Warning! The Truth About Having a Web Site!
by Judith Kallos
Published on this site: May 20th, 2005 - See
more articles from this month...
If you don't have a Web site yet, are thinking of slapping one
up or have one that simply isn't producing, this Warning is for
you!
All too often folks contact me about getting a Web Site when
they really have not done their due diligence in determining
even if their "idea" is one worth investing in.
And although they hate spam and don't believe most of it,
they do tend to fall into believing much of the fast, easy
and cheap noise online in existence only to line the pockets
of shysters and unscrupulous developers.
Here are some questions you need to ask and investigate getting
the answers to so you can realistically determine if your idea is
one worth pursuing and investing in. If any "solution"
tells you these questions are not of concern, raise that red flag
and run as fast as you can in the opposite direction! Certainly
don't give them a dime of your hard earned money!
- What will your online expenses be for your Web server,
ISP connection, E-Commerce application, Web Site development
and maintenance?
- Why will people buy this product/service from you over any of
the number of Web Sites currently online?
- Have you searched at Google with your top 3-5, 2-3 word keyword
phrases to get an idea of the level of competition you may be
up against?
- How do you intend to get your new Site found?
- What is your marketing plan to compete with the Sites already
online that are promoting the same product/service?
- Can you offer your product or service at a competitive price
and what is that?
- Will your suppliers support your requests and potential growth/demand
for the product?
- Is the quality of your product/service in line with the price
you are asking?
- How much will it cost to have enough inventories to support
orders while additional product is in transit?
- What options will I have for shipping, where will I ship and
what will I charge respectively for shipping and handling?
- What are the issues to consider and the best rates/providers
for a Merchant Account so that I can accept credit cards securely
on my site?
- What are my policies and return procedures in regard to online
ordering?
- What are the tax and legal requirements and implications I
need to consider when doing business online?
Unfortunately, all too many think that by just getting your own
dot com and throwing up a Web Site - selling... er... well... anything,
and then just sitting back and waiting for the orders or e-mail
to roll in, they will soon be on the path to IPO-dom or financial
freedom.
What happens when site owners do not do their due diligence or
realize after the fact that this is a business with the very same
responsibilities just as in the off-line world? What if they do
not get all the above questions answered and a firm understanding
of what will be involved before they jump online?
They end up not becoming successful while wasting a lot of their
hard earned money. Having a Web site for commercial gain is not
simply a bunch of pictures and code that make a pretty presentation.
It is serious business and needs to be run as such if you plan to
succeed.
You need to know the basics of running a business from accounting,
to operational policies, to tax and legal issues. You need to be
prepared to plan how your marketing program will adjust to this
evolving technology both on and off-line based on data and trends;
how you will adjust as well.
Do you want to have your very own successful online enterprise
that you worked hard at, built to be successful and are proud
of based on sound business practices and proven principles?
Or do you prefer to throw money at the hype that negates the
need for any serious efforts?
The choice is yours to make - not the developer or promotion touting
Fast!, Cheap!, Easy!. Remember to use your common sense if
it sounds too good to be true when it comes to becoming successful
online, it is!
Judith Kallos is an authoritative and good-humored
Technology Muse
who has played @ http://www.TheIStudio.com
for over a decade.
Check out her popular Netiquette site @: http://www.NetManners.com
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