| 7 Keys to Internet Business Success |
| by: Bina Omar |
| Starting an internet business can be as simple as opening a Yahoo Store. And as complicated as building your own dynamic e-commerce web site. But no matter how you go about it, you need 7 key ingredients to ensure the success of your internet business. 1. Demand You can have the most awesome product and the most hi-tech web site, but if you can’t generate demand for your product, your business is doomed from the start. There are many ways to generate demand in the online world. You could advertise in ezines, start an affiliate program, encourage word of mouth, referrals, do joint ventures. Remember, without demand, there will be no sales. And without sales, where does that leave you? 2. Order When you start getting visitors to your web site, it’s now just a matter of turning them into your customers. Okay, maybe it’s not as easy as it sounds. This is why, once your visitor has decided to become a customer, you have to make sure that it is easy for them to do so. Make sure that your ordering process is easy and straightforward. The less clicks to secure an order, the better. 3. Payment This is one process of your internet business that you’d definitely not want to get wrong - how money is actually transferred from your customer to you. The most popular means of doing this online is through credit card transactions. Credit cards makes full use of a person’s ‘buy now think later’ attitude. So, your sales would be a lot higher if you accepted credit cards than if you didn’t. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have alternative methods. The more payment methods you offer, the easier your customer will find it to pay for your product. 4. Fulfillment After payment has been made, don’t make the mistake of thinking that the coast is clear. There’s still the matter of delivering your products. If you sell digital products, it is now normal standard to have it delivered instantly. People now expect this, so make sure you set this up. If you sell physical products that needs physical delivery, make sure that you communicate with your customer every step of the way. Ensure them that their goods are on the way. If possible, send them a means to track the movement of their package. Your customers should never feel insecure. 5. Service and Support Once the sale has been made, it doesn’t stop there. You have to provide excellent customer support. Your internet business customer support will determine, to some extent, whether your customer will request a refund and whether or not they will make repeat purchases. Support abilities of an internet business is getting more and more efficient. So don’t get caught behind. The least you should do is provide timely e-mail support. If you have a busier site, then consider other support methods - online helpdesk, FAQs, live chats, ticket system, knowledge base …. 6. Security The Internet community is getting more aware of what to look out for in order to protect themselves from many of the net’s less desirable activities. One of which is e-commerce frauds. It is, therefore, up to you to prove to your visitors that they can trust you. Things like using secured server to process payments, can go a long way. Purchase a digital certificate, if you can. Add a physical mail address or a phone number where they can contact you. Anything at all, to give your visitors some peace of mind. 7. Community Once you’ve received more than just a handful of sales, you should think about starting a community. Making your customers a part of a community, gives them a sense of belonging. Have your community be a part of your product development. Listen to their suggestions. Not only will you get product ideas for your internet business, your sales ratio will increase with every new product release and you will have a loyal customer base. There you go. Work on these seven keys and you’ll be way ahead of most internet businesses out there on the net today. About the author: Bina runs the WebBriefcase at http://WebBriefcase.comau,a site filled with web building tips, tools and tutorials for home business owners. Sign up now for your free video enhanced course on "How to Make Your Own Web Site in 7 Easy Steps" mailto:subscribe@webbriefcase.comau |
7 Keys to Internet Business Success
5 Key Factors to Consider When Selecting an Outplacement
by: Ann Hackett
With today's economy, more and more companies are finding themselves
faced with the situation of having to reduce headcount to remain
competitive. Here are five key factors to consider when selecting
an outplacement firm if your company is ever faced with a workforce
reduction.
1. Types of Services Provided.
One decision you will need to make regarding outplacement is whether
your displaced workers would benefit most from group or individual
one-on-one outplacement. For the majority of outplaced employees,
if your budget permits, individual outplacement is the preferred
option since it provides one-on-one support that will help them move
forward more quickly than they would on their own.
If you decide they would benefit most from individual outplacement,
you will then need to determine what services would be most valuable
to your displaced employees. One option would be to select an
outplacement firm that develops their resume and cover letter for them.
Another option would be an outplacement firm that offers office space
and a computer for the displaced worker to prepare their own job
search materials.
2. Areas of Specialty
Another factor to consider when selecting an outplacement firm is
whether it is important to you that they have experience working with
the type of displaced employees you will be sending them. A related
factor is whether it is important to you that the outplacement company
specializes in dealing with companies like yours.
