You should be keeping in touch with them at least monthly. Even if it’s just an email asking how they are enjoying your product or service.

Ask them if they were pleased with customer service they received from you or how can you serve them better.

One of most effective ways to keep in contact with your customers is to send them a newsletter. With email, it’s easy to create your own electronic newsletter or ezine. (For info on how to start an ezine, visit http://www.epdigest.com)

But make sure your ezine is more than just a sales pitch. People will tire of that quickly.

Instead, offer tips on how to best use your products, include new product information, offer discounts on upgrades, or create a frequently asked questions (FAQ) column.

Your goal is not to be just a company that sells products, your goal is to be solution provider to your customers’ problems.

If you’re stumped about what content to include in your newsletter, send out an email to your customers asking what they’d like to read.

TIP: You’ll get a much better response if you offer an incentive for them to reply. Offer a free e-book or discount on your other products.

If you’re just starting your business, you don’t need to purchase an expensive database to store your customer list. Many email programs have versatile address book features where you can store and update your list.

Microsoft Works includes both a database and spreadsheet program that are easy to use and won’t blow your budget.

How Third Party Processors operate

The payments your customers make are processed through third party’s own merchant account, and you retailer is paid (minus a commission) by third party processor. This allows you to sell online without necessity of having your own internet merchant account.

However, Third Party Processor makes its profit by charging a processing fee. Usually, third party processor charges are a little more on a transaction compared with having your own online merchant account. Though set-up fees are usually free or minimal.

So, there you have it. You can accept online credit cards on your website through a Third Party Processor without needing your own merchant account. Free internet merchant accounts by another name!

© John Lynch 2003

[ For some of best Free Internet Marketing help. Extensive Free web marketing courses showing how to start and successfully promote an internet business. Free ezine,and a Free spam check on your emails/ezine. Got to: http://www.merchant-account-service.com/third_party_processors.html ]