How People Can Find Your Website Online

A few weeks ago on The Big Bang Theory, Penny started a home business making “Penny Blossoms.” This episode was a great picture of what a home business can be like, except for one thing. When Leonard designed her website, the group was looking at his work when orders started flooding in. THAT does NOT happen!


The biggest misconception of having an online business is that, “if you build it…they will come.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Whether you will be selling product online, or just advertising your business online, your efforts are wasted if you don’t learn also how to be FOUND online.

Think about your own online shopping experiences. If you don’t know where to find something online, what do you do? You search for the product in your favorite search engine right? The result will be websites, not just stores, that mention the product you are searching for. For the most part, you will find what you are looking for on the first or second page of results that are provided to you. But what if YOUR pages don’t appear on the first or second page of the search engine results. Will people bother to click further down in the results?

Chances are, they will not. So your number one goal when setting up your website is to work on getting your pages listed on the first page of search engine results. Here are some things to remember:

1. Domain names matter. If you are going to have a store where you sell numerous items, you will likely purchase the domain name for the name of your store, if it’s available. If you are going to sell only one item, you will do better to purchase a domain like “your-item.com”. If you sell red widgets, purchase “red-widgets.com”. People are not going to know the name of your business to search for, but they will know the product they are looking for and search for that. If you have it in your domain name, you are already ahead of the game.
2. Page names matter. As you create web pages for your site, you need to remember that every page of your site can be indexed by Google. So you want your page name to be “red-widgets.com/widgets-for-houses.html” rather than “red-widgets.com/page1.html” or something random. Use the page names to insert keywords to help shoppers get to what you are selling when they “Google” it!
3. Content matters. Your web pages should not just include a picture of the item and a “buy now” button. Each page should include your sales pitch, or everything you can share about that item: complete description, picture, personal experience, testimonies from customers, etc. You should use the name of the item as much as possible, without it sounding obvious that you are trying to do this! The more often you use the product name, the more likely it is to be found when someone searches for that product name.
4. Incoming links matter. The best way I have found to get links to my product pages is by blogging. I have numerous blogs, and every time I mention a product I link it to my web page where I sell that product. You can also exchange links with similar vendors who sell products that compliment but don’t compete with yours.
5. Your website matters. Last week I mentioned choosing a website with a separate shopping cart rather than a shopping cart that IS your website. If you don’t do this, and you decide to switch shopping carts, in almost all cases, you will lose the specific page name that you had for each product. Once your page name is indexed in Google, you don’t want to change that page name. If you do choose a shopping cart as your website, make sure that you have control over what these pages are named!

These are only a few things to remember. If you are a current business owner and simply want some web pages online to advertise your sales or specials, you might also consider this information so that people can find you in Google!

For help with more steps you can take to make sure your website is listed on page 1 in Google searches, please visit GNC Web Creations. You will learn SEO (search engine optimization) extensively from Cricket, who teaches an online class that you can take in your own time. I honestly don't know if I would still be in business if I was not able to learn what I have from Cricket. Her advice is INVALUABLE. Many people would agree, I'm sure!

Websites, Shopping Carts, and Merchant Accounts

If you have been following our Internet Business 101 articles, you may already have a potential internet business in mind. That’s great, but don’t worry if you are still trying to figure that out! This week we are talking about the subject that is probably the most frightening of all topics to people who have no experience with internet businesses. But sit back, and I promise that you will feel more comfortable as you learn more and more.

If you are considering starting your own internet business, I would assume you have already spent some time shopping online or at least surfing the web. You probably also have an opinion on what an online store or shopping cart should have, or how it should function. This will help you as you choose the shopping cart for your store, but for now, let’s learn the basics.

First, you have a website. Your website address will look something like this: http://www.mydomain.com/ . When people go to your website, they will find information about your products or services. They will also be able to purchase your products or services, and the goal here is to make the process seamless and pain-free.

You will have two options for your website: it will either BE the store, or it will be a website with a separate shopping cart. In other words, some shopping carts actually function as your cart and website all in one. I do not recommend this option. I have done both, and the problem with having your shopping cart as your website or store, is that if you want to change shopping carts down the road (and you will) your website will go with it. (Meaning you will have to start completely over!)

I always recommend having a website, where all your content is found, and a separate shopping cart where the purchase is actually made. Then, if you change shopping carts, your informational web pages are still there and the only thing that changes is the cart. If you would like to see an example of this, please visit my website at http://www.eves-best.com/ .

Because most people have no clue how to design their own website, it’s important to know the options available to you. You can learn as you go, using software available for this purpose such as FrontPage or Dreamweaver. You can also hire someone to do this part for you. Another option is to use a service online that pretty much does everything for you. Our favorite is DIY Shoppes. You can learn more about DIY Shoppes at The Design Shoppe, another helpful resource. I have personally never used it, but know many who have. I also know the developer of the company very well. You can purchase your domain name and hosting from them as well, making the process quite seamless for you.

