The vastly known description to that kind of online presence is "mini-sale-site". I wouldn't support that description as i don't think it is complete enough. The term "mini" usually refers to a one-two-three page website, only purpose of which is to sell some product/service. I should put here a big "BUT".

On contrast to that meaning, I could give you numerous examples of content rich websites with two to three pages of 5-10 power articles and a site that consists of 20-50 pages of blatant sales letters.

That is why main idea behind any "mini-site" is not a number of pages, rather then strict and unconsciously straightforward direction towards product/service selling. That is why any e-shop will meet "mini site" requirements as they are nothing more then a number of sales letters directed to turn usual surfer into buyer as quickly as possible.

Their TASKS are to:

1. Present visitor with a product/service; 2. Reassure her/him that it is best offer in whole universe; 3. Show them how they managed to live all that time without their product/service; 4. Give them a guarantee that they will even be able to "fly to Moon" tomorrow, if they buy what we offer today; 5. and close sale. If needed, capture your visitor's email and explain for next 5 days, that they are losing their unbounded wealth with each day of purchase delay.

FEATURES:

* The only purpose is to close sale. * Main income is generated by direct web-site sales. Indirect income streams through additional services, except all kinds of partner programs, are subsidiary. * Demands integrated e-commerce solutions to be able to serve smoothly all volumes of sales. * Relatively high business process automation.

How long is way?

Absolutely short. If you will come to one of those giant e-shops and be amazed by structure and service complexity, you would better not, as their core consists of a big number of sales pages with a bunch of additional services. If you have already seen yourself in chair of President or, at worst, Vice-president of such online giant reseller, all you need to do is setup one page sales letter web-site and then grow, grow and grow.

So, first thing you should do is make a personal assessment of who you are. For instance, what do you like? What are your favorite hobbies? Do you like working with or around people? Or, are you a homebody? Do you have any skills that could help you (such as typing, office skills, organizational skills, etc.)? What do you dislike?

Yes, what you dislike is as important as what you like. Without knowing what your dislikes are, you are liable to turn your projects into something that you don't want to do, but end up stuck with. Figuring out what you dislike before-hand will enable you to plan accordingly, and make sure that what you dislike does not interfere with what you are trying to build. Dislikes help you decide policies and procedures that you normally would not think of when writing out your business plan.

For instance: Do you like or dislike knocking on stranger's doors? Are you comfortable or uncomfortable talking to strangers face to face? How do you feel about telephones? Do you feel differently about emails or letter writing through postal mail?