How To Keep Your Online Business From Getting Lost In Cyberspace

Is It Possible To Survive And Thrive On The Internet?

Even though the Internet is a huge Wilderness, it is a fact that the general population is leaning toward going online for their purchasing decisions. From buying a car to purchasing flowers for a loved one or finding a realtor in a “soon to move to” town and of course we can’t overlook finding that special and very unique gift. Just like any off-line business, on-line entrepreneurs reveal at the prospect of presenting their wares to a huge sales audience. This presents a exciting environment and tremendous opportunity for any entrepreneur looking to generate high volume revenues.

It’s a matter of focusing on your on-line marketing to drive prospective customers to your on-line store to grow your business. Internet marketing can be a daunting task but by following a few simple guidelines, it can be accomplished. The rewards greatly outweigh the energy spent in starting and maintaining your Internet business.

Here are few tips to help you get started:

1. You Will Need An Effective Website

If your website does not reflect a level of planning, trust and professionalism, that instills confidence, you could miss out. If you just can’t wait to tell friends and relatives of your website, then chances are, it will not work for you. If it doesn’t turn you on it most likely won’t anyone else either. Take your time and develop a website that showcases the product your are selling in a most professional way.

2. Give Something Of Value Away In Exchange For Their Email Address

This is known as engaging the prospect or getting their attention. You only have a few seconds to capture the prospect’s interest, do it with flair. Make your landing page compiling and desirable. Make an offer they can’t refuse, but do it with integrity. Always be up front and honest. Use plenty of sub-headings, bullets, and other ways to make the text look interesting. It’s best to use graphics or pictures to help drive your point home. You copy should be well written and to the point.

3. Challenge Your Prospect To Act

Even though your copy is extremely powerful, it is of no use unless your prospect acts.

A good call for action can make all the difference in the world. Ask them to sign up for a free newsletter or e-book by simply filling out a information gathering form. A free report can be a rewarding incentive for your prospect. Be sure the information you give is of value and worthy of your prospect’s participation.

4. Publish an Electronic Niche Letter

A very valuable and cost-effective way to reach your niche is through the publishing of a newsletter directed at your particular niche. This not only provides your prospect and customer with valuable information but it also establishes you as an expert in the field.

is a powerful and cost-effective way to reach your target audience. Service providers, retail operations, and any other business that relies on client relationships can benefit a newsletter also gives you a chance to contact your prospect or customer repeatedly. This repeat exposure builds a bond between you and your customer.

5. Search Engines Seek Valuable Content

When search engines crawl the web the look for relevant information that is fresh and useful. Websites that are stagnate are penalized by the search engines by lower page rankings. To boost traffic, add new content on a regular bases. You can do this by adding articles, posting press releases, current news or upcoming events, posting reviews, or any other type of content of value. By doing this you are enticing the search engines and visitors who stop by to spent more time on your site. You also give visitors a reason to revisit from time to time as they look for new information.

6. Choose Key Word Wisely To Optimize Your Site for Search Engines

When people begin a search, they do so by entering a search word. These most often used key words are your ticket to search engine optimization. Include selected keywords within the text on your Web pages that potential visitors are apt to use to find you. Use these keywords and phrases at a rate of about six percent throughout your landing page. For example, if you are selling guitars in Nashville, your site should include the terms Nashville, guitars, Nashville guitars, buy a guitar, and guitars in Nashville. These words and terms should also be embedded in the meta tags for each page on your site.

7. Write and Publish Articles of Interest

If you want a quick and effective way to get links back to your website for search engines to follow, consider writing and publishing articles. Articles are a sure fire way to build expert status in the field of your expertise. People searching for information find your article and follow your tag back to your website. Each article has a bio or information about the author along with a click through tag back to their website. There are hundreds of article directories where you can submit articles for publishing.

8. Write and Maintain a Blog Site.

Blogs are like having a dialog with other bloggers by allowing short entries on a regular basis. For best results post several times week. Blog entries are like email, they don’t have to be very long. In fact, the briefer you are the better (remember, online attention spans are short!); three to four sentences is enough. Ideally Blog topics should include something to do with your industry, personal opinions on related subjects, links that are useful. Spend some time visiting other Blog sites to get some ideas.

9. Set up a Autoresponder

Autoresponder automatically captures a visitor’s information and sends emails back at regular intervals. You control the message and how long the messages will be sent. Most Autoresponder will send one email per day for one year. It’s a proven fact people make judgments after at least seven repeat exposure. Make sure your email letter is informative and offers something of value.

10. Set up a pay-per-click Campaign.

A very effective and quick way to lure traffic to your website and increase the possibility of business is with Google’s pay-per-click campaign. This approach allows you to bid for top placement in the search engines and pay for each click through to your site. Bids start as low as one cent per click and can be as high as several dollars for completive keyword terms. If you have done your job in setting up your site and it has a high rate of converting visitors into customers then pay-per-click can grow your business rather quickly.

11. Social Networking

Websites like UTube, Facebook, MySpace and a host of others are a great way to get the word out. Let everyone know your are there and how to find you. Friends trust and buy from friends. Make friends and mean it. don’t make a friendship based on their potential as a buyer but base it on a real relationship, you’ll enjoy it concededly more.