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Internet Business: There are Success Stories 

Internet Business Overview- Page #2           

See Internet Business Page # 1 

There are plenty of Internet business success stories. As mentioned in the Starting Your Own Small-Business Course and on several other pages on this web site, you must find a niche and a way to market yourself and enough capital to survive.  You can still get an Internet business off the ground if you work hard and learn as much as possible.  It is possible with a Web business to not need many employees, if any.  Other than possibly needing some technical assistance to set up and run your site, it's quite possible that you can handle much of running a web-based business yourself.  If your Internet business takes orders, you may be able to do that yourself along with a fulfillment house.  You also don't need an inventory, a night watchman, or a shovel to clear snow off the sidewalk so your customers can get to your Internet business.

Some of things that you will need for an Internet business, and in  particular if it is set up for online retail sales, might inclu:

•  A Web hosting service that specializes in e-commerce.

• An uncluttered, well-designed page layout.

• Easy navigation for browsing, getting detailed information and purchasing items.

• Clear, concise product descriptions with photos.     

• An easy point-of-purchase method that moves customers through the process quickly, and that doesn't intimidate or overwhelm them with the need for personal information.                                                                  

• Good customer service.                                             

• Clear graphics that load quickly.                                     

• A page clearly explaining return policies, shipping charges and so on. 

In order to succeed with your Internet business you need to learn to think like an online customer. Consider your own experience in the past purchasing on the internet, or at the very least talk to other individuals who have purchased products over the Internet. Then get to know what people look for on an Internet business or e-commerce website. Browse various types of websites and get to know what they feel like and look like.  Be critical in your analysis and evaluate which sites are easy to navigate and purchase from and which ones are more difficult.  The point of ordering is usually the most important juncture in the whole e-commerce process.  If customers have to click repeatedly to get through the process they will simply go somewhere else.  You need a fast, dependable, foolproof server.  You need to be able to have various payment methods similar to an off-line business.  And you may also want to consider having a conversion process for foreign currency, due to the global aspect of the World Wide Web.  Finally, you're Internet business needs to have a very reliable method of shipping; otherwise your reputation will quickly diminish. Many Internet business web sites have gone out of business by simply taking on more than they can reasonably handle. 

Remember, your Internet business should allow customers the opportunity to shop from the comfort of their homes or other locations. Ask yourself: How can you capitalize on that?  What could help you to enhance their trust and confidence?  How can you make the shopping experience an easy, time-efficient process with your Internet business? 

Information from Rich Mintzer's The Everything Start Your Own Business Book

Web page by Paul Susic MA Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate CEO/President Susic Psychological Consulting P.C.