one of those parts the machine will not work; it is the same thing with an online business. An online business is made up for three primary parts. All of these parts must work harmoniously in order to create a successful online business.

If you are a budding entrepreneur then you must know these three basic things that make up an internet business. These are:

1.The product or service that you offer. This aspect of your online business is a two-way street. Some people say that having a great product/service is enough because it will sell by itself. You do not have to put much effort into it because things will work out just fine. Others said that no matter how awful the product/service is if you have a great sales person then it will sell. Always keep in mind that these two things are important, for maximum results you would have to consider both things: product and how you sell it.

Look at it like this: great product and lousy seller results are not good. Great seller and ordinary product (something offered by 1,000 other sites) results are not so good as well. What I am pointing at is that there should be balance between the two. I would have to say that a combination of average product and sales person is better than an imbalance of one or the other.

2. Marketing and sales. Let me just clarify this: sales and marketing are two separate things. Marketing is wherein you advertise your product. Indeed this is part of the sales process whereby you try to draw in potential customers. A good marketing strategy will eventually lead to sales.

Keep in mind that no matter how great your site is, it is nothing if nobody knows about it. Obviously you want to promote heavily when first starting out your online business. The more marketing you do, the more recognizable your name and your business name will be. And since you have effectively marketed your online business, rest assured that sales will follow suit.

3. Bookkeeping. Okay, maybe for some this is such a dreaded word. But in truth it does not have to be. All you have to remember when doing your business’s accounting or bookkeeping is to make sure everything is kept simple. Please do not be one of those people who spent a lot on computer software to start their online business this is not really advisable.

I would highly recommend that you hire an accountant. I do not think it will cost that much to hire one. Just make sure the accountant you will hire is versed when it comes to startup businesses. Your accountant can also help you establish bookkeeping and other record keeping procedures that can keep you on track for years. You can also seek their advice when it comes to state laws, since every state has its own little intricacies, such as sales tax issues.

Your Sales Message

Most entrepreneurs always have their own story to tell in the hope that this will entice customers to buy whatever it is they are selling. However, I have also noticed that most of the stories that these entrepreneurs tell are about them, it is actually all about them and their success. They basically play the role of a hero or the protagonist in the story. The entrepreneurs act as the person who saved the day, they are the customer’s hero. However, have you ever thought that your prospects want to be the hero in this story?

Here is one example of a message that is all about the vendor. To give you a brief background this message comes from an online software solutions company that targets Fortune 500’s and ad agencies. The message goes like:

We are an online software solutions company who offers expertise in the
full-range of services required to bring interactive projects to life. We
interface seamlessly with world-class companies, advertising agencies and their
third party vendors to make certain that all areas of an online initiative are
up and running smoothly. We understand how to form powerful connections between
brands and their intended audiences through technology. We also help companies
streamline their internal and external marketing & communications through
the use of new tools and techniques.

Some customers will understand the message like this:

The first part of the message is already unclear and confusing. It seems like this company is selling software and service. The phrase “full-range services” is pretty broad. I really do not know what services are included with “full-range.” The definition of full-range might be different from how the entrepreneur defines it and what the customer is expecting. Bringing interactive projects to life is like something we have seen in movies. I honestly do not know how a software business can do this. Notice that the word “seam” was used here, it is actually not needed. Seams as defined by merriamwebster: the joining of two pieces (as of cloth or leather) by sewing usually near the edge. I do not think a website posses any seams.

There are a lot of online entrepreneurs trying to sell excellent products - but failing! They are failing because they are overlooking the importance of getting their message understood by their prospects. If you do not make sure that your message is clear for your visitors, there is no telling how many sales might be slipping through your fingers.

When it comes to your online business, your sales message is your one and only chance to communicate directly with your potential customers and tell them why they should buy from you over someone else.

What Stops Traffic From Converting Into Sales

After you have published your website, you sit down and say to yourself, "Hah! Finally I can rest and wait for the sales to pour in." However, is it that simple? Do you really think it is done? No, sir. Developing / putting up your own website are just the tip of the iceberg. There is more to it than just putting up a website. You have to drive traffic to your website.

When it comes to an online business, traffic is all too important to ignore. Okay I am not talking about regular traffic here, what I am getting at is “relevant” traffic and how you will manage to convert that traffic into actual sales. This is were many online entrepreneurs fail. For sure they get traffic however without sales it is pretty much useless. Of course there is a reason as to why they are not making as much sales as other entrepreneurs.

If you want to improve sales make sure that the following are not present in your website:

1. Poorly designed website. Is your website appealing or is it turning off most of your potential customers? More often than not, in our attempt to make our website appealing we go overboard. Meaning that we put a lot of inappropriate things that customers do not need which makes the site cluttered.

It is a known fact that there are millions of sites on the internet. Good web designs play a very important role in getting better business opportunities. According to a survey done by Genex, an award-winning Internet design and development firm, by Synovate eNation of Chicago: “Far from just providing simple aesthetic value, web site design heavily influences consumer purchase decisions.”

2. Confusing navigation bar. New web designers often want to show off by coming up with new and different ways to navigate through a multi-paged website. However, when they do this, most site visitors have a hard time navigating through the site. Always remember that your navigation bar is the map to all various areas of your site making it an essetial part of your website.