It seems like there are a million shopping cart possibilities online. A great place to start looking at your options is by visiting our blog (see below) and finding the link provided, which will direct you to all the shopping carts that work with PayPal (and usually other merchant accounts as well). If you use PayPal shopping cart, you can literally have your business up and running in a day (provided you already have your own website set up!) If you decide to set up your website using DIY Shoppes, you will be required to use “Mal’s” shopping cart, which is the cart I use.

No matter how you set up your internet store, you will need to have a way of accepting payments online. The two most popular options are PayPal and a merchant account. You can do one or the other, or both. For just starting out, I always recommend using PayPal. As a matter of fact, I tried using both PayPal and a merchant account for a six month period and it was nothing more than a headache. After six years in business, I still only use PayPal for accepting payments online! I also allow people to send in checks or money orders, because there are still people out there afraid of entering their credit card information online.

Next week we will discuss how to set up your website so that people will find you online. This topic is by far the MOST important you will learn, so please don’t miss it!

For shopping cart options, visit: https://cms.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?cmd=_render-content&content_ID=developer/solutions_carts_wp_standard

Where to Start with an Internet Business

So you think you want to make a go at an internet business, but where in the world do you start? Before you start thinking of business names, legal entities, and hiring an attorney (which isn’t necessary, by the way), you need to think long and hard about the market you want to enter. In other words, what do you want to sell?

This question can be answered by looking at five attributes of you: F.A.I.T.H
The first is F: funds. How much money do you have to contribute toward your business? This will greatly determine the market you will enter, as well as the type of business you will run. If you don’t have money or access to it, you likely won’t be able to purchase a lot of stock in order to wholesale, or even “stock & ship” for that matter. It will probably affect the product that you will be able to sell, so keep that in mind as you look at your other attributes.

The next is A: ability. What are your abilities, and how can you use them in your business? Obviously if you are not strong, you cannot sell product that requires lifting or moving of heavy boxes unless you plan on hiring someone who can. Are you good with numbers? Are you good at deciphering legal jargon? Can you write clearly? These are all things to consider as you plan ahead, because the fewer things you do well, the more you will have to hire out, cutting into your profit. Many successful entrepreneurs can’t write a clear sentence to save their lives, so don’t let this discourage you. If you have a great idea, you can make it happen!

Next is I: interest. What are you interested in? It is much easier to sell something that we have experience with, and an interest in the product or the people it serves will motivate you past those days when you just don’t feel like working. Some people totally ignore their interests and sell something just because the profit margin is high. Whatever floats your boat- but I would start with something I’m interested in first!

Then comes T: talent. This is similar to ability, but a little more than that. Can you sew? Can you build? Are you an excellent writer, artist, or singer? If you know you have a talent for one of these, can you turn it into a product to sell? The difference between ability and talent is this: I have the ability to sew. But it is not a talent of mine. I have to work really hard at something to make it come out decent. The more work you have to put into something, the less you will make in the end. If you are going to bank on your talent for your internet business, make sure it IS a talent and something you love enough to follow through with!

Finally we have H: help. How much help do you have, and what are their attributes? For instance, maybe you have a friend who can build awesome wooden toys or sew children’s clothes. Maybe you have a friend that can write articles for you, sing the children’s song you need for your play, or even store your stock. If you don’t think you have all the necessary qualities or talents to start an internet business, can you find someone to help you? If so, this might determine the business you start.

With these attributes considered, you also need to think about the type of business you want to have. If you only want to have product dropshipped, will the market you want to enter work with that? You will need to do lots of research online about the markets you are interested in. We will discuss that more in depth after we get all the basics out of the way. Right now, repeat after me, “Google is my friend.” Use it and learn everything you can about the products or markets you are drawn to.When I started my business in 2003, my interest was babies; primarily it was cloth diapers! I had two in them, and decided to sell them locally, and then online. My business expanded over the years and I have even changed business names to accommodate my changing product line. As you think about what you want to sell now, consider the possibility of expanding down the road, and how or when that will take place. It will determine a lot as you move forward! Next week, we will discuss websites, shopping carts, and merchant accounts, oh my!

Different Types of Internet Businesses

If the thought of an internet business conjures up nightmares of stock piled up in your garage or frequent trips to the post office, you might be surprised to learn that neither of these has to happen! With the internet, many possibilities exist for making money with a home business, and the truth is that product never has to touch your hands if you don’t want it to. Today we will discuss the different kinds of internet businesses and what each entails.

