By Kevin C. Hart
[March 14th, 2001]

See Also   Why You Need an Add URL Page   A Tale Of Two Sites   Don't Duplicate...Differentiate!   The Continuing Battle Against Online Fraud   Taking Care of the Pennies   How To Recession-Proof Your Business   Your Fulfillment Choices   The Silent Thief - How to Get Rid of TopText   A Checklist for Accepting Credit Cards Online   Five Questions That Will Help YOU Succeed Online   Back To "E" Basics   Beyond SET: Enhanced Security for Online Transactions   Just How Serious is Online Fraud?   Your Direct Channel to Customer Service   Online Customer Service: Best (and Worst) Practices   How to Survive the Dot.Com Shakeout   Step-by-Step to Your Own Profitable Web Business   Where Do Average People Find Business Success?   What's REALLY Required To Start An Online Home Business?   CRM in SmallBiz: Disappointing Misconceptions

With all the horror stories floating around about failing e-commerce companies, it amazes me that anyone is still willing to make the effort to start an online business.

Just keep in mind that ALL news - not just business news - is primarily bad. Why? The sagas of those who have ventured all and lost miserably seem to be more exciting to most people than those of rags to riches. However, despite the media reports, e-commerce is still an exceptional way to make a living.

If you're planning to start an online enterprise, or if you are currently a netrepreneur who is struggling, let me offer some inspiration. You CAN create your own tale of e-commerce triumph with a little foresight. Here's how...

...You give it some thought.

Give your business a little thought prior to jumping into the online world. Answer the following questions:

QUESTION 1: "What Type Of Products Or Services Will I Offer Through My Web Site?"

Do you have a talent or skill you can market online? Do you produce a unique product from your home? Are you looking for a joint venture, multilevel marketing or affiliate business to run?

If you plan to link with another company, you have a big advantage. They will more than likely provide you with products to sell along with marketing materials and references to other people who have successfully built online businesses doing the same thing you are planning to do.

If you plan to offer your own product or service, make a list. Seeing things on paper often helps to clarify questionable areas. You may decide there are complimentary products you can offer that you had not previously considered. You may also find some additional questions you need to answer before your launch date.

QUESTION 2: "How Will I Present These Products Or Services To My Clients?"

No doubt, if you are planning an "online" business, you will have to create a Web site. This means finding reliable vendors for Web site design, copywriting, Internet service provision, Web site hosting, e-commerce shopping malls or carts and credit card acceptance.

QUESTION 3: "How Can I Accept Payments In The Most Efficient And Customer-Friendly Way?"

There are several methods of online payment acceptance. Internet checks, email payment services and even companies who will allow your customers to charge purchases to their telephone bill. However, the best and most convenient way to accept payments online is to use credit cards.

Almost 80% of online shoppers prefer to use their credit card over any other method of online payment. It is recommended that you investigate the possibility of setting up a merchant account.

QUESTION 4: "How Much Money Do I Have In My Business Budget For Start-Up Fees?

To quote motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, "Money isn't everything, but it does rank right up their with oxygen!" We have to have money.

While the Internet is considered the "Land of the Free", most of the services I mentioned above will have to be paid for. Obtain the cost for each and add it to your preliminary budget. These figures will comprise the biggest part of your set-up costs.

QUESTION 5: Where Will I Acquire The Knowledge I Need To Start And Maintain My Company?

The Internet is called the "Information Super-Highway" for a reason. You can potentially find information on any subject in the world... provided you have the time to search for it.

If patience isn't one of your most prominent qualities, you might consider hiring a consultant to give you direction and help you find vendors, marketing methods and the most strategic way to operate your company.

All three of these will contribute greatly to your bottom line profits. Having someone you can lean on - especially in the beginning - holds benefits that far outweigh the cost.

Creating an outline of what you'll need in order to be successful is half the battle. Many small businesses leap at an opportunity before they know exactly what it will take to make it online.

With a little forethought and planning, you might very well be the next Inspirational Tale of E-commerce Triumph!

Kevin C. Hart specializes in providing 100% complete, turnkey E-commerce business set-ups. For affordable, reliable Web hosting, Internet service provision, E-commerce shopping malls and other high-tech services that can start your online business in overdrive, give him a call (toll-free) on (888) 554-4070, or visit his site right now: http://www.webtopconsultants.com/