The best way to deal with your site's navigation is to make it simple and obvious. To some I know it will seem boring and it is the "same old stuff." But, have you thought of the ease it will give your visitors? As a site visitor myself I will not waste my time trying to work out something, I would just find another site that offers the same thing.

3. Uninformative content and hard to find information. It is crucial that you have a good content on your website. You should be able to provide your customers with all the relevant information they need. According to research more than 50 percent of all web sales are lost because site visitors cannot find what they are looking for. If you have buried important information too deep within your site, you are losing out on more than half of your sales!

If only website owners and entrepreneurs avoid these things then I am sure that they will have more sales. So, for all the readers out there who are planning on publishing their own website, avoid these things on your site so that the traffic you get is not wasted. In short, conversion of traffic into sales is highly possible.

An Online Business In A Down Economy

Significant changes has been seen in the economy. None of these changes are worthy of a celebration. We have seen people loosing their homes and we have seen people loosing their jobs. All of which can be attributed to the economic crisis the world is facing. Anywhere you go the effect of this predicament is evident. We all know that we are in an unstable economy right now. However, do not be disheartened with these things. Remember the saying, “When one door closes another opens.” So even if things are not looking bright as far as the economy in general is concerned there is always an opportunity out there waiting for us. One opportunity I am talking about is starting your online business.

This is hard to believe that is true, but this article I have read might change your mind:

“Forrester analyst Sucharita Mulpuru said the majority of the 2009 growth in online spending will come at the expense of physical stores. She expects more consumer dollars to be spent online because it’s easier for people to comparison shop and to find what they’re looking for.

Online sales are expected to make up 7 percent of overall retail revenue in 2009, compared with 6 percent in 2008.”

Some people who lost their jobs actually started to set-up their own businesses online. The capital that you need to start an online business is minimal as compared to a brick and mortar set-up. After all, an internet-based business grows our marketplace to a global one. Customers will flock from all sides of the world that is how the online business works. For as little as $5,000 (or less) you can actually start that business online.

Here are some of the best practices that aspiring entrepreneurs should know:

1. 
   
   Focus on a certain group. We all know that when you start an internet business you are going up against Walmart and Target (considering you will enter the online retail space). Being able to detemine your niche is the first step to producing a successful online business. A successful online business is built around one niche. The products / services that you offer should be able to resolve the current problems of your target niche. Your site content should provide information about your niche. Creating an online business around your niche helps you rank better at search engines, positions you as an expert, and creates buzz in your industry.
   
2. 
   
   Offer an innovative marketing system. The best example for this best practice will be Diapers.com. This online company is a small retailer of all sorts of baby products. They sell diapers, baby wipes, etc. But the good thing about this website is their marketing strategy. Every customer who refers someone to the company receives a discount. We all know that discounts are highly valued especially nowadays when money is tight. So offering an innovative marketing system is one best practice that entrepreneurs should know of.
   
3. 
   
   Always remember that price is important. Even if you are selling a niche product, remember that customers are still after how much the product is. However, it is hard to compete with big box retailers when it comes to price that is for sure, but you can always make up for it by providing value on the products that you offer. In doing so you sort of divert your customer’s attention off the price.

Offer unique products to your target market, come up with an innovative marketing strategy and a promotion that will help customers deflect prices are important business strategies. To conclude this article, an Online business is something that is hard to turndown. Even if we are in a middle of recession the growth of Online businesses cannot be stopped. Moreover, the Internet is a huge place, and there would always be customers on the lookout for something new.

Debunk Marketing Copy Myths

The cliche,”Action speaks louder than words,” may be true for some but for internet marketing it is not so. Why? Simply because your prospects cannot see you (assuming your site is not equipped with a video), your only link to your customers would be the words that you write on your site to market your product/service. Words on a computer screen that generate income is a dream for many of us, but a dream that so few ever achieve.

Writing an effective marketing copy will bring results that you have never thought possible. However, just as there are steps when producing a sales copy, there are also mistakes that some people might commit. In doing so you are likely to destroy your marketing messages and also reduce your business’s return on investment to a fraction of what might have been if the sales copy was great.

Here are some myths that we should clear up:

1. My customers care about my business. This is so unlikely unless your customers are members of your family; others do not really care as to what happens to your business. They think of what you can do for them if they opted to send you money for your product/service. It is irrelevant if you have been a member of the Chamber of Commerce, they do not care how fulfilled you are with your life, etc. What these people care about is your product being able to fulfill their needs and the capacity of your product to answer their problems.

The goal of copywriting is for you the entrepreneur to convince consumers that your product/service is the answer to your customer’s problem. In short, the copy that you will be making should focus on the benefits consumers will receive if they decide to purchase your product/service.

2. This copy is something I can use EVERYWHERE. I would advise that you do not do this. Your copy should change depending on the medium you are using. Say for example if you are writing a sales copy for a billboard which is strategically placed in a highway, your message should be short and straight to the point. However, if you are going to send this copy as an email to customers who have requested for specific information about your business then your copy should be far more detailed. Take the time to explain, go over facts, frequently asked questions, and it is imperative that you create a sense of urgency to boost response rates.

3. The same copy can be used for EVERYONE. Again, this is not a good idea. Different people will have varied reactions. It all depends on their demographics, behaviors, experiences, etc. For example, you are going to send a message to previous customers, the copy that should make should be totally different from those who are just prospects. Previous customers are already familiar with your business and your product/services, while the other group does not share the same experience. It is clear that both audiences need to have different set of messages to achieve maximum results.

