Autoresponders are an exception. These simple software gizmos can be set up in minutes, then left to run automatically for years. When someone requests your autoresponder messages, they get first one instantly, then are emailed additional messages over time.

Here are five easy ways to do more business automatically with autoresponders.

1. Instant sales information, again and again. I love to put an autoresponder address at end of classified ads. Not only can prospect request your info, your autoresponder can send it to them instantly, then keep additional information coming to them day after day.

I use a 10 message autoresponder to provide information on a business opportunity. My site tells people to type in their name and email address for more information. They instantly get a message with their name on it. Another message comes next day and next. Then autoresponder waits a few days before sending fourth message. Because not everyone wants to buy right away, autoresponder gets back with prospect each week for several months.

This gives you follow-up method that most selling requires. Rather than having to go through your rolodex each day and call prospects, your autoresponder contacts them automatically.

2. Follow-up after sale. Customers rank follow-up after sale number one shortcoming for most businesses. One smart entrepreneur has an autoresponder send a thank you note moment customer places an order. The note offers additional help via email or phone. Several days later a second email arrives with news of a new offer. Finally a third messages goes out two weeks later checking on customer's satisfaction with their purchase.

1. Build a solid business foundation. Design a business plan, marketing plan, ideal client profile, and a site map for your web site.

2. Be consistent. Brand your company.

3. Make your website trustable. This article will show you 10 ways. www.coachmaria.com/articles rustableweb.html

4. Create policies that build trust: customer service, code of ethics and newsletter privacy policy.

5. If you have pages on your site that you update monthly (like an articles page or recommended links page) say so on page.

6. Find easy and secure ways for your clients to pay you. A shopping cart with paypal and a secure merchant account works very well.

7. Network locally to bring people to your site.

8. Check your links regularly to make sure they all work. Use a free link checker like: http://home.snafu.de ilman/xenulink.html

9. Place your website address on all your printed literature -- business cards, brochures, newsletters, letterhead, email signature, ads - everything!!

10. Offer added values that make sense to your business and ideal client. This can include affiliate programs, books, and recommended links to websites.

11. Use your web address in your signature for emails (change it regularly to highlight something new you're promoting).

12. Add a "Recommend This Site" on your site. If someone visits your site and knows someone else who may appreciate it, this feature will email page's link to a recipient.

13. Provide monthly chats or bulletin boards (forums) to build a relationships and community.

14. Instead of a link to subscribe to your ezine, offer a subscription box on your most viewed web site pages.

15. Teach classes or speak to groups about subjects relating to your products.

16. Permission market by gathering email addresses of students or audience as part of your evaluation form.

17. Add a favorites script such as "add this page to your favorites list" to some pages.

18. Conduct periodic contests and announce winners on your site.