If their areas of specialty are important to you, review the
outplacement company's web site and other marketing materials to see
what their specialty is or ask them directly. If an outplacement
firm's expertise lies in serving large companies displacing
administrative staff and your small business is displacing experienced
managers, this outplacement firm may not be the best fit for you.
3. Experience with Current Job Search Practices
How important is it to you that the outplacement firm be experienced
with Internet job search techniques? Is it likely that the Internet
will play a key role in your displaced employees' job search strategy?
If you determine that Internet savvy is an important evaluation point
for an outplacement firm, check to see whether the outplacement firm
recognizes the importance of the Internet by having a web site. Are
they aware of the top online career sites? Do they offer a service to
post displaced employees resumes on these top online career sites?
Do they have the ability to distribution resumes electronically to a
select group of employers and recruiters?
4. Length of Time Support is Provided
Another factor to consider when selecting outplacement services is the
amount of time you feel the displaced worker would require outplacement
support. In general, the more senior-level the position, the longer it
will take the displaced employee to find suitable employment.
A second time factor to consider is whether the displaced worker will
receive ongoing one-on-one scheduled sessions with a career transition
consultant or whether the ongoing support merely includes access to job
search support materials.
5. Costs
Outplacement costs must be considered when selecting an outplacement
firm. Check to see whether outplacement costs are clearly defined and
stated on the outplacement firm's web site and in their marketing
materials. Are you charged only if the displaced employee elects to
contact the outplacement firm for support or are you charged regardless
of whether the displaced employee receives support? Are there
affordable packages available that provide the services you feel your
displaced employees would most benefit from without providing unwanted
services?
Another cost factor to consider is whether the outplacement firm gives
you the able to select outplacement services a la carte to meet your
needs. Also determine whether the outplacement company has a minimum
fee requirement or whether they will charge you only for the number of
displaced employees you actually have even if the number is as few as
one.
By considering each of these five factors you can develop effective
selection criteria for deciding on an outplacement provider to best
meet the needs of your displaced employees while adhering to your
budget constraints.
About the Author
Ann Hackett is the founder and President of Quest
(http://www.questcareer.com/), an online career management company that specializes in providing small businesses located throughout the world.
With today's economy, more and more companies are finding themselves
faced with the situation of having to reduce headcount to remain
competitive. Here are five key factors to consider when selecting
an outplacement firm if your company is ever faced with a workforce
reduction.
1. Types of Services Provided.
One decision you will need to make regarding outplacement is whether
your displaced workers would benefit most from group or individual
one-on-one outplacement. For the majority of outplaced employees,
if your budget permits, individual outplacement is the preferred
option since it provides one-on-one support that will help them move
forward more quickly than they would on their own.
If you decide they would benefit most from individual outplacement,
you will then need to determine what services would be most valuable
to your displaced employees. One option would be to select an
outplacement firm that develops their resume and cover letter for them.
Another option would be an outplacement firm that offers office space
and a computer for the displaced worker to prepare their own job
search materials.
2. Areas of Specialty
Another factor to consider when selecting an outplacement firm is
whether it is important to you that they have experience working with
the type of displaced employees you will be sending them. A related
factor is whether it is important to you that the outplacement company
specializes in dealing with companies like yours.
If their areas of specialty are important to you, review the
outplacement company's web site and other marketing materials to see
what their specialty is or ask them directly. If an outplacement
firm's expertise lies in serving large companies displacing
administrative staff and your small business is displacing experienced
managers, this outplacement firm may not be the best fit for you.
3. Experience with Current Job Search Practices
How important is it to you that the outplacement firm be experienced
with Internet job search techniques? Is it likely that the Internet
will play a key role in your displaced employees' job search strategy?
If you determine that Internet savvy is an important evaluation point
for an outplacement firm, check to see whether the outplacement firm
recognizes the importance of the Internet by having a web site. Are
they aware of the top online career sites? Do they offer a service to
post displaced employees resumes on these top online career sites?
Do they have the ability to distribution resumes electronically to a
select group of employers and recruiters?
4. Length of Time Support is Provided
Another factor to consider when selecting outplacement services is the
amount of time you feel the displaced worker would require outplacement
support. In general, the more senior-level the position, the longer it
will take the displaced employee to find suitable employment.
A second time factor to consider is whether the displaced worker will
receive ongoing one-on-one scheduled sessions with a career transition
consultant or whether the ongoing support merely includes access to job
search support materials.