4. I need to sound smart. Not really. You really do not have to sound smart when you formulate your sales copy. The language and tone of your copy should speak directly to the people who are likely to read it. Say for example, if you are writing a copy for teenagers then it should be different from those of senior citizens. Consider McDonald’s, which goes so far as to change references to its brand name depending on the audience. When you see McDonald’s on MTV they refer to it as “Mickey D’s” It is imperative that you do away with jargons unless your copy is intended for an audience who understands it.

You do not always have to sound like a genius in your copy. Actually, the more human you sound the better, your customers will see you as a “down to earth” type of person and are more likely to visit your company based on that alone. Base the writing of your copy on whomever you are marketing.

Debunk these myths and I assure you, you would be able to write an effective marketing copy. Writing an effective marketing copy will bring results that will for sure benefit your business.

Some Tips Before You Build Your Website

Are you an impulsive buyer? Was there ever a time that you regretted it because you were too impulsive and you basically were not able to plan it. The same thing goes for a website. We all know that if you plan on publishing your own website you need to spend money. In a time like this, wherein money is tight you need to make sure that you get the results that you want.

I personally use the internet to look for things that I need, and I am sure that a lot of people do the same. Has it ever happened to you that when you land on a website that is complicated and not good to look at you close it immediately? You actually do not take the time to look at products/services that they offer. This is most likely to happen if you rush your website’s publication. Sure, it is a good idea to have a website to market your products and services, but be sure that you at least take the time to come up with a presentable and user-friendly website. A bad website can give a negative image not only to your business but also your products.

Here are some tips that you have to consider before developing a website.

1. It is not a race. Do not be in a hurry to find a web designer. There is no rush. Finding the right web designer to suit your needs is like finding a partner. The time that you spend looking at websites, asking colleagues, and viewing portfolios is a time well spent. In the end, you will see that it was worth it, if you will consider the cost to rebuild your site. Site rebuilding usually happens when you hastily hired someone and this designer was not able to meet your needs.

When you see a good website, find out more on who designed it. This information is usually available at the bottom of the page.

2. Bring samples with you. Maximize the internet and try to research on different websites, write down the things you would like to have on your own site and things that you do not like. This should be done even before you walk into a web—designer’s office. For me, it is important that it is detailed. If you have to present a drawing of what is on your mind then do so. There is no harm in being detailed; after all, you are going to pay for their services. Web designers are creative people that is true, however in developing YOUR website you also have to give them some input for best results.

3. Be specific. You might barge into a web-designers office saying, “I want something that is cool.” Sure, there are plenty of ways to make a website cool, but just what is cool to you? What is cool to the designer may not be cool to you. A designer is there to help you decide what the best style for your site is. So, do not be shy to provide examples of how you want the website to look.

4. Make sure that you know what you are paying for. Deciding on how the website should look and actually building the website are two different processes of launching a site. Be sure that you understand everything that is stipulated in the contract, and what are the extra charges. Will it cost more if you decide to add an e-newsletter sign-up? Are they going to charge you for every e-commerce transaction you make? These are just a few questions that you should ask when you are negotiating the price and the deliverables because you might be responsible for some of them.

These are just a few tips that you should follow before you build your website. Creating your very own website is fun and exciting and it sure is worth the effort. Take the time to do it right, I mean if you are going for it might as well make the best right? There is no fun in re-doing it since it will cost you more money if you do it hastily and without proper preparation. Therefore, do not be in a hurry follow these tips and make your site the best one.

Inexpensive Way Yet Effective Way of Advertising

When the internet was just starting, many people pay for traditional banner ads or headline ads. Sometimes they even paid for an advertising system, which we know as cost-per-click. Cost-per-click advertising was one of the most popular methods of advertising. However, getting the statistics on how effective it is was not easy. Another way people advertise is with Google Adwords.

Nowadays, there are a lot of advertising methods a marketer can choose from. One of these methods is e-mail marketing. This is wherein an advertiser gives out newsletters that include insightful information. In doing so, the advertiser hopes that readers will click through their website. Collecting email addresses and sending valid offers, and discounts to those who sign-up is a good way of driving visitors to your site. If you plan to send out a monthly newsletter be sure that it displays you as the go-to expert. I would also advise that you feature some of your loyal customers in the newsletters you send out. It is a fact that people want to see their name mentioned, and what they do is they forward this newsletter to other people. Make it easy for people to subscribe and unsubscribe to your newsletters.

Usage of blogs and RSS feed may seem simple, but trust me it is very important. The community that you are working with needs to feel engaged. A blog is a good way of keeping people informed, make sure that your blog is constantly updated with valuable information and be sure that your visitors can write their comments on your blog. The more your customers are engaged, the more chances of them becoming loyal customers.

Okay, so I have mentioned about writing a blog right. Consider writing for online organizations and magazines that are in need of writers. You can include your link on the biography section of the article. This will help you gain more traffic and publicity to your site.

Use social media tools like Twitter. These networks are important; they make sure that your customers are in the loop with the latest stuff. It is okay to get a little personal every once in a while. This is a good way to assure your readers that the person behind these alerts is real.

There you have it, simple yet effective ways of advertising. True that these are simple methods of advertising, but many entrepreneurs out there have proven how effective these methods are. Try which one is good for your business. Good luck!

