Virtual Toolbox
Trying to run a successful online business can be more than just time consuming, it can be financially consuming as well. Wouldn't it be nice to have all of your virtual tools in one toolbox to run your internet empire?
For the serious minded netpreneur, certain tools are a must but how to get them affordably without wasting time and valuable resources is a dilemma. Personally, I believe that there are five major areas that need to be dealt with when trying to establish an online presence that you intend to nurture and grow as far as it can grow.
These areas of interest are hosting, exposure, automation, systems and training (with products to boot would be nice).
I have found that finding a suitable service for any one of these particular areas is a job all by itself that can and will take away from the vital time you need to learn, manage and grow your online enterprise. Let's take a look at these areas a little more closely.
Hosting
1000 mb webhosting monthly is probably a dream for most online startup business but a dream to be had in order for expansion to take place. Now you may be saying that your'e just starting up, why do you need to expand? On the other hand you may have an established presence and think that you don't need so much space. Think again. If you are really serious about making you living online, and your product/service is good, your business will grow, whether you want it to or not. Planning ahead is proactive which is always a better choice than being reactive.
Along with a hosting package I would look for at least 40 gb bandwithdth monthly, the ability to host 10 domains and unlimited subdomains. Why you ask? Again growth. A true netpreneur is always on the lookout for products to promote or create and adding on to your existing domain or website is not always an option, neither is always buying a domain name for each new product or service.
With the option to host more domains and/or subdomains, you eliminate a possible source or business growth stagnation. Eventually as you grow, you are definately going to need more bandwidth for downloads, images and such. You may as well look for it all now instead of later. Most companies offering packages like this will cost your around: $14.95-$24.95/month, not bad if we were done.
Exposure
Even most newbies know what it takes to get exposure for their website, product or service. In case you don't know I'll give you a couple of time proven hints. Write articles, participate in forums, press releases, ads, start an ezine or newsletter, whatever you want to call it. These are just a few but basically you have to get your name out there on the net. It is a proven fact that most people will not do business with you unless they have some type of relationship with you or you have a truly incredible item to sell. Even so, it takes an average of 7 to 10 contacts before a persons may decide to purchase from you.
Let's say that you're getting plenty of traffic and making some sales, how do you keep that from dieing out? The problem then becomes, what to do with that exposure.
My suggestion would be to go fully automatic with all of your repeated day to day activities. You need to have and upkeep a mailing list of targeted clients with a mailing list manager. You need to be able to respond to request and queries fast and efficiently with regualar and rss autoresoponders. And any business person worth their salt needs to have some type of customer support system in place as well as a rudimentary affiliate program at best to duplicate your own efforts with promotion. Let's take a look at the cost.
Doing some research on the net will show that packages that include a promailing list manager, unlimited autoresponders and rss autoresponders will cost: $19.95-$49.95/month. Add to that your Affiliate program manager Customer support system and you add another $49.95-$69.95/month. Whew! And you aren't making any money or not much, is it worth it? Answer this question, how serious are you?
Systems
Okay you thought I was finished? Not quite. In my opinion, you need two more pieces of the puzzle before you'll be all set to tackle the world on online enterprise. One is Unlimited ad trackers and another will be a Membership manager. The ad trackers are to track your ads of course. Not wasting time on a promotion that isn't working will actually save you money or make you money according to what your perspective is and as you grow, your affiliations will grow. Your members list will not only be a source of income for you but a network of hopefully like minded individuals who are set as you are on mutual collaboration with the goal of making a living online.
A good system will Cost: $14.95-$29.95/month. Now i'm almost done, but don't worry I won't be quoting any more prices. If you search around and find quality deals along with quality products and services your Total cost will be between $99.80 and $174.80 each and every month - or over $1,200/year!
There must be a cheaper alternative but first...
Closing the deal
When I look for services and/products, I try to find those that offer either Training and products, Top Marketing Courses and Ebooks with reprint rights. In this situation I am the client.
You should always do more than what your client expects. You want them to stay loyal clients don't you? Of course you do. Not only is the client right, he/she should always be pleasantly surprised with more than what they bargained for. This is what I expect when I make purchases online and you should expect no less.
How hard is it to find all of this and do you really need it? I believe the answer to that is, if not now, you will. If you are serious and dedicated to starting and running a new or existing online business you should only gather the best tools. Just like any handyman, technician or scientist, you need the proper tools that you must use to achieve your goals. Doesn't it make sense that they be all in the same box, from the same manufacturer, with the same warranty? I think so.
Does it have to cost so much? I know for a fact that it does not!
You owe it to yourself and your business to consolidate in order to offer a better product and service to your clients, I believe that lack of consolidation is one of the reasons that there is so much junk out there on the internet today.
Think about what you have read and then, For more information concerning this aricles topic go to http://www.affiliatedcommerce.com
I hope that you found this article useful, you can email me with comments at andrew_writes@yahoo.com
Andrew is a writer and an Internet Marketer. Watch his progress as he gives day by day detail on what it takes for him to make it on the internet at http://www.andrewwitherspoon.blogspot.com
