A Reality Check
No matter how small your business may be, you need to have an internet presence to succeed in the global marketplace. With the surge in on-line shopping and the popularity of the internet over the past few years there has been a massive increase in the so-called 'Experts' or 'Internet Gurus' offering overnight wealth and internet riches based on very little substance. We are not in the business of making false promises, we will however, guide you through issues which surround electronic commerce and how you can harness the power of the internet and develop strategies for marketing your goods and services to the online community through our Rent a Website Packages and other available products.
Because going online only requires a relatvely minimal investment and the prospect of big rewards can be quite high, we have provided this reality check specifically to enlighten and create awareness as to what can be expected. Obviously the end result still relies entirely upon you and your abilities and stamina to survive the learning curve.
Your Reality Check List
- Do not expext to make money overnight. 'There is no such thing as overnight success', just ask those who have made it and you will find years of planning, dedication and hard work before they became an overnight success.
- Do not expext to see profits before the end of at least first six months and then it could be much longer. So if you have given up your employment to sell online, make sure you have enough funds to survive at least between twelve months and three years. Even better, try your online business before you leave your job and then when it is generating a livable income you can throw in your job.
- Set your sights conservatively. Anticipate perhaps only one sale or one new lead a day depending on your product. It is estimated that you will need a minimum of 200 visitors to your site (and foten even more) for every one sale, so set you budget accordingly.
- Expect to spend a lot of time 'learning the ropes' and 'computer language'. Whether you use a Rent-a-Website Package another website designer or you do it yourself, there will be times when you need to understand what and how things are done and the language used. We try to make our information easy to understand without too many technical terms, however, should you decide to purchase your website and do it yourself, it would be wise to take this into considerations
- Expect to spend some time getting your systems, software, staff and policies up to scratch. If your are serious about your business, you also need to understand that nothing ever works right the first time, no matter how carefully you may think you have structured it. With our Rent-a-Website Package system, some of these tasks will come as part of your Website-a-Website Package thereby easing the burden of tutorials, training and our Forums.
- Expect a lot of 'False starts'. Just as telemarketers have to learn to spot good leads, so will your internet marketing staff. Your Rent-a-Website Package will provide the basics of internet marketing by registering your website on search engines and directories relevant to your business needs.
- Expect to want to change your website several times over the first few months. Your research may show that you have a market for your products in one specific area and you have built your website to reflect this. However, after the website release you find that what you first thought to be your 'Primary' product proves not to be as popular as your research has shown and you may have to re-assess your business direction. Obviously this can be an extra expense if you decide to change or re-work your website. With Rent-a Website Package we can change your website to suit your needs as many times as you may require at a very reasonable cost if any at all (depending on the changes)
- Expect to make mistakes. Everyone does, even the experts. Learn by your mistakes and benefit by ours. Ask questions as often and as many as you need until your understand. We all had to start somewhere.
- Do not become discouraged. One sale a day does not sound like much, however, when you look at it from the positive point of view, your actual costs of making the sale over the internet means you may not have had any extra wages, rent, or overheads and other expenses to pay. Considering this it doesn't take much to make a profit in the long term. With the Rent-a-Website Packages, we offer the use of our forums for discussing your issues when you are feeling discouraged or have come to sticking point in your business, we have a business development background and understand small business.
- Be Patient. If you have a good, solid product or service and sensible marketing strategies in place, you will make it, the money will come. Hang in there!
A website on its own is not enough to make you a success overnight or any other time. However, a reality check at the beginning of your on-line business venture will prepare you for whatever follows and a Rent-a-Website Package will help make the unknown less daunting.