Commission Blueprint? Read This First

As you know Affiliate Marketing is one of the easiest ways to make money online and as I am here to help you to make money I want to talk about a product that two people recently launched - COMMISSION BLUEPRINT.

This is a comprehensive material specially crafted for those aspiring affiliate marketers. This program combines the power of Adwords with Clickbank.

Before I tell you more about Commission Blueprint, it is only fitting that we look at the background of its creators first. Like what I have said earlier two people developed this program namely: Steven Clayton and Tim Godfrey.

Tim Godfrey has been engaged in the marketing business since 2003. He is the brain behind Profit Praxis, which is a big thing in the IM world. He was hailed as the rising star in the internet marketing world.

Steven Clayton is an experienced Adwords marketer who runs his own marketing company. Prior to establishing his own marketing company, Steven Clayton was the VP for a Fortune 500 company.

Although their names may be unknown to some, let me assure you that they are not newbies when it comes to the internet marketing industry.

The Product

The program is composed of 14 videos, all narrated by Steve Clayton. The expected run-time of these videos would be around three hours. The videos are a systematic training on how to find the best Clickbank products that can make you a good amount of money.

Here Is What You Will Learn:

Keyword Search
- How to choose four to six products and test their profitability
- How to read and understand the statistical information provided by Clickbank
- How to avoid the costly mistakes of paying a lot for Adwords
- The definition and the importance of Clickbank gravity, cost per click, conversion rate, commission pay-out and click inventory
- The tools you can use for keyword search
- How to do keyword research and how you can use Google Adwords to analyze the data you have gathered
- How to estimate the amount of traffic for a given keyword using Google’s free tools

Domain Names and Hosting
- The importance of having a domain name and the factors that you should take into consideration when you are choosing one.
- The best kind of web hosting you should avail that will ensure the smooth operation of your business.
- How to integrate domain names in your Adwords advertisement

Creating Landing Pages for Adwords Campaigns
- How to properly set-up landing pages and what you have to do to get a good quality score from Google
- How to create a page that will surely sell your product
- How to ensure the continuity between the Adwords ad, the search term, the story you are telling and the offer made by the Clickbank product.

Managing Adwords Campaign
- How to use the information you received from Adwords and combine it with the date from Clickbank to manage your keyword ad campaign for maximum profitability
- How to detect the keywords that are not converting well enough and prevent you from losing money
- How to enhance your ad position and click through rate

Scaling your affiliate business
- How to increase your daily commissions
- The proven methods that exist to help you increase your earnings as your campaign matures
- How to use SEO for your campaigns, how to use opt in pages and also it will teach you how to create “Thank You,” pages.

Steven Clayton and Tim Godfrey did a very good job in organizing and presenting the information. This program does contain pertinent information that will surely help those affiliate marketers to make money.

Commission Blueprint is an excellent product for people who want to start their own online business, and it is well suited for affiliate marketers. The system is complete and very comprehensive. The videos are so easy to understand and follow; anyone can put into practice the methods and strategies explained.

So, if you want to start making money quickly this product is for you, Click Here to check it out.

Importance Of Your Presence

The flow of information has been forever changed by the dawn of blogs, discussion forums and user-generated media. People talk about several of things online from brands, people, places, events; even the newest Nike shoes can be discussed! All a person needs is a computer or a cell phone and they can start posting information, their comments and reviews about you and your product. These things can be seen on the internet were a lot of people can see it.

Like what I have said before building a website is just the tip of the ice berg. As an online entrepreneur you have to do more in order to bring people to your website. In today's online social media world, all types of businesses big and small must actively participate in online reputation management.

Reputation is built on providing excellent products, provide excellent customer service and honor all your commitments. Everything I have mentioned is a very great way of building your reputation. Here are some other ways that you can build your company’s reputation:

- Sign-up for alerts (news). Google allows its users to put-up customized searches on Google News. You can customize it in a way that you can search for any phrase such as your name. When you subscribe to this system using RSS or e-mail, you will receive alerts each time your search phrase shows up in the news. Sites like boardreader.com and forumfinder.com will help you keep track of the conversations going on within bulletin boards and forums.

- Use social media. The good always comes with the bad as they say; this is so true for comments about your products. There would always be good comments and bad comments about it; this is something that cannot be avoided. More positive comments are the best way to deal with your negative comments. You have to make sure that you have more positive content showing up for searches of your name or company. You can do this by adding a blog that is constantly updated with pertinent information; create a well-written LinkedIn or Facebook profile, etc. Submitting valuable articles to blog directories can also assure you that you get a lot of positive content pointing towards your business.

- Be a host. Start your own blog, and invite your customers to leave their comments. Through this you will be able to monitor any issues customers might have about your product. Your blog is also a great way of providing information to visitors and customers alike.

Communication is an art and the goal is to reach out to the audience and make a connection in some way with them. It is about being a believable person who is trustworthy and friendly. You have to empathize with people and understand what they are looking for.

A Marketer's Word

Words are the most important elements of marketing both offline and online. It does not matter if your words are coupled by pictures, or its just plain text, words have the power to stimulate ideas and stir the emotions of its readers. That is why having the right words is important, in so doing you gain the opportunity if gaining more sales. Customers prefer getting the details straight up and they also prefer specifics rather than generalization.

A customer is bombarded with loads of marketing messages every day. Because of that customers become selective of these things, they respond to an ad which sounds true and offer benefits and features that they need. Consumers are a lot smarter nowadays, they can sense if your ad is a fake.

