By developing a proper opt-in list of people interested in your niche you can protect against changes in search engine algorithms and sell more products to the easiest type of people to sell to - existing customers!

It's not necessary to sell to your list - you can use your list to drive traffic to your site and collect revenue from adsense or a similar type of advertising program. Without a list you're not protecting your downside - a mistake few entrepreneurs would seek to avoid.

Many people would think that building their lists would take hard work and a lot of time to build and collect names and addresses. This is not so, it takes a bit of patience and some well thought out strategies. It is well worth that effort!

There are many sources and articles in the internet available for everyone to read and follow in building a list. Sometimes they may be confusing because there are so many different ways. Different groups of people will have different approaches in building an opt-in list but no matter how diverse many methods are, there are always some crucial things you must do.

Here are the top four:

1. A Well Constructed Opt-In Page

Your opt-in page (sometimes called a squeeze page) needs to make a good first impression. An eye-catching title and bullet points of benefits should be immediately followed by a simple and easy to understand opt-in form.

2. Tracking and Testing

It is vital online to test and track your results. However you accomplish this you must test and track your subscriber opt-in rates, headlines, content and click thrus. Without this information you won't know what works and what doesn't - why waste your time on something that doesn't?

3. Provide Good Content and Products

Even if the foundations of your list building are rock solid you won't keep your subscribers if you email or sell them junk. Take care to provide good content and never sell a product without testing it yourself - you're leaving your whole business wide open!

4. Keep Your List To Yourself!

Never sell or rent the names and email addresses of your subscribers. Everyone hates spam and your subscribers are no different. They have trusted you and you should respect that trust. Your reputation will depend on it!