Obviously it's not that easy. The internet is a wonderful tool -- but just like in 'real world', some types of products sell better than others. Consider following:

__Is there a more convenient alternative?

Products that aren't easily available at a local store have a better chance of selling online. Not only is it often more convenient to simply drop in and pick up whatever you need, you aren't hit with additional shipping or handling charges (which can be significant when shipping heavy products).

Pet food is an example: my household of pets dictates that I'm often running out door to pick up more food. At one point I investigated ordering it online -- imagine, door-to -door delivery! -- but in end, I decided against it: not only would I have to wait for it to be shipped to me, but shipping costs were nearly as much as food itself!

__Is your product something a customer needs to feel or see before making a purchase?

A simple example is a wedding dress: most women want to try it on, walk around in it, and simply see how they look and feel in dress before they make a purchase.

Copyright (c) 2003 by Angela Booth

Remember old saying: "it's not what you know, it's who you know"? It's true. Your contacts determine whether your business succeeds or fails, and for reasons of credibility, that's doubly true online.

Many people bristle when someone suggests that they network. If term networking puts you off, then think of it as making friends. People do business with people they know, and your prospective clients need to hear your name many times before they buy from you.

Networking should be a cornerstone of your business. As my marketer friend Sally says: "Networking makes all your business activities more effective."

Sally loves using Internet to develop new contacts. She believes that you can establish business relationships more easily online than you can offline. "I'd rather have someone email me a proposal, than phone me. And if I'm one creating proposal, I'll do a Web search on their business before I email them. The more you know about them more effective your initial contact will be. I'm flattered if I know that someone has taken time to find out about our business before they contact me for first time."

=> Making new contacts step by step

With several hundred million people online, no matter how tiny your niche market, you'll find it easy to make contacts online. Some of these contacts will be people who are in same business you're in, others will be suppliers, or prospective clients.

Note: some people hesitate to make contact with competitors. When I suggested to a copywriting student of mine that she should contact local copywriters to see they were charging, she freaked out. She didn't want to have anything to do with her competition.

This is a short-sighted attitude, because:

* whatever your business, it's a small world. People know people, and people talk. If people know you because they've had some contact with you, then when they're asked about you, they're more apt to speak kindly of you;

* you'll learn what's happening in your industry: who's hiring, who's landed a big new contract, and who's slow-paying;

* you've got someone to whom you can refer clients, if clients want something that you can't provide (and with luck, your contacts will refer people to you);

* it's educational: you can swap techniques, suppliers, and shortcuts;

* and most importantly, you can find out what other local businesses are charging, and why.

So how do you start making valuable contacts online?