Here is a list of overused words that marketer’s use. These same words erode the quality of today’s marketing.

1. The care lines. “Because we care,” “We care about you” these are just a few of the same overused promise that we hear from marketers. We usually see these phrases in health care insurance and financial marketing. They prompt prospects on how they will benefit from the product. However, since these lines have been used again and again people would hardly pay attention to whatever it is you are selling.

2. We have the solution. Due to their great love for technology, marketers claim to have the solution to all possible problems. This word has been abused by a lot of marketers that it is no longer credible. Most consumers think that the problems they are facing are one of a kind it is hard for them to imagine how these solutions will be delivered without loads of additional information from the advertiser.

3. Results. This word represents a highly general and useless promise. Whenever customers are faced with the vow of results more often than not they would like to see proof. So, if ever you will use this particular word make sure that you are equipped with testimonials to back-up your word.

4. It is simply amazing. How many products have we heard are amazing? Too many to count that is for sure. This statement makes something sound too good to be true, and it makes the product very unique. If you choose to use this in your marketing efforts be sure that you have details to support your claim.

5. The best quality. Just as we expect products and services to meet our needs, we also expect that the same product to be of the best caliber. But what makes your product of higher grade than other products? Inform your customers the various ways you ensure quality and testimonials from users would also be helpful.

Marketers work their magic through the words that they use. So, if you are one of those people who make their living by marketing products, make sure that you choose your words carefully.

The Pre-selling Technique

The art of pre-selling is basically how you condition your potential customers and making them more likely to buy your products/services. This method is usually performed at your website before you send your visitor over to the vendor’s store or the landing page. The main goal of a pre-sell technique is to get your prospects into a frame of mind wherein they really feel the desire to make that purchase.

A pre-sell strategy is built on months of constant interaction with your prospects. It is natural that people will trust a person they have been talking to. Interaction could be done through email newsletter or blogs. However, a history of prior contact with prospects is not required for pre-selling to be effective. One can pre-sell just as well when you have a reputation as an expert in a specific field.

An integral part of pre-selling is how you present the information. Your presentation should conquer any doubts that your prospects might have. Conditioning them will be easier if you eliminate any doubts that they might feel. The vendor’s website will without a doubt contain all the product’s features, benefits and specifications, the job of pre-selling is not just duplicating these information. Offer prospects complementary or first-hand information on the product which can be done be providing a simple review or product comparison.

One effective pre-sell tactic that can be used is: Learning to sell indirectly. This technique can be done by talking to your target market and informing them about the different ways they can use your product.People would not purchase a product if the operation is complicated, that is a normal behavior. The reason they are purchasing a product is because they want their lives to be easier, so they will not take the time to struggle with something.

It will be more practical if you show your prospects how to use your product first. From there they will see the value and advantages your product has. The best example is the home shopping on television. First, they point out the dilemma some people might have. After they point out this problem, they then show you procedures that can solve this problem.

Then finally they show you the product that they use to overcome the problem.As a marketer or product owner, you have to be willing to get out there and convince your prospects to buy the product or service, by pre-selling them. As part of your standard procedures, always make a pre-sell plan and put it into operation. You will be pleasantly surprised with the possible results you are likely to achieve.

Join The Conversation Of Your Target Market

Search marketing is all about identifying and doing something on what customers need and want. On the other hand social media is all about conversations. We all know that social media is a gold mine of information. If you can mine that data from social media, use it to build search campaigns and include copy on web pages that will develop conversations.

Use traditional keyword tools to start finding those relevant conversations. Your very own product’s page is a good starting point to search for keywords. Google’s keyword tool is efficient when it comes to picking up phrases from any page, however it does not go well with social media. Conversations are not keyword phrases. Search engines like Google can, however, extract terms that are good ways to find conversations between your potential customers. The secret is to find out where these conversations are happening and to take part in them. One of most powerful social media tool that can help you with your goal is Techrigy SM2.

Techrigy lets you open a free account and also allows you to the first 1,000 results on a given day. These results all apply to your brand. Judging form those results, you can see which social media platform you should pay attention to: message forums, blogs, photo sharing websites or social networks like Myspace. This software will also provide demographic information, which includes the physical location of those people who are talking about your brand.So now that you have the relevant information that you need, it is time to go after the individuals who gave their positive opinions about your brand. You can reach out to these people through Twitter, posting blog comments and in e-mails, which ever is appropriate.

If used properly, search engines can give you the information that you need. However, social media requires another type of approach which is mainly focused on conversations. These conversations might not lead you straight to your target market but it can foster brand loyalty, and of course sales will follow afterwards.

Four Ways To Earn Money Online

Huge changes have indeed taken place over the past couple of months. Most of these changes are not so good. However, even in this current situation there is still one bright spot, and that is the growth of Online Businesses. With all the things going around us, now is the best time to make extra income online.

If you have an internet connection at home you can get start your very own business that can pay for mortgage, car payment, tuition fees, etc. Okay before you start sweating and worrying about stuff, let me just say that it does not take a rocket scientist to start an online business.

The best part time business should be something that is very easy to start, does not require your full time, start-up is minimal, easy to maintain and have a proven track record with a high probability of success.

1. Information marketing. The era that we live right now is the information age. The internet provides people with a great deal of information, and it is the ideal medium to exchange know-how for of course cash! Do you know how to make friendship bracelets? How to play the piano? How to make your relationship a success?

