Take your business to the web: The bitter truth

Supposing you have a successful offline business, but no website to support it, you have probably considered building one. Some people may even be chiding you because you have not done so. Despite what you may have heard or others tell you, there is only one valid reason for building a website and that is to increase profits.

To build a site simply to have one, to be able to add name.com to the bottom of your stationery and business cards has a big potential for disaster. I know of two men who went into negotiations: $500/hour types. Successful by any definition you care to apply.

The Path To Online Success

If you are determined to build a successful online business, here is a plan that works, even if you are a newbie on the Web. The key to it is to take a small step in each of several areas all at the same time.

As long as each step takes you closer to your goal, then there is no hurry at all. That is, you can work with it as time allows. The trick is to avoid any move in the wrong direction, any step that is counterproductive.

The Fundamental Questions:

Begin by asking very specific questions such as:

·        Who will I sell to?

·        What will I sell?

·        How will I sell it?

·        How can a website help get it done?

·        What are my financial goals for this venture?