Professional: (adjective) 2: exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in workplace 2 a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs.

Looking at definition above (courtesy of Merriam Webster), I am at a loss to find words cold or impersonal.

So why do you think it is that so many online business professionals feels that those two words belong in "their" definition of professional?

I have been involved in Internet business for over 3 years now. I have a background in brick and mortar business world that spans back a few more years than I'm willing to admit.

There is no question in my mind why so many Internet businesses fail every day. Or why many Mom and Pop brick and mortar businesses keep going when people can find better prices and more convenience elsewhere.

Let's call it Personal Touch.

Just because we are doing business on Internet doesn't mean that it is necessary to reinvent wheel. Professionalism online doesn't mean cold detachment. It's courteous and conscientious treatment of your prospective customers. This can be more challenging, but should be your number one goal for your business.

There are certain principals of business that apply no matter whether you are doing business in cyberspace or you are doing business in your own community.

1. Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

Oh, I guess that's it.

It all boils down to Golden Rule here, folks.

When I shop, either online or down street, I want courteous service. I want to be acknowledged when I walk in. I want to be smiled at. I want to feel that I am an important part of their day. If I have a question, I would like to have it answered quickly, accurately, and in a friendly manner.

I'm happiest when I'm given personal, and personable, interaction.

1. Technology To Compete - In bygone days, a small business usually lacked resources of their larger competitors. Now even a small business can access much of same technology as giant corporations. They too can use auto-responders, accept online payments and even deliver products over Internet. 2. Niche Markets Abound – The Internet has opened up all sorts of niche marketing opportunities that either never existed before, or were too expensive to tap into. 3. Lifting The Profile – With a professionally designed web site, it’s now easy for a small business on Internet to have appearance and credibility of being a large corporation. 4. Low Cost - Compared to other media, Internet enables a business to advertise at considerably lower prices. It may not be a replacement for other marketing, but Internet is generally cheaper than advertising on television, radio, or in newspapers, magazines and even by direct mail. As an example; posting out a mailing to customers will probably cost around $1.50 a pop (allowing for printing, postage etc), whereas to email same message to customers costs next to nothing!