How would you come up with information? Think about the things that you have learned in the past, think about your hobbies and you interests. Almost anything you know can be turned into cash. It is not really a requirement that you did an extensive research or study on the topic that you will discuss. For as long as you know more than the average person does, then that information is valuable. If you feel that it is unlikely people would not pay for your knowledge, you can always take someone’s know-how and make money through that.

Ninety-two percent of people log in on the internet looking for information, and you could be one of the many people making money on selling it.

2. Selling on eBay. eBay is one of the largest marketplaces that you can find online. Starting your very own business online is very easy, all you have to do is open an account and you can start selling!

A lot of people sell their old stuff particularly clothes on eBay. That is not bad especially when you are just starting. However, what if you run out of old stuff to sell? What becomes of your business then? If you want to create a successful eBay business you need to leverage products that you can sell over and over again.

3. Affiliate Marketing. This is absolutely without a doubt the easiest and laziest way to make money online. Affiliate marketing does not require you to have a product, make a sale nor does it require any interaction with customers.This is basically what we call “THE REFERRAL BUSINESS.” You get paid a referral commission by sending people to certain websites that are set up to pay affiliate marketers once a sale is made. The vendor is in charge of selling, finalizes all purchases and handles customer service. All you have to do is refer people to the vendor’s site and that’s it!

A word of advice, if you are going to choose an affiliate program, make sure to choose sites that sell products that you are passionate about. Why? This makes referring more fun and also you can share your own insights to prospects, making you more credible.

4. Blogging. Are you one of those people who spend their time writing about stuff? Like say for example, something spectacular happened to you today, and for you not to forget about it you write it down in a diary of some sort. A lot of people do that nowadays. However instead of using pen and paper they type it and post it on the web. This system is known as “blogging” which is short for Web Blogging. This system has become so popular these days everyone is posting his own story on the web.

The range of topics that you can discuss is virtually endless. You can discuss topics like photography, cars, parenting, health and dieting, hottest gadgets – like what I have said you can blog anything under the sun. The good thing about this business is that you do not have to worry about competition. People who read one blog are likely to read other write ups on the same topic they are so passionate about, for as long as you have something interesting and valuable to say.

There you have it four perfect examples of online businesses that you should ponder on. All of these businesses I have mentioned have been proven effective by people who gave it a try and succeeded. Why don’t you try it out yourself, who knows one of these methods might just be thing you are looking for!

The Information Business

One of the best ways of earning money online is through selling information products. This is the quickest and easiest way to earn extra money online. Selling hard goods is not the only way to earn money. You can also try selling INFORMATION on the internet.

With proper planning, it usually takes less time and effort to maintain information products than it is to maintain physical ones. Creating and selling information products is one of the most risk-free ways for anyone to start an online business. Being your own boss is just one of the best benefits an online business can bring.

In the past few years the business of selling information online has flourished. Some sell personalized consultations for a lot of money. People are always on the lookout for quality and valuable information. The secret is for you to create an information product and come up with a strategy to promote it effectively.

If you want to be successful in the Information Selling Industry, you have to do your homework. You need to research and hunt for the best information about the product / service you are selling. It would be helpful if you can conduct a survey. This survey should be taken by prospective customers. In doing so you can get a better idea about the information they want and need. If you can find a topic that many people are eager to pay money to learn about, selling information products is a great way to earn money on the internet. No doubt, selling information products is a great idea; but it is something that you need to invest time for it to be a worthwhile venture.

To be successful in the information selling industry you should know how to identify your market, and research on the needs and wants of your target market. From there on capitalize on the opportunity that your target market brings.

What Should You Sell Online?

“I want to start my own online business! Hmmm…but I do not know what to sell!” These are probably the first thoughts of many internet entrepreneurs. Many other aspiring entrepreneurs will no doubt ask the same question. You need not sweat to come up with the right answer. Truth is there is no right or wrong answer for this particular question. All you need is careful consideration of the options available to you.

The unemployment rate has been on the rise for months now, not even the government can stop it. I mean sure they are doing everything they can to help the unemployed. They have provided emergency funds; in some areas, they have released insurance claims for the unemployed. However, why should you rely on others when you can make things happen yourself? Selling goods on the internet is a great way to earn money these days. The best way to sell online is through a website. Your website will allow customers to look through the products you are selling and choose the products they want. Well, here are some suggestions/ideas to get you started:

1) Look at your hobbies and interests. If you are fond of doing something, chances are, you are an expert on the type of products to buy. Therefore, if you are an expert customers will trust your opinion and they will look up to you. Many businesses begin this way.

2) Look around your house. Are there things laying around that you do not need anymore? Maybe you can part with some items and sell them online? Check your garage, your attic, your basement etc. If they are in good condition, chances are there are other people out there who want them.

3) Selling Information. Selling information products can be one of the most productive businesses that a person can get involved in. If you want to profit from selling information you have to establish yourself as a “guru” in your niche and capitalize on the problems of others where you provide solution to their needs.

4) Be on top of trends. If a movie or book is coming out that you feel it will be a big hit, source related products, and sell it online. Are there big events coming up such as the Olympics, the World Cup, Ryder Cup etc? Procure products that have something to do with these events and be the first one on the market to sell them.

Each and every one of these options is easy to do, so you can easily build your business. You can quickly make cash by selling goods online. Selling Online places your items in front of a huge audience from around the world. So, what if your products did not sell at your local garage sale in your neighborhood, it might be just what someone across the world is looking for!

