Q4.What if I already have a web site? A4.No matter how good is my web site - it will age. I need to update it every 6 - 12 months. If your web site does not have a consistent targeted web traffic I may never get a Return On Investment. If it is a case - my web site may need an immediate makeover. Q5.What are typical web site expenses, including hidden? A5 - Web site design and development: $500+ (one off) - Web site hosting: $240+ (annually) - Web site marketing: $50+ (monthly) - Web site update and maintenance: $30+ (monthly) Q6.What type of web site is for me? A6.Typically there are 3 types of web sites on Internet. Depending on my type of business, its size and targeted audience I should choose from: 1.Basic presence on Internet Internet version of my business card and online brochure. Benefits: - extended branding of my business - all hours availability of information for EXISTING clients - improved image of my business - professional email address instead of my local ISP

Examples: legal and accounting firms, printing. Costs:$500+, annual maintenance $250+ 2.Powerful marketing tool Interactive web site. Benefits: - make existing clients return again and again - establishing special relationship with clients - get NEW clients Example: hardware shop, travel agency. Costs: $1500+, annual maintenance $500+ 3.Additional sales channel e-commerce web site suits retailers and wholesalers of goods. Works really well if brands and characteristics of products are well known or easy to explain. Great business value if price is right. Examples: stationary suppliers, books CDs,DVDs Costs:$2500+, annual maintenance $1000+

I've used all of these programs at one time or another, and each has advantages and disadvantages. In considering them, review strengths and weaknesses of their address books as well as their message composition capabilities.

Once your mailing list grows beyond a certain point (depending on your personal inclinations), you'll need to move it out of email program and into something more flexible.

In my case, once list got to something like a hundred subscribers, I found management of it frustrating. For example, adding and deleting email addresses from an email program takes more time and trouble than doing it in a word processing program or, on a more sophisticated level again, a database program.

In managing a list of several thousand, I use Find feature to quickly pick out and delete someone who wants to unsubscribe. Similarly, it's easy to get list back into alphabetical order at any time by using sorting feature of a word processing program.

Another growth issue: As your subscriber list grows, you may want to move away from your email program and use an independent mailing service. In that case, you go to a provider company and upload your list one time. After that, you simply paste your newsletter into a form they provide, and click Send button. Then, service sends out your email using its servers.

But, to get started you need only an email program, and you have many free and worthwhile options. Try each one out for an issue or two of your newsletter, to find what suits you.