7 steps on starting Online Business

NI HAO PEOPLE!

Assalamualaikum wbt. If in the previous entry I have talked about the products that can be market through online business here for this entry I would like to tell you guys HOW TO START AN ONLINE BUSINESS. Basically this entry will be about ways/steps or things that you need to consider before starting up an online business. According to (Moon, 2007) there are seven steps to be considered before starting an online business which are listed below: 

Step 1: Find a need and fill it

Most people who are just starting out make the mistake of looking for a product first, and a market second. Therefore in order to boosts your chances of success, start with a market. Some tips for you guys are: 

• Visit online forums to see what questions people ask and what problems they're trying to solve.

• Do keyword research to find keywords that a lot of people are searching, but for which not many sites are competing.

• Check out your potential competitors by visiting their sites and taking note of what they're doing to fill the demand. Then you can use what you've learned and create a product for a market that already exists--and do it better than the competition.

 Step 2: Write copy that sellsThere's a proven sales copy formula that takes visitors through the selling process from the moment they arrive to the moment they make a purchase: 

• Arouse interest with a compelling headline.

• Describe the problem your product solves.

• Establish your credibility as a solver of this problem.

• Add testimonials from people who have used your product.

• Talk about the product and how it benefits the user.

• Make an offer.

• Make a strong guarantee.

• Create urgency.

• Ask for the sale.

 Step 3: Design and build your website

Once you've got your market and product, and you've nailed down your selling process, now you're ready for your small-business web design. Remember to keep it simple. You have fewer than five seconds to grab someone's attention--otherwise they're gone, never to be seen again. Some important tips to keep in mind: 

• Choose one or two plain fonts on a white background.

• Make your navigation clear and simple, and the same on every page.

• Only use graphics, audio or video if they enhance your message.

• Include an opt-in offer so you can collect e-mail addresses.

• Make it easy to buy--no more than two clicks between potential customer and checkout.

• Your website is your online storefront, so make it customer-friendly.

Step 4: Use search engines to drive targeted buyers to your sitePay-per-click advertising is the easiest way to get traffic to a brand-new site. It has two advantages over waiting for the traffic to come to you organically. First, PPC ads show up on the search pages immediately, and second, PPC ads allow you to test different keywords, as well as headlines, prices and selling approaches. Not only do you get immediate traffic, but you can also use PPC ads to discover your best, highest-converting keywords. Then you can distribute the keywords throughout your site in your copy and code, which will help your rankings in the organic search results.

 Step 5: Establish an expert reputation for yourself

People use the internet to find information. Provide that information for free to other sites, and you'll see more traffic and better search engine rankings. The secret is to always include a link to your site with each tidbit of information. Give away free, expert content. Create articles, videos or any other content that people will find useful. Distribute that content through online article directories or social media sites.Include "send to a friend" links on valuable content on your website.Become an active expert in industry forums and social networking sites where your target market hangs out.You'll reach new readers. But even better, every site that posts your content will link back to yours. Search engines love links from relevant sites and will reward you in the rankings.
 

Step 6: Use the power of e-mail marketing to turn visitors into buyers.

When you build an opt-in list, you're creating one of the most valuable assets of your online business. Your customers and subscribers have given you permission to send them e-mail. That means: You're giving them something they've asked for.You're developing lifetime relationships with them.The response is 100 percent measurable.E-mail marketing is cheaper and more effective than print, TV or radio because it's highly targeted.Anyone who visits your site and opts in to your list is a very hot lead. And there's no better tool than e-mail for following up with those leads.

 

Step 7: Increase your income through back-end sales and upselling 

One of the most important internet marketing strategies is to develop every customer's lifetime value. At least 36 percent of people who have purchased from you once will buy from you again if you follow up with them. Closing that first sale is by far the most difficult part--not to mention the most expensive. So use back-end selling and upselling to get them to buy again: Offer products that complement their original purchase.Send out electronic loyalty coupons they can redeem on their next visit.Offer related products on your "Thank You" page after they purchase. 

Happy digesting all those steps people. Well it would be difficult at the very first but imagine the happiness that it would bring later?! 

LET'S START AN ONLINE BUSINESS NOW 

-ShaAsilah-