__6. Build your business slowly but surely.

Instead of attempting to build your business into an overnight success, strive for gradual but steady expansion. Small businesses operating on tight budgets generally cannot afford to throw a pile of money into a marketing campaign that's 'hit-and-miss'. Instead, they find out what works, then build upon their successes.

__7. Create multiple streams of income.

Your business can continue it's growth by branching out to offer a variety of products or services. For example, an online business may earn income from sales of its own primary product or service, sales of website or newsletter advertising, and commissions from affiliate programs. Start with one income stream and gradually add to it when you have resources to do so.

Multiple streams of income will also help to 'buffer' your business against income fluctuations. While one product or service may experience a downturn in sales, others may not. Similarly, if it turns out that one income stream disappears (for example, an affiliate program shuts down), then you can fall back on your other products and services.

__8. Work together.

Use Internet to find like-minded entrepreneurs. Develop mutually beneficial working relationships with carefully selected businesses. This will provide you with opportunity to cross-promote your products and services, as well as give and share advice. A strong support network can help to build your own business as well as complementary businesses with whom you choose to partner.

__9. Keep educating yourself.

What works online today may not work quite as well tomorrow. Invest in continuing your marketing education and put what you learn to good use. You don't want your business to simply 'survive' online; you want it to thrive!

__10. Enjoy what you do.

If you don't, then business will only be a chore, not a pleasure. Being passionate about what you do will give you that extra energy and desire to build a business that continues to offer your customers quality products and services -- while earning a profit.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, a practical guide for beginners to the 'net. Packed with instantly usable tips, you'll love its focus on effective fr*e and low-cost marketing methods, specifically chosen for people operating on shoestring budgets! Get the details here: http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/article.html

Study your Competitors : Do a quick search on Google (the web’s number 1 search engine) for a common search term applicable to your business. For example, a pool table company should search for “pool table sales”. Now look at top 10 results. Your objective is to determine what these companies are doing to be successful in gaining such a high ranking in a Google search. Read their website thoroughly. Are they posting articles on other websites? If so, find out which ones so you can evaluate possibility of posting your articles there as well. What about inbound links? Who is linking to your competitors? (you can find this out by typing “link:www.yourcompetitorsname.com”). Why are these sites linking to your competition? Can you get a link from these sites as well? By studying key success factors of high ranking sites in your industry, you’ll unlock some great leads for you to investigate in quest to drive your site up to top of search engine ladder.

Through informative article writing, inbound link building, and an analysis of competing websites, you can beat that lonely feeling you get when nobody visits your website. Keep working at raising your online profile and maybe next time you throw a party, whole neighborhood will show up!