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Top 10 Tips for
Successful Online Advertising
The
experts agree that the only constant online business is that the
rules will certainly change. However, experience does deliver
wisdom. And small businesses are learning how to get past the common
stumbling blocks. Profit shares some business tips for anybody about
to plunge into e-commerce waters, whether they're simply planning to
advertise on a search engine site, conducting transactions with
suppliers or selling on the web.
- If you are advertising on the
Internet, be sure your logo and message leave a lasting
impression; the rule of thumb is that you're better to shout
than to whisper to the fickle Internet user.
- Hire the right skills; technical
knowledge is important but customer service skills are
absolutely paramount.
- Expect some handling with your
customers and suppliers; e-commerce is new and they may need
help.
- Be transparent about your mistakes,
and let your customers know that you're trying to remedy the
situation.
- If you're considering selling on the
Web, ensure you have a strong marketing plan that will reach the
right audience. If it's business to business, be certain your
electronic data exchange strategy works for your company.
- Stay on top of the competition; the
Internet pipeline is so fast, it's mind-boggling.
- Have a privacy and security strategy
in place; you can install software to help protect the privacy
of your business and your clients. Be sure you understand the
legal restrictions of the collection, use and disclosure of
personal information.
- Align you e-commerce priorities with
your business goals; if your business priority is extending your
reach and capturing new customers, then your web site could
support 24-hour, year-round shopping.
- Move quickly; waiting for the Internet
technology to change will only give your competitions more time
to gain momentum and win.
- Overbuild for traffic you don't
expect; triple digit growth is not uncommon today.
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