Find Traffic

Websites are the most effective marketing tool nowadays. It works for both the brick-and-mortar business and online business. It is not surprising that they turn to this channel given the low costs of putting up an online store; especially if the product that you are selling is downloadable and does not require a warehouse.

However many entrepreneurs wonder what they have to do to bring more traffic to their website. They want to know how they can lure their target market to their site. Here are some tips for those people out there running online stores. Hopefully it will help bring in more traffic to sell products and services on your website.

Presence helps improve traffic

Go where your customers are going. If your customers are communicating on a particular blog or if they are members of a certain forum, be sure to be there as well. Make it a point that you are actively participating where they are spending time online. Post and offer honest, sincere advice and not promoting your business actively in these forums or blogs, but passively. For example, the website address that goes with your signature is more than enough. After you build credibility as an expert, people will go to your site and it will become viral within the community--your targeted community.

Blogs and forums are just part of a bigger picture. You have the option to create your own group were you can build your own forum of people sharing ideas were you are the moderator and the list owner. However, be warned that you should not abuse your authority by spamming and selling.

Get in touch with complementary websites

If you are selling coffee, you try to pair it up with a product that complements like crème or sugar. Many will exchange affiliate links or just exchange banner ads, which is basically free advertising. Many site owners will be more than happy to do this.

Every entrepreneur’s goal is to translate web hits into sales. Sales can be done easily by rotating banner ads, not just ads through commission sites to make small amount of extra money, but to advertise your own services and products. If your website has an ad linking to a timely product, you can attract customers you might not have otherwise. Always remember that you should create an area where people can comment on your product / service.

Web Design

A company’s image is built on how professional their website is. A professional web design will help your business grow; it will help you reach many other businesses and customers that may not know that you cater to their needs. No visual impact, no interest! Now, if you are a serious online entrepreneur and want to have a website that sends the right message to the visitors, you must know that there are some web design techniques simply inappropriate for a business website. Professional web design is important for any company that wants to keep ahead of their competition.

A website sales page is divided into sections; each section serves a unique purpose in the sales process. The headline gets your prospect client interested; this is the thing that catches their attention. The sub headline builds/grows their interest. The product graphic helps your prospects visualize the product that you are selling. The bullet points tell your prospect why they must have your product. The guarantee creates the proper comfort level and the order button is the call to action that seals the deal.

As an entrepreneur, you should consider several factors like price, talent, technical expertise and availability when choosing the right web-design firm. Making the correct choice is important in establishing a clear vision for your website, fully implementing that vision, and keeping your startup on track and within budget.

As the entrepreneur, you are the producer, copywriter and the director. Being all those things, you should know what your business needs and what you want. It is important that you know your strengths and weaknesses and look for a web designer that will complement the qualities that you posses. Here are the important things that you should consider in a web designer:

- The designer should have the experience that is required for online business.
- The web designer should meet deadlines.
- Communication with the web designer should be easy. They should be accessible any time of the day.
- Their price range should be within your budget.

Always remember that your website should be able to attract traffic and capture leads. There are businesses out there who are experts when it comes to web design, development, and online marketing. These companies build websites as well as provide assistance with online marketing.

If you want to excel high in your online business, strategies of website design and development must be dealt with great care.

Running On A Budget

How would you define the word budget? Budget is an itemized forecast of an individual's or company's income and expenses expected for some period in the future. Most entrepreneurs detest the idea of budgeting. Some entrepreneurs feel that working on a budget limits their actions and affects their flexibility. However if we are going to look at the current economic trend, budgets would be crucial to a business.

Entrepreneurs will always find an excuse to avoid budgeting. The most typical excuse that you will hear would be,” “Startup cash flow is too unpredictable.” I know that not all of you are keen on budgeting, but you should start learning. Here are two reasons why:

1. It makes good managers. If budgets are done properly, it will enhance your ability to forecast and manage. For a startup, business budgets can be used to test whether the drivers of the business hold true. One effective way of doing this is by setting an annual budget with a set of key assumptions (number of new clients, product price, etc.). Then every quarter try to reforecast by updating the assumptions you made with the latest results at hand.

2. You avoid the risk of running out of money. Most startup businesses run the risk of running out of money. Most entrepreneurs will fluctuate between a conservative reality and an aggressive dream state, which keeps them motivated and helps them inspire others. If you are going to formulate a budget plan, start with projected expenses and not revenue. Expenses are much easier to forecast. This will keep you grounded so you do not run the risk of running out of money.

Starting and running a business within a budget is not easy. You should be willing to be flexible. For instance, if the revenue does not match your expectations, trim back your expenses to compensate. On the other hand if you are earning more than you anticipated, now is the time to invest in those business development measures you have been putting off so far.

Budgeting requires you to look ahead and formalize future goals. By establishing a budget, you can set goals for achieving a certain level of income and monitor your expenses.

Key Elements Of Websites

There are days when your business slows down a bit; this is the best time to go over your website. Take advantage of the free time you have and modify your site. Sales are more likely to increase if your website is simple and more-user friendly. So, here are some elements that your site should have:

1. Attention-grabbing headline. The first thing visitors see should be a convincing headline. The headline should describe your product’s benefits. What can customers get from your product if they decide to purchase it? Headline is the key element of your online business. An attention-grabbing headline will persuade your visitors to stick around and look at the products that you offer.