5. Costs
Outplacement costs must be considered when selecting an outplacement
firm. Check to see whether outplacement costs are clearly defined and
stated on the outplacement firm's web site and in their marketing
materials. Are you charged only if the displaced employee elects to
contact the outplacement firm for support or are you charged regardless
of whether the displaced employee receives support? Are there
affordable packages available that provide the services you feel your
displaced employees would most benefit from without providing unwanted
services?
Another cost factor to consider is whether the outplacement firm gives
you the able to select outplacement services a la carte to meet your
needs. Also determine whether the outplacement company has a minimum
fee requirement or whether they will charge you only for the number of
displaced employees you actually have even if the number is as few as
one.
By considering each of these five factors you can develop effective
selection criteria for deciding on an outplacement provider to best
meet the needs of your displaced employees while adhering to your
budget constraints.
About the Author
Ann Hackett is the founder and President of Quest
(http://www.questcareer.com/), an online career management company that specializes in providing small businesses located throughout the world.
3 Ways to Find Your Niche as a Freelance Writer
by: Nick Usborne
To make a six-figure income as a freelance writer, to need to be an expert. You need your name to jump to people's lips when a particular job or challenge comes up.
"Direct mail for software? You should get in touch with Bob. That's what he does." Insert your own name and specialty where appropriate.
You can't get that kind of awareness or referral if you're someone who just writes about anything in any medium. Nobody is going to believe that you are a trusted expert in absolutely everything.
So how do you determine a viable 'niche'? You have three choices...
1. Niche by industry...
That is to say, work within a particular industry. For years I worked with pharmaceutical clients. All my clients were drug companies. I wrote direct mail, brochures, sales aids, video scripts. I wrote anything, so long as it was about pharmaceuticals. That was my niche. And my clients knew that I was knowledgeable in that area. So they came to me.
2. Niche by medium...
In this scenario, you make a particular medium your specialty. After my years with the pharmaceutical industry, I decided to specialize as a direct mail copywriter. And for that period, about 15 years, I ONLY write direct mail and associated media...like inserts, fliers, postcards etc. I was a direct response specialist. And I wrote for all kinds of different industries - financial, cable TV, magazine publishers and more.
My specialty, my niche, was as a direct response copywriter. Other writers have built their careers around writing annual reports, radio scripts, white papers etc.
3. 'Double-Niche'
When you double-niche you are making a specialty of serving a single industry through a single medium. For instance, writing direct response for the financial industry. And ONLY writing direct response for the financial industry.
In conclusion...
As I said at the beginning, you can't be an expert at everything...not within every industry, not with every medium. So you need to take some steps to find your niche.
How do you choose? First, know yourself. Know what you are good at. Know what you like.
Also, be smart. Create your niche where the money is. Find your niche where there is a strong market.
And be smart about the size of your niche. Don't go so narrow that you're forever starved of work. Don't go so broad that people view you as a Jack or Jill of all trades, a generalist.
About the Author
Nick Usborne is a freelance writer, author and speaker. For more articles and resources on making money as a freelance writer, visit his site www.FreelanceWritingSuccess.com
To make a six-figure income as a freelance writer, to need to be an expert. You need your name to jump to people's lips when a particular job or challenge comes up.
"Direct mail for software? You should get in touch with Bob. That's what he does." Insert your own name and specialty where appropriate.
You can't get that kind of awareness or referral if you're someone who just writes about anything in any medium. Nobody is going to believe that you are a trusted expert in absolutely everything.
So how do you determine a viable 'niche'? You have three choices...
1. Niche by industry...
That is to say, work within a particular industry. For years I worked with pharmaceutical clients. All my clients were drug companies. I wrote direct mail, brochures, sales aids, video scripts. I wrote anything, so long as it was about pharmaceuticals. That was my niche. And my clients knew that I was knowledgeable in that area. So they came to me.
2. Niche by medium...
In this scenario, you make a particular medium your specialty. After my years with the pharmaceutical industry, I decided to specialize as a direct mail copywriter. And for that period, about 15 years, I ONLY write direct mail and associated media...like inserts, fliers, postcards etc. I was a direct response specialist. And I wrote for all kinds of different industries - financial, cable TV, magazine publishers and more.
My specialty, my niche, was as a direct response copywriter. Other writers have built their careers around writing annual reports, radio scripts, white papers etc.
3. 'Double-Niche'
When you double-niche you are making a specialty of serving a single industry through a single medium. For instance, writing direct response for the financial industry. And ONLY writing direct response for the financial industry.
In conclusion...
As I said at the beginning, you can't be an expert at everything...not within every industry, not with every medium. So you need to take some steps to find your niche.
How do you choose? First, know yourself. Know what you are good at. Know what you like.
Also, be smart. Create your niche where the money is. Find your niche where there is a strong market.
And be smart about the size of your niche. Don't go so narrow that you're forever starved of work. Don't go so broad that people view you as a Jack or Jill of all trades, a generalist.
About the Author
Nick Usborne is a freelance writer, author and speaker. For more articles and resources on making money as a freelance writer, visit his site www.FreelanceWritingSuccess.com
Things You Must Do If You Want To Create Sales Pages, Mini
by: Jim Kelley
Almost everyone I have known since getting on-line five years ago
has a driven ambition to design their own web site or sales pages
for some project of theirs. Yours is a special design or article
that makes it tough to design everyday web-pages for it seems.
But thru the years what I call "html" blues has stopped more than
one project to fold. The endless 'TESTING' to make sure
everything works as designed has caused more than one to turn
away from a profitable career on-line. This program is designed
to create perfect code EVERY TIME. All you have to do is copy and
paste to your page or site for publication. I really wish I had
this when I first started out a 'newbie' I would have had more
hair now!!!
1.
Almost everyone I have known since getting on-line five years ago
has a driven ambition to design their own web site or sales pages
for some project of theirs. Yours is a special design or article
that makes it tough to design everyday web-pages for it seems.
But thru the years what I call "html" blues has stopped more than
one project to fold. The endless 'TESTING' to make sure
everything works as designed has caused more than one to turn
away from a profitable career on-line. This program is designed
to create perfect code EVERY TIME. All you have to do is copy and
paste to your page or site for publication. I really wish I had
this when I first started out a 'newbie' I would have had more
hair now!!!
1.
Hire a professional, do a lot of study time, or use a program
like mine to elimate the "html" blues caused by the trial and
error method that takes forever to get right for instant set-up
and use.
Unless you are computer literate, html trained, the strain of
completing the trial and error method will cause you to pull your
hair out! Plus if you have to 'hire' the work done by a
'professional' you are never really sure it only has what you
want programed to work in your space.
2.
like mine to elimate the "html" blues caused by the trial and
error method that takes forever to get right for instant set-up
and use.
Unless you are computer literate, html trained, the strain of
completing the trial and error method will cause you to pull your
hair out! Plus if you have to 'hire' the work done by a
'professional' you are never really sure it only has what you
want programed to work in your space.
2.
Plan, Plan, Plan, and just paste and copy!
With your own copy of Instant Site Maker you can 'experiment'
with all the ideas you have in mind and select the ones that work
best for you. With my program on your desktop it will be easy to
fill in your facts and paste and copy the correct code to your
web-site or page!
3.
No experience needed to have PERFECT CODED pages and site
information in under two minutes!
The program offers a step by step process that takes all the
guess work from preparing your information in the correct format.
PLUS you will have RESELL RIGHTS to make an additional stream of
income from family and friends who do want to hire someone else
to solve their html blues, YOU!!
In closing I want to impress upon all the buyers of this program
the tremendous RESELL RIGHTS value of this program. Even if you
have never wanted to 'sell' anything on the Net your family,
friends, and associates could very well make this the 'best buy'
of your career!!Please visit:http//www.seldomrest.com
About the Author
Jim Kelley has been marketing online for over eight years. He
leads a research group that tests new ideas and reports on
those that actually work. If you want to save time, save
money and learn what really works when it comes to making
money online, visit Jim at http://www.seldomrest.com/
With your own copy of Instant Site Maker you can 'experiment'
with all the ideas you have in mind and select the ones that work
best for you. With my program on your desktop it will be easy to
fill in your facts and paste and copy the correct code to your
web-site or page!
3.
No experience needed to have PERFECT CODED pages and site
information in under two minutes!
The program offers a step by step process that takes all the
guess work from preparing your information in the correct format.
PLUS you will have RESELL RIGHTS to make an additional stream of
income from family and friends who do want to hire someone else
to solve their html blues, YOU!!
In closing I want to impress upon all the buyers of this program
the tremendous RESELL RIGHTS value of this program. Even if you
have never wanted to 'sell' anything on the Net your family,
friends, and associates could very well make this the 'best buy'
of your career!!Please visit:http//www.seldomrest.com
About the Author
Jim Kelley has been marketing online for over eight years. He
leads a research group that tests new ideas and reports on
those that actually work. If you want to save time, save
money and learn what really works when it comes to making
money online, visit Jim at http://www.seldomrest.com/
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