Investing in an inexpensive digital camera is worth effort and cost. Your ability to take pictures of your product and download to your site provides immeasurable savings of time, money, and aggravation in long haul.

Even when you turn web site maintenance and operation over to marketing staff, as your business grows, there is something to be said for a business owner who can not only manage but has basic mastery of its internet operations.

5.How can they buy product or use service? The Contact and Order Page provides easy access to you or a company representative—essential to business growth. In this fast paced society, people still want to know they can communicate and receive immediate responses to inquiries they may have and gain clarity about services or products they are purchasing. This page can include an auto responder (auto responder means providing a section for automated responses to questions).

Individuals complete auto responder form on this page, including name and e-mail information. In comment section, they provide and specific concerns or questions. The message is automatically sent to your e-mail. You can automatically respond). This is a great way to build your customer base and attract new customers while exchanging information and ideas. Including Auto Responders also suggests you care about customer opinions and concerns.

As an order page, you can investigate several e-commerce companies that provide merchant accounts so that people can buy immediately. Pay Pal is one free merchant on line account services. Your customers identify product to purchase, can pay through a secured system and you follow up by shipping orders. There is a charge for sales transaction. There are others.

The important consideration is knowledge that you do not have to expend hundreds of dollars in start up phase to enter competitive market professionally, ready to serve your market.

Be Mindful of Traps

After reading this article, you may feel challenged by process of web site development. My caution is that you take each step a bite at a time. If you decided to contract with an independent web site consultant, make sure you have direct contact with this individual via phone or visit. Prepare a list of questions including clarity about level of control you will have over your site.

What is rate for additional and ongoing costs? Have consultant detail, in writing, exactly what is included in basic development package, how they charge for maintenance of web site, and when does it begin (for some charges do not occur until site is up and running; for others charges begin as soon as they have completed design).

Be sure final contract for service is in writing, providing a clause for both to terminate agreement, with proper notice, without penalties for you. Ask questions! Ask questions! Ask Questions! The only stupid question is one you don’t ask. The key is that you establish a comfort level before moving forward.

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Do You Have A “Niche” Market? Who are your customers? A niche market is a small group of people who have a particular interest in what you are selling. It is important to develop a description of people you feel will purchase your product or will be receptive to services you offer. Your marketing plan is developed based on identity of your niche market. Your niche market will be composed of people buying products and service that will benefit them. Look closely at your product or service and compose a list of potential customers. Remember, people seek to buy things that will help them or make them or their loved ones feel or look better. Your goal is to have your business viewed as offering something of benefit to others. Take time to evaluate your product or service then decide what type of people will benefit most by using it. They will be your niche market.

Can You Afford a Marketing Strategy? You’ve developed your business plan, secured start up financing, identified your “niche” market and are ready to sell. Implementing a marketing strategy is an area where we all have made mistakes. Often we assume only way to get an idea, product or service recognized is to invest large sums of money, lack of which means no success. Don’t forget to think out of box. With just a little exploration in basic marketing techniques, you can get into competitive arena on a limited budget. Instead of spending an enormous amount of money, you will reinvest energy resulting in better use of quality time.

You can invest in low cost e-commerce web sites to advertise and market your product or service. It is best to research and select web site programs that allow you to prepare, edit, add and delete content and pictures at your own pace. Take time to learn how to manage your own site and save money. Publish articles on web, so that you can attract customers to your site. Establish auto responders on your web pages so that people can interact and learn more about your products. Family input is key. Let them participate in this process. Encourage them to share ideas and include them in step by step planning and development process.

Will You Be Successful? Your level of success in working at home is measured based on amount of input and time you invest in your business. It will be enhanced by quality partnerships you develop with people as close as kitchen table. If you include your family in very beginning of planning process, they will be your foundation of support,encouragement, and strength. They will be key assets for promoting and marketing strategies. They will be your first line of defense and support during those challenging and “lean” times every business experiences. Starting and running a business is a family affair. If you can determine their comfort level of involvement, you will help increase your chances for success.

All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to electronically reprint following article as long as no changes are made and byline, copyright information, and resource box. Minimal content editing is allowed; however, you may request changes to content byline: e-mail MA@meetingtheneeds.org with necessary changes. Off line printing is permitted. Please send a copy of article on publication to: VMAssociates, Inc., PMB 47182, Windsor Mill, MD 21244.