A good sales letter should be clear, concise, and straight to the point. In short, a good sales letter should be well written enough to pique your customer’s interest. Make sure that you emphasize your product’s advantages.

2. Easy navigation. Confusing and complicated navigation is always a turn-off to visitors and prospects. Customers should know where they are at your site at all times. Make sure that they can always go back to pages that they have already visited. Make sure that your website’s navigation bar or menu is accessible and easy to understand.

3. An effective sales copy. Your sales copy is about the only contact you will have with your visitors. Take time to choose the words that you will use to describe the product/service that you are selling. These words will either make or break your business. Your sales copy should:

- Draw your customers to your products advantages and benefits

- Establish your credibility. No one in his right mind would buy from anyone they do not trust. Customers always look for someone whom they can rely on and trust.

- Make sure that you mention the importance of your product and why visitors need to purchase it.

4. Call to action. The right words will drive people to action; the wrong words will drive them to distraction. It is important that you clearly display your call to action and make it obvious to the visitor how they should proceed. Also, make it easy for them. If they have to complete a form, make it as short as possible; do not include unnecessary fields in the initial sign up.

5. Customer Testimonials. An important aspect of an online business is the establishment of its credibility. Visitors are hesitant of purchasing something online since they do not know what they will get if they buy from you. You should overcome this big hurdle if you are selling online. An effective solution to this dilemma is including customer testimonials. Consumers think that if other people have bought the product and are happy about it, chances are I am going to buy and be happy as well.

Whenever you have the time, review your website and create a list of “must do," things. Make it a point that you do everything in your "must do" list. These things will do wonders for your website. Do away with the non-essential clutter and always remember to make the sales process simple.Also, take the time to go through other sites especially those of your competitors to see how your site compares to them. After you updating your own website, ask some of your friends to go over it. Ask them what they think of it; was it difficult to navigate though your site? Their opinions will be helpful for more site improvements.

Remember that a good website always goes through a series of modifications. So do not be afraid of doing the same.

Customer Testimonials

Many entrepreneurs sell goods or services on the Internet. Why? The Internet provides access to a large and growing market. Approximately 627 million people were shopping online and that number keeps on growing every day.

As an online entrepreneur, you sell products / services online which means you have to convince someone who has never seen you to buy something from you. These people have not seen, touched, or held in their hands the product that you are selling.That is asking a whole lot. Personally, I would like to see whatever it is I am buying up close just to make sure that it is what it is.

This is a big hurdle that you have to overcome if you are selling online. One way of overcoming this obstacle is to display customer testimonials on your web site. There is a psychological explanation for it. Consumers think that if other people have bought the product and are happy about it, chances are I am going to buy and be happy as well.

Here are some guidelines that you have to remember when using testimonials to sell your product / service:

1. Do not make up the testimonials yourself. You will be tempted for sure to do this since you know that people will not find out. However, if you are not a good writer it will all sound phony and people will think everything in your website is a fake.

2. List as much information as you can about the person giving the testimonial. This builds up the credibility of the person who gave their testimonial. Avoid listing their name then town like this, "Tammy - Chicago" that sounds phony.

3. Before I forget, remember to get the person’s permission first. Ask them if it is okay with them to post some information about them and the statement they made about your product/service.
Whenever someone buys from you, always do a follow-up through email. You can ask them for a feedback. You can ask customers these questions, “Hey, how is the product working out for you? Are there any questions I can answer, or any help I can give you? I'd love to hear how it's working out for you so far and any comments you might have to help me make it better for you.” The questions I have mentioned will help you get the testimonials that you need.

To end this article I would have to say that adding testimonials to your website both helps you to gain new customers, and it also helps you to stay in contact with old customers and make their buying experience better, which should always be a goal.

The Importance Of Security

“Someone has been using my credit card to buy stuff online!!! Help!!!” I get this a lot when I used to work for a call center that handles credit card frauds. I get a call like this everyday. Why do you think something like this happens? I can think of a lot of scenarios, but the most common is that someone stole their information when they purchased something online.

As an online business owner you should provide your customers the assurance that you are not a fraud. Since it is easy for any thief with skills to create a website and impersonate a legitimate business for the purpose of stealing personal information from visitors, digital certificates have become a necessity.

What exactly are digital certificates and why is it good for websites?

These digital certificates are issued by an independent, renowned and mutually trusted third party that guarantees that the website operating is who it claims to be. They validate that the website is not fraudulent. Certification Authority (CA) is how they call this third party entity.

These certificates are important because they give the consumers assurance that the website is a legitimate business entity. These certificates, among other things, validate for customers shopping online that they are dealing with a specific person or company that has been checked out by the companies authorized to issue the certificates.

Consumers are now becoming smarter when it comes to online security. More and more of them are looking for the padlock icon and prefix in the address bar of their browser before they submit any personal information online. This is fast becoming of consumers because they want to make sure that all of their valuable information is safe.

This feature will benefit your online business in the long run because it will enable you to boost your visitor conversion rates - increasing your profitability from the same level of traffic. Digital certificates help you increase the business’ conversion rates by providing an extra/added security feature on your site. You can hold back all those customers who would have left your website for trust and security related reasons.

For you to have a successful online business it is very important to create trust in your customers and visitors. Your visitors will only make a purchase after they feel that their details (credit card information and personal data) will be in the safe hands.