So, it is not about number of people online.

The "Secret Key To The Internet" is about communication.

Personally, I have been expounding this idea since I first came online in March of 1994. I was blessed with realization that Internet was all about ability of anyone to be able to communicate on a global scale.

This is an awesome ability. You, as an individual and for first time in history, are able to reach across time, space and national borders and touch people in every corner of our world.

This fact is proven by results of report quoted above. Their research found that 84% of ALL people accessing Internet do so to "communicate" via email.

For those of us wishing to do business online it makes poignant fact that you must use email as foundation of your marketing and promotional campaigns. Otherwise, you are missing point. And, you must do so without resorting to SPAM.

Of course, that is not to say that web pages are not important too.

The study found that over 67% of ALL people accessing Internet, do so in search of information. This points out that your product and or service information should be posted online on your web page.

The way to successfully capitalize on "Secret Key To The Internet", is to combine that ability to communicate and to deliver information that people seek in a customized package that is unique to your own particular situation.

Obviously, it is not as easy as it might sound. Otherwise, everyone wishing to do business online would be a net millionaire and all of those dot.com failures would never have occurred.

But those people simply did not get it. You, at least, now know where it is that you need to start.

What do you look for? What impression do you get? What are they offering me? What exactly is in it for me? Are they talking to me? Are they saying what i want to hear? What would make me buy immediately? Can i trust them?

Now you have your potential customers point of view fresh in your mind, look at your website and ask following questions (and any relevant others):

What do your potential customers want from you? Can they see what you are offering quickly? Can they see clearly and quickly whats in it for them? Is your text copy strong and actively selling your products? Is your site focused on your potential customers? Is your site's text, layout and organisation assisting them? Do they know why they should buy from you? What do your customers think of your site and your products? Is someone responsible for increasing website sales? Is that person doing that? If not, why?

The answers you get should start giving an indication of under-performing elements on your site and responsibility for website sales. Once identified, you MUST then look for ways to improve or remove them. Be objective and ruthless! If any element of your website is not selling your products - improve or remove it. Do not rest until all your site elements are actively selling your products.

A common problem area to look out for is weak text copy. Weak copy will not sell and should either be transformed into strong copy or removed. If its not selling your products dont hesitate to remove it. For example, if your copy says "free newsletter" its weak copy and is unlikely to compel anyone to subscribe to it. Either improve it or remove it - make it stronger "subscribe today and get this benefit, plus this one... its all 100% free".

Just like you, your potential customers are busy and bombarded by sales information continuously. Make your site work for them and stand out with compelling offers and products that solve their particular problem. Make sure, in no uncertain terms, they know your product can solve their problem and how. If they go away happy, it gives them a mental message to take away that they'll remember and identify you with, a sort of mental business card.

Put effort in and you'll get results. The new customer gets what they've been looking for, to solve their problem, and you of course get more sales. Everybody is happy.

Good luck!