It continues to amaze and sadden me, just how frequently home based business efforts of people fail for various reasons. In fact, not many weeks go by that I don't receive emails requesting advice and help from home business marketers trying to salvage their investment into their online marketing business.
Just as common and frequent are the "typical" themes about "what went wrong". It doesn't really take many questions through inquiry to uncover what I feel is the root cause for their demise. Truth is many are guilty of multiple "violations" of what I call the "core basics" of establishing, maintaining, and ensuring your online based business stays healthy and thriving. This article seeks to identify those areas of focus, with the hope you will not repeat them for your home business.
No matter how wonderful or magnificent your website ? the bottom-line is that unless someone can find the site - it might as well not exist! Truth is, unless you advertise and promote your website through some means, you will never receive traffic, period. There are a lot of options, some cost money ? others your time. Pay-per-Click (PPC) possibilities include the major search engines such as Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc. Writing articles for publication, participation in forums, etc. are all examples of activities to generate web traffic that do not cost money that can be even more effective that the PPC methods. The point is: you have to advertise in some fashion to get traffic to your website. Otherwise, your home business activity will not last long.
It might seem obvious to you or I, but it is shocking how many failed home business activities happen where the owners rarely (if ever) correspond with their clients/customers. Whether it be new prospects, and especially from anyone that has ever purchased from you -- YOU MUST make efforts to promptly respond to their email inquiries, and keep in contact with them in the future. Many internet marketers are successful for follow up, subsequent sales later on ? not just focused on the 1-time sale and done philosophy. And to the point of not responding to emails ? the Number 1 complaint of customer support activities is long delays or non-responsiveness in responding to inquiries made by customers. For you to be successful, this simply is not acceptable!
Online users today are always in hurry and always "speeding" through the internet looking for "stuff". Likewise, they have keen eyes and memories when it comes to being aware of information and content on any given website. Unless home based business marketers frequently update our content (even if it is just to rearranging the landscape) they quickly perceive that it is an unattended site or otherwise not a place worthy of a bookmark to visit with regularity "to get the latest". We need fresh, exciting current information, events, and activities to keep the site "fresh". Otherwise, they will quickly find some other place that does.
Like the popular saying, "keeping up with Jones'" --in most cases - it is not a good thing. However, in the world of home based business and internet marketing ? it is a must! For small and home business owners, it is a great advantage to be able to continually look at "what the big boys are doing" in our respective industry niche markets. This allows us to be able to use the information as a benchmark or barometer for keeping prices, product line, content, etc., up to date and in line with the market. The classification for these efforts should be in the category of "market research", with the intended purpose of helping us stay current on the market and what is available, from whom, and at what price. This should be the primary method for idea generation for possible enhancements to our own product and service offerings.
The final area of focus is as much ethical as it is legal and prudent. No matter how tempting it might be, no matter who else does it---the answer is: DO NOT SPAM, PERIOD! Sending unwanted and unsolicited email to anyone else is not legal and is one of the easiest ways to get your business blacklisted and "out of business". Sure we all continue to get that junky unwanted stuff ourselves. But they will be caught, soon or later. Internet users have become so keenly aware of SPAM mail that they rarely are compelled to buy anything and more times than not delete SPAM mail without even opening it or reading through the message content. You must avoid this practice completely! It is clearly not worth taking such a risk. Develop and maintain a strict and compliant policy when it comes to SPAM mail and sending business emails. Learn the rules and practices about proper techniques such as Opt-In and Double Opt-In emailing. It will save your business someday, literally!
This information is not a comprehensive or all-inclusive list, but at least you now have a few of the "basics" of the mistakes "many" others have made. Learn from their bad experiences, so that one of theirs does not become your nightmare!
Copyright (c) 2006 Stephen Wright
Of course, there are scam artists who target those who want to start their own home based business, but there are also scam artists who target average computer users around the world. These scam artists are adept at creating web sites that look and feel just like the web sites that you commonly use. For example, they can make an exact duplicate site of your banks web site, in an attempt to trick you into providing them with your username and password, or other sensitive data, such as your account number or credit card number.
In home based business scams, however, things work a bit differently. In this case, the scammer simply wants you to give him your money, in exchange for a load of lies and unfulfilled promises. He doesn't need your bank account information, he just needs payment, which inexperienced hopeful people will happily give him. He will take your money knowing that he is crushing your dreams and draining your bank account - and he won't care.
So, how can you protect yourself from these scammers? The first step is to use good, sound common sense. As always, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Learn to recognize hype, and to avoid offers that are 'hyped.' Hype means that outlandish promises are being made. For example, a scammer might promise you that you can make tens of thousands of dollars in just a few short days, with little or no work. That is a common ploy used in scammy home based business advertisements.
Before you invest your hard earned money in any business venture, you need to fully research the company. Check with the Better Business Bureau first to see if there are any negative reports. You can also pay for a basic background check, which generally costs less than twenty bucks. A great deal can be learned from such basic information.
Use a post office box, instead of your home address, and never give out personal details if you can avoid it. However, when doing business online, many times you will need to provide personal information. When doing so over the Internet, make sure that the site is secure by ensuring that the web site address in your address bar begins with https://, instead of just http://.
Read everything, including the fine print, and make sure that you don't pay for anything until you have read all agreements and such. You should know exactly what you are paying for, before you send that payment. If possible, ask to talk directly with other people who have invested in the business opportunity, and verify who they are. Note that a scammer can put people up to telling you anything that they think that you want to hear, but often, when asked for references and such, a scammer will move on.
Once again, use good common sense in all transactions, and trust your instincts. If it feels wrong, it probably is. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you are unsure, do not move forward until you are sure. The right business opportunity will come along, but by paying attention, and knowing what to be on the lookout for, you won't spend a great deal of time or money investing in business scams.
Both Stephen Wright & Shelley Lowery are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Stephen Wright has sinced written about articles on various topics from Breast Enlargements, Marketing Campaign and PPC Advertising. Stephen Wright is President & CEO of Would you like to make money online, but don't know where to begin? Here's 3 easy steps. Stephen Wright's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.
Shelley Lowery has sinced written about articles on various topics from Credit Cards, E Books and Online Dating. Shelley Lowery is a successful well-known Internet Marketer and the owner of . Join Shelley in the most exciting, legitimate business opportunity. Shelley Lowery's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.