How to Grow a Business Using the Internet

A quick search of the Internet finds businesses of all sizes making sales, from huge brick and mortar chains to mom and pop operations. It's obviously working, but you don't want to put your business at risk just for the sake of being online. There are things you should know about how to tap into this revenue stream and grow your business using the Internet.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Begin with a plan. You didn't start your business without knowing what you were getting into, so don't try to grow your business using the Internet without a plan. Think about things like whether you have the inventory and infrastructure to handle big demand. They don't call it the World Wide Web for nothing.

2. Grow slowly. Don't invest more money than you can afford to lose at the very beginning. You can always add software, hardware and people to handle your new business successes from the Internet.

3. Make sure everything works. As you go online, be sure all your Internet tools and links are operating properly. Nothing frustrates a customer like something that doesn't deliver as promised, and that includes your website. The same applies for your strategy. You'll find so-called experts with widely different and conflicting opinions, and soon you will discover there are no right answers. Try something. If it doesn't work, try something else.

4. Target buyers. There are millions of people using the Internet, but the percentage likely to buy your product is small. Find ways to identify and focus on your best prospects.

5. Write strong copy. With the Internet, your words are the key to sales, since buyers can't pick up and hold your product. Make sure your copy is well written with a powerful message that attracts buyers that will help you grow your business.

6. Learn the tricks of the trade. You've probably used a search engine to find something you are looking for online, but now you want to make sure your company comes up when someone else does a search for a product like yours. Understand how keywords work in searches, and how you can get more hits using links from other sites. There are many other strategies to help grow your business using the Internet, including writing articles on other sites, blogs and ads to name a few. Add more tricks as you understand and are comfortable with them.

7. Follow up with customers. If they bought once, they very well may buy again. But you need to maintain lists (as detailed, specific and organized as you can) to target follow-up emails. And track whether your follow-ups are working. Consider ways of getting email addresses of people who visit your site but don't buy (perhaps a giveaway that requires them to register).

Tips & Warnings

• Consider hiring an expert to handle your Internet operations, but check them out carefully first. Start by knowing what you want to accomplish and can afford, then check out the reputation of any firm that you might hire. Check around for recommendations or red flag warnings.

• Be wary of sharks. The Internet is full of people who claim to have made billions online and are eager to help you grow your business using the Internet for a fee. Many are legitimate, but there are snake oil salespeople out there too. Approach with caution.