Vincent Sparreboom

Posted on October 27, 2009

1. Don't decide immediately on what you're going to sell.

Think backwards instead of selling your products to your customers; why not find customers to determine what product you’re going to sell. Find and join a discussion group and newsgroup and provide an answer to what the people want. Know the likes and dislikes of your potential customers and what they are looking for. After you known what they are actually lacking or looking for, find solutions that would give them what they want. You can join affiliate programs or joint venture with a company that is already established, or you can just create your own product that can satisfy your customer’s needs.

 

2. Stand out from the crowd by being unique.

You must develop a Unique Sales Position so that your product would be irresistible to your potential customers but in a novel way. Your potential competitors are out there and you you need to research the list of products that they have or don’t have. Check out their performance and find out how you can compete with them, make a list of your data and make a decision on what to do in order for your product to become unique.

 

3. Have a positive attitude.

Believing in your product without any doubt is more important than having an in demand product. You must always have a positive attitude when going into your ventures. Make people believe that you are giving all your energy and enthusiasm to the product that you are selling.

 

4. Never stop planning.

Are tactics and strategy the same? Don’t be confused, they are different. Tactics are day-to-day actions, while a strategy is an overall goal for the kind of business or website that gives accomplishments to you as well as your potential customers. A powerful strategy must be developed so that all your marketing efforts will both be guided and empowered.

 

5. Your Unique Sales Position must be designed with a content rich and a customer friendly site.

You must always realize that most of your prospects and customers are impatient because what they really want to know is; what's in it for them. Keep in mind that you only have a few seconds to make them interested in further exploring your site. Stick to the KISS (Keep it simple, stupid) principle. From the title to the ordering process of your site, it must always be simple and straight forward. Immediately explain Who, What, Why and What you are about, concentrate first on your content development rather than fancy designs. When you think about it, that’s really what your potential customers want.

 

6. Pick a domain name that is catchy and easy to remember.

You must pick a domain name that can easily be search by anyone, which is related to your business and preferbly holds your product name. Gaining market share is not so much the key factor as it is in gaining “mind share." This means the recognition of the brand. Your title must be catchy and meaningful so that it expresses a feeling or image in the mind of the consumer which will stick to them.

 

7. Don't save money when it comes to selecting a hosting service.

Your hosting service can make you look good, or it can make you look bad. Your service together with your computer is the key equipment to your business. Are you planning on being in the business for a period of time? Then choose one that offers secure server and tracking options. Do you want them to take you seriously? Then you must seriously consider all the aspects of your web business.

 

8. Make purchasing as easy as possible.

Do you want to make sales through the web?? If so, you must have a fully functional E-commerce system built into. With regards to your product or service, any time a visitor need to purchase a product, they must be able do this by just a click of a button. You must make sure that your site can make shopping a fast, fun and easy experience. Provide a simple yet effective shopping cart or ordering system to your impulse buyer.

 

9. Keep your site up-to-date for service and security.

One way to make sure that your customers return to your site is by updating it and regularly adding new products. Add valuable content that would make it difficult for your customer to get through it in a single visit. You must always revise and update your site and see it as an ongoing project so that more visitors would be interested in it. You must expand your product or service line regularly, and this is where affiliate programs come in handy.

 

10. Establish your online presence.

Use the internet to make different kinds of advertisements and promote your site so that people would know about your site or product. From affiliations and link exchanges. Furthermore, you must register to indexes, directories, guides and yellow pages. Make articles, classified ads, press releases, and participate in discussion forums and newsgroups; make use of the online promotional tools. If you have the money and can afford it advertise with flyers, posters, business cards, direct mailings and newspaper because they are too very effective ways of letting everyone know about your business.

 

11. Grow your own opt-in list.

Do whatever means possible to make your prospects leave their email addresses. If you have new products, you want to inform your buyers and previous visitors first. Give them your special report, product samples, free ads, or anything to get their email addresses so that you can mail them your newsletter. Your prospects will learn to trust you because of the relationship that you are building and trust will resolve in easy sales.

 

12. Be patient and consistent in your promotional efforts.

Patient is a factor in a business, and you must also think long term. Success won’t happen in just a matter of one night, it takes a lot of effort and hard work. Strategies your moves by planning ahead and developing the right moves for the right time. The more thought and energy you exert in promoting your business, the better your business will do. Make step by step plans with your business and eventually all your hard work will be rewarded. Attracting serious traffic as soon as possible in to your site will make your efforts and expense validated.

 

 

13. Your computer is your most important business tool, make sure it's reliable.

If you want to conduct your business online, then when it comes to your computer setup always choose for the best, even if it cost you extra. Choosing for the fastest modem, memory, processor and other computer gadgets is what I would suggest. And in the end you will be very grateful that you did.

 

14. Don't rest on your achievements.

In business there’s always a learning process and room for change, and you must always be prepared to do so. So, you must be up to date when it comes to your field of work and in general the world of online marketing. Without the knowledge on of all the above key factors no one can prosper in their business. How to improve your offering or product? Constantly evaluate what your competitors do, compare it with your own efforts.

 

15. Keep track of your successes and failures and reward yourself when you succeed.

Keep trying different kinds of advertisements, and track all your ads so that you know what worked or not. Use different techniques and approaches to uplift your business.

 

16. Consistently follow-up with all your customers.

Ask your customers on how they liked the way you served them or how they liked the products, and if there’s anything else they want from you. Always remember that selling a product to an old customer is better than with a new one. And having a good etiquette is a plus to your business. Make it a habit to check your e-mail several times a day, if you neglect your customer, they will not care for your business too. Never allow any e-mail inquiry or complaint to go un-addressed for more than 24 hours! You must be courteous and your responses must be on time, and all your correspondents must be addressed to your customer’s name because it’s all about customer service.

 

17. Even though it's home-based, it still work, run your business as your business.

If you have your own business, it's very hard to maintain the discipline or work motivation every day. Essential tasks that need to be done might be neglected if you are easily distracted. During work hours never stay up late or do things other than your work. Even though it’s very tempting, but in order for you to become successful with regards to your business, you must do this to accomplish your goals. Make a list of all the things you want to do. Set goals for the week.

 

18. Don’t give up!!!

Always have in mind what your goals are and never let discouragement slow you down. Remember, that having failures mean that you have the chance to improve as well as from success. If you want to have a reputable business and cultivate a customer you must be willing to wait because it takes time and effort, whether online or offline. In reality, a business often takes six months to a year before you can actually make a profit. The sooner the better but don’t expect it. Always do your best and never slack off too much when it is going your way. You will be successful once you tune all your effort into your business.