1) A Business Approach
Some newer Internet Marketers don't realize that what they are doing is business. Some think of it as a way to get rich in a hurry because the gurus have put that notion in their heads.
A a website by itself is not a business.
A website is an important factors but webmasters (you) may leave out important considerations that would turn a website into a business. Many such individuals fail to earn significant income even after years in the marketplace.
2) A Place to Work
Now days that can be anywhere with portable computers and devices. But when you are working at home, you may want to have a place isolated from the noise and turmoil of everyday life. A home office is ideal. but office furniture and auxiliary equipment can make your life more pleasant. You may want at some time to have a filing cabinet and a fax machine / printer. You should have a rapid broadband Internet connection.
3) A Workable Schedule
Many folks have more than one job and they have family duties. A schedule for Intenet marketing is required to be effective.
Having enough time can be crucial and to find that time is important.
You might be able to crawl out of bed and hour earlier or stay up an hour later.
You might be able to grab some time during breaks and lunch periods.
Weekends are a great time to grab those extra hours you need. You can do it while providing adequate time for your family. Maybe your partner can take the kids to the park for a couple of hours while you catch up on your work.
4) Be Able to Describe Your Business
You should have an icon or logo for your business. You can get one for a few dollars at Fiverr.com. Write down a company motto or slogan. Be able to describe your business concisely in a few sentences. You can put your logo and motto on your business cards. When someone asks for you telephone number, had them your card.
5) Have Knowledge Of Your Services Or Products
It is important to have a comprehensive knowledge of the products and services that you sell or promote. You must compete to gain an edge over other websites (competitors) and that requires specific knowledge of your products.
6) Have a Tight Administration
You need to keep track of what is going on in your business. This could include:
a) Software keys and codes
There is nothing scrambling for a code when you need it to reinstall a computer program. You can save it on a WordPad file but get a little black book at the dime store just in case.
b) Website passwords
You should not use the same password for every site. Therefore, you need to keep them handy as above
c) Expenditures and Income
At the end of the year, you will want to know what expenses you had related to your business including your home office. Maybe your bank has such a program to keep track of your finances. If not, there are free ones like QuickBooks on the Internet or you can purchase one.
You will have income from several sources. This includes affiliate programs such as Click Bank and WAU. A record of your earnings is kept by such companies so it is easy to compile them at the end of the year. Also, sales made through PayPal are easily retrieved at years end.e) Vendors and Affiliate Links
Keep track of your vendors and links to their products. These links can be masked right here at WAU and you will be able to add tracking. It is nice to know where your buyers originated (clicked on your links).
f) Associates
Over time you will make associations that you want to keep track of. For example if you have a source for icons or content (writers), then keep track of them. There is nothing like wondering who the person was at fivrr.com who created your icon when you have another job for him or her. Also, you may have employees for which federal (country), state and local governments have requirements.
g) Protect Your Computers
Your business is in your computer. You must protect it using whatever security measures are necessary. Make sure you have backup on an external hard drive of some kind, Internet or on your desk.
7) Have Your Own Domain(s)
For any -based, online business, it is more than just essential to have a domain name for your business, it is vital. Never use a free domain for a blog. You will be sorry in the future when you want to convert. Also, you want full control. Free domains are not always "free." The site owner has his own interest.
NameCheap is source for lower cost domain names. I still use GoDaddy but I'm trying to reduce the number of domains I have. If I add a domain, it will be with NameCheap.
8) Have a Reliable Hosting Company
Your website should be up at ALL times. So pick a reliable hosting company. I have hosted here at WAU for almost five years with excellent service.
HostGater is a reliable hosting company. I have had experience with a number of hosting companies. Some have technical problems so be careful whom you choose.
9) Have Reliable Payment Processing
You need to accept payments. Paypal, for example, accept payment in a number of ways, including accept credit card payments online. This is an easy way to start. At some time you may want to have your own ecommerce account.
I sold books for years using a BizSystems website with ecommerce. These shopping cart sites can be useful. But you can set up a shopping cart free using Godaddy codes. I have one on one of my sites and it worked well for years when that site was still productive. (Yes, some sites have a life cycle. So you want more than one income stream.)
10) Use Email
You can build interest in your products by email. You can produce an email Newsletter to keep your customers and potential customers up to date. Email will allow you to show off your expertise and to build trust. Keep your business honest and trustworthy and show it by email.
Reliable mail managers are Aweber and GetResponse.
John
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