How to Sell a Product Online

It seems everyone is selling his or her wares on the Internet. Get your company and your product online fast, or you'll be left behind.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Web Site Developers
• Web Software
• Domain Names
• Search Engines

1. Launch your own Web site. Contract with a Web site hosting company that will provide you with access to a Web server, an Internet address and e-mail.
2. Sign up for search engines. Register with each one individually or look for companies that can register you with myriad search engines, Internet malls and Internet directories for a discount price. They will also make suggestions on ways to increase the number of visitors to your site by registering certain search words and phrases.
3. Design your site so that it looks professional. You don't have to spend a fortune, but try to be original.
4. Exchange banner ads with other Web sites to help drive traffic to your site.
5. Promote your site offline. Put your Web site address on business cards, letterhead, fliers and sales tags and in classified and display ads. Until you develop a strong Web presence, most of the hits on your site will come from visitors who specifically sought you out.
6. Provide as many options as possible for people to do business with you online. Accept credit cards; take orders via fax, mail and telephone; and agree to deliver c.o.d.
7. Establish a steady supply of return customers by maintaining a high standard of customer service and implementing a policy of product guarantees.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a domain name that's easily connected to your company or product name. If your company name is Acme and you sell a product called Rough and Tough Trash Cans, your domain name should be acme.com, acmeroughandtough.com, roughandtough.com or something similar.
• Take every precaution to make sure that the personal data transmitted between site visitors and you is protected (see "Make Your Site Secure for Credit Cards" under Related eHows).
• If you aren't able to develop a Web site for your company, contact online catalogs, place your products with them, and let the catalogs serve as your online presence.