The first kind of internet business is what I call the “stock and ship.” In this business model, you would purchase product from a wholesale supplier (or suppliers), stock it in your house, and ship to your customers when orders come in. Some people prefer this over other methods, because they have control over when product goes out and they know when something is out of stock. You also usually get more profit with this model, though if the product doesn’t sell, you are stuck with it.

The “dropship” business is another option. You sell the product in your internet store and collect the customers’ money. But the product is not stocked by you; it is sent to your customer by your supplier(s), who stocks the items for a number of retailers. With this option, you don’t have the risk of getting stuck with product that does not sell, but you usually make less profit on each sale. This is a good option for larger items, so that you don’t pay for shipping the product to you, and then shipping the item to your customer.

Another option is to be a wholesaler. You can do this two ways. You can find a manufacturer who makes the product you want to sell, or you can manufacture your own product. Your customers would then be the retailers who want to sell your product to the general public. This is a good option if you have a product in mind and prefer to sell to other small businesses rather than deal with the public. Some wholesalers do both, but most retailers who sell your product won’t like that. Your product can be sold on other online sites, as well as in brick & mortar stores (these are the stores that we walk into to shop!)

Yet another option is by far my favorite. This is a no-brainer. It is called “affiliate marketing.” Affiliates do not take money from the customers. Basically, you advertise for other businesses or products and when someone you refer actually buys something, you get a percentage of what they spend. This requires lots of content writing and online marketing, but if you find a good product with a decent mark up, you can make some good money this way, without ever stocking inventory or taking money.

Many who already have a home business are participating in “party plan” companies. You know these- Tupperware, Discovery Toys, Pampered Chef, etc. These companies have joined the internet movement as well, making it even easier for reps to make sales locally as well as across the nation. While this is a great way to start a home business, I won’t be focusing much on these. The biggest downfall with this type of business is that you have absolutely no control over changes that the companies make, whether they are minor, or if they decide to shut down completely.

So the question is, which type of business should you focus on? It depends! There is no easy answer here. As a matter of fact, my business entails all of these, and so can yours. Once you decide what you want to sell, it will help you determine how you go about doing it. Next week, we will discuss how to decide what you want to sell.

Why Start an Internet Business in this Economic Slump?

Four years ago, we moved to Anthony from a suburb not far from Atlanta, GA. The traffic and congestion just got to be too much, and through a series of events we ended up picking Anthony as our new home. Little did I know how our country’s economic status would decline in the past three years, but I sure am glad about decisions I made back in 2003 that turned out to be a huge blessing to me today. Let me explain.

When I had a baby and a toddler seven years ago, I got the crazy notion that I should start a home based business. Even as I went through the process, I had no idea why I was doing it, but I pressed onward and learned everything I could about making an online business work. When it came time to re-locate, I was not tied down by a job, and I realized I could live anywhere I wanted since my business could move with me. And now that our economy is, well, in a slump, I don’t have to worry about losing my job- because I don’t have one!

While it’s true that sales go down when the economy declines, it’s also true that there IS still money out there, and people are still spending it. Where and how they spend it might have changed, but it is happening! Now more than ever, people see the value in having some extra income on the side. They see the benefits of building a business of their own where they control their own income and job security. If you think you are too late to “get a piece of the action” you would be very wrong. This is great news!

Many people are familiar with eBay, and many have already gotten disenchanted with their fee structure and the competitive pricing of other sellers. Many wonder how anyone still makes money on eBay, and they then assume that all online markets are already saturated. Not so! I will discuss this in a future article, but the point you need to get right now is that if you have the desire, the passion, a learning spirit, and the time to put in, you can have a successful internet business within a few months if you follow some basic guidelines.

While eBay has an established customer base, it is easy to start an internet business with your own website. Before you know it, you will have orders coming in- while you sleep- or while you are at your full time job. Overhead costs are minimal, and you don’t have to “man the store” in order to make the sale. As long as you have an informative website, a product people need or want, and a website that comes up when people search for your product, your sales will happen around the clock, whether you are sitting there waiting for them, sleeping, or on vacation.

To me, the number one reason for starting an internet business is that when you sell to people across the country, you are bringing money into our city and state that would not otherwise be here. You are also possibly creating jobs that are not dependent on money that is already being circulated in our community. So now is the time to consider how you can bring in some extra income by setting up an internet business, not only for you and your family, but for your community as well. Next week, we will discuss different types of internet businesses.

Welcome!

This blog has been established as an extension of articles written for our local paper, The Harper Herald. This is where readers can comment or ask questions about the Internet Business 101 articles so that they completely understand what is written before moving on to the next week's article. We hope that this dialogue helps our community members feel empowered and knowledgeable about starting their own internet businesses. If you don't live in Harper County, KS, come along with us and enjoy the ride as well!