How
much does it cost to start an
online business?
If
anyone asked me that question
right now they would probably
fall about laughing at my answer.
You
see, I know for a *FACT* that
you can get your own online business
up and running for under $100.
Now
you may think I've gone insane,
but the proof is right in front
of your face........this article.
I've
done it, you are looking at the
proof.
No,
I'm not a marketing guru with
a million dollars in the bank,
but I am an online business owner
who started for under $100.
Providing
you already have an Internet ready
PC, so can you.
The
bad news.
You
have to realize one thing, if
you are not prepared to put in
a WHOLE LOT of work, then don't
go down this route with your online
venture.
Getting
your business up and running is
just the start and if your not
willing to put a little cash into
your new venture, then it's going
to be a long road ahead.
Yes
it can be done, and when you start
to see a profit from a business
started in this way, the feeling
of achievement is multiplied many
times.
All
too often I see web sites offering
"guaranteed" success,
yet they don't offer you their
ongoing support or any training
whatsoever. How can they guarantee
your success if they don't even
know you or aren't prepared to
invest some time into helping
you get started? There are no
guarantee's of success in any
form of business, online or off.
That
said, the chance of success is
far greater if you have a *proven*
path to follow and also someone
to guide you onto that path.
Now
for the good news!
You
can have a web site, affiliate
programs, pre-written e-mail campaigns,
newsletter and ongoing help to
put it all together for under
$100.
If
you make the right choices and
follow the right advice, you can
get resources and products that
people who have been online for
years haven't found or utilized.
You
can also get them at little or
no cost.
Unfortunately,
the one thing that you won't get
with all the above is the most
vital piece of the Internet marketing
puzzle..............customers.
It
doesn't matter if you have the
best sales copy in history on
your site. If nobody ever sees
it, you will never make any money.
That's
where the work comes in.
Getting
customers and visitors to your
web site is the all important
"X-factor" in running
a successful online business,
and one of the best ways for getting
customers to your web site or
subscribers for your ezine doesn't
cost a cent.
It's
also one of the most under used
tactics.
Like
I said earlier, you must be prepared
to invest a large amount of time
into your business if you follow
this route.
It's
your business, the hours you are
putting in now will help change
and shape your future, don't fall
into the trap of thinking you
should be spending all your time
learning about search engines.
There are other ways to generate
traffic to your site.
If
you learn how to do this next
step effectively, you will generate
a good rate of traffic to your
web site and over time it will
create you a viral advertising
effect!
Writing
articles
One of the tried and tested free
ways to get visitors to your web
site, is to write and submit articles
to ezine and newsletter publishers
on a topic that relates to your
web site. I personally think this
is the way to go if you're low
on advertising funds.
Only
write articles that relate to
the web site you want to promote.
If
a person clicks on a link in your
article about fishing and they
are sent to a web site selling
sewing machines, you can bet they
won't ever read another article
with your name on it again and
your credibility will be lost
for good with the reader. If your
article happened to get picked
up by a publisher with say a 30,000
subscriber base you just lost
a big chunk of potential customers.
So
you need to focus your efforts
on the subject of your website.
Also
at the bottom of every article
you write you *must* add a resource
box giving a little bit of information
about your web site or autoresponder
course and what the reader can
expect by visiting your site or
submitting their email address
to your autoresponder. Also you
need to include a link to the
web site or autoresponder. (see
bottom of article)
The
bottom line:
Credibility
is what will give you a long and
successful online business and
get visitors and customers to
put their trust in you. Treat
visitors to your site and those
who give you their contact details
in a way you would like to be
treated and you will earn their
trust.
Once
you have their trust, it's only
a matter of time before they become
your customers.
Best
of luck.
Gareth
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| About the
Author |
|
Gareth
Longbottom can show
you how to get your
own fully functioning
online business, up
and running in 24
hours. Complete with
12 month e-mail marketing
campaign.
http://www.totalonlinebusiness.com |
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