Wednesday, August 20, 2008

This Is A Mistake Often Made By New Businesses

Category: Finance.

Have you ever thought about starting an internet business?



Regardless of your approach to internet business, to ensure the success of your business, you need to know of, and apply the following 7 key points. 1) Demand- - Lets say for instance, that you have a really amazing product, and a website that looks like a million dollars- -but what if you have no demand for your product? It could really be as simple as opening a Yahoo Store, or on the other end of the scale, as complicated as building your own, dynamic, professional, e- commerce website. In saying that, you aren t going to be left with a sword in a gun fight. There are the choices and possibilities of advertising in Ezines, affiliate programs, joint ventures, referrals, and even as simple as encouraging word of mouth. In the online world, there are many ways to advertise and generate demand for your product. Remember, what do you, without demand have?


Where does a business without sales end up? 2) Order- - Its all well and good to have visitors to your website, but they don t do anything for us unless they become a customer. No sales. However, its not as easy as it first appears. A straightforward and simple ordering process will do wonders for your business. Now, once your visitor has turned into a customer, you need to ensure that them becoming an actual customer, is as easy as possible. Less clicks and less time it takes for a customer to complete his or her order, the better it is. 3) Payment- - If there was any part of your business that you would not want to get wrong, it would be this- -how payment is actually being transferred between you and your customers. Not only are they an easier and quicker method than most other forms of payment, but it also goes to a psychological level.


Generally, when taking into account online businesses, the most popular method is credit card transactions. Credit Cards exude a" buy- now, think- later" attitude. However, it would also, in saying that be a wise decision to use alternative methods of payment. Taking this into account, you, as a business d be making more profit and sales if you accepted credit cards. After all, the easier it is for your customer to find ways to pay you for your product, you ll see a more efficient increase both in sales and customer numbers. 4) Fulfillment- - Now payment has been received from your customer, the path isn t clear just yet. Your products need to be delivered, remember! This is a mistake often made by new businesses.


Generally, if you sell digital products, the industry standard is for the product to be delivered instantly. Your customer expects this, so ensure this is in place. Generally through a download link. Physical products require more attention to detail. Ensure that your customer is informed every step of the way. Namely physical delivery. Communication is essential.


Feeling insecure is something your customer should never have to experience. 5) Service and Support- - A good and trusted business will always endevour to provide and utilise excellent customer service support. If at all possible, send your customer a means of tracking the product through the course of its delivery. To a decent extent, your online business customer support will determine whether or not you get repeat purchases, or if your customer requests a refund. After all, this is the industry standard. The support abilities of your internet business should be efficient as possible. At the least, a well- structured and timely e- mail support service should be available to the customer.


More advanced methods such as utilising online helpdesks, live chats, FAQs, a ticket system, will help greatly, a knowledge base. The more professional your online business becomes, so should your support methods. These are just examples, there are more support methods out there which you can use. 6) Security- - The internet business world is filled with people who are honest, and are willing, trustworthy to do everything to help the customer. And as such, the internet community at large are getting more aware of ways to protect themselves from the internets less desirable people and activities. But, on the other hand, the opposite is also very true. Namely, E- commerce frauds.


Simple things, such as using a secured server to process your payments, can help more than is seen on the surface. Because of this, it is upto you and your business to ensure that your visitors are protected, and to prove to them that they can trust you. A digital certificate can also help your business, so purchase one if you can. Whatever you can do to provide your customers with some piece of mind. 7) Community- - Your online business has begun to flourish, and you have now received more than just a few sales- -by now you should be thinking about starting a community. Physical mailing addresses, and even a phone number where your customers can contact you. A community in any sense is about belonging to something. Use your customers as a community development team for your product.


In this case its no different. Use their suggestions and comments to develop and change your product( s) . Well there you have it! Not only is this an excellent way to increase product ideas for your business, but with every new product release or update, you ll see an increase in sales ratios, and you will also have built a loyal customer base. Utilising and practising these 7 keys will not only help your online business grow and flourish, but will also ensure your customers are happy, too!

Read more...

Bankruptcy - Lindsey Dalessio's Finance blog:

Remember one of the most popular board games of the 80& rsquo.

Need More Information About Auto Insurance - Cara Hee's Finance blog:

Auto insurance is an necessity, but why pay more for it than you have to? Many people choose to pay auto insurance on a monthly basis.

Also Note That The ACRX Cards Will Come To Your Organization Already Pre- Activated - Finance:

Charles Myrick the President of American Consultants Rx announced the re- release of the American Consultants Rx community service project where over 20 million ACRX discount prescription cards were donated throughout the country.

No comments: