What once was far has now become close as the power of the internet brings business and clients closer together faster. The internet has made it possible for many entrepreneurs to start and run successful businesses.
Getting a start online begins with your own website, domain and server space.
A website can be viewed as your online business premises and the platform from which you sell your products and services. Your website will, in most cases, present the first impression your clients receive of your business before even shaking your hand. Just like a bricks and mortar premises you will need to stock your website, clean and maintain it, check the sales and keep it looking clean, fresh and inviting.
Proper research and a mastery of some of the jargon will help ensure that your website does not cost you an arm and a leg – but make sure you do do your homework before you commit.
Before you spend endless time worrying if your site looks good, think about these points first:
- Does it tell visitors what I do upon first glance? If a prospective client lands on your site, would he be sure of what you offer? Make sure that this ground rule is set securely in place.
- Can visitors easily navigate your site? It is pretty pointless to offer great products or services at great prices, but the average person can’t find it on your site. One of the most important rules I ever learnt in business is ‘speak to the lowest common denominator’ which in turn means is that if the most basic of people can’t understand what you can do for them, then you missing out on the biggest audience you may have. (A tip well taken and used over the last couple of years, sure my teacher thought I was just throwing his PEARLS to the swine )
- SEO (Search Engine Optimisation): In plain terms – CAN GOOGLE FIND YOU? Ensure that the company builds and manages your site, understands that maximum effort needs to be taking so that you will not be left behind in the business race.
- Contact Details: Make sure that all possible correspondence avenues are reflected on your site, everything from department email addresses and telephone numbers to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn account links.
- Find a Good Host: If your site is down more than it is up then you will lose valuable business.
- Payment Systems: Clearly state your payment terms and options. EFT, Paypal etc. If you sell your product online, make sure you explain to your clients how they will; Get the product, Pay for it, Track the process, What to do if something goes wrong, Your guarantee and How to return your product.
The Small business owner has so many things to worry about today, and this, the first in the series, will be followed with more advice to help you succeed online.
One last piece of advice from my wise, old and handsome teacher; “Take advice from many people, sift through it, decide for yourself which is the most valuable and then implement and experiment yourself”.
