Posted September 28th, 2009
By guest writer from Online Business Basics
I remember my very first website. I thought it was the most amazing thing ever created; it had Flash, Javascript, an animated graphic I designed all on my own, plus various bits of ‘artwork’ placed at strategic locations throughout the site. Plus it used frames, something I thought would ease navigation for my visitors. What an astonishing display of talent!
Now when I look back on that first website, I’m forced to come to an inescapable conclusion:
It sucked.
You see, like so many beginners, I had succumbed to the lure of ‘technology’. Instead of designing my site according to what my *visitors* wanted, I designed it around what *I* wanted to show off.
Don’t make these common website blunders! Visitors come to your site for a reason – make it easy for them to get what they want. Here are a few tips …
__1. Don’t Use Flash Frivolously.
Flash movies are all the rage these days. Sure, it’s new and cool and can do all sorts of neat things – but just because you CAN use it doesn’t mean you SHOULD.
This is particularly true of content-rich websites. Visitors come to your site looking for information, not for an in-your-face Flash movie. Annoy them and it only takes a simple click of the mouse before they’re gone forever.
Flash requires users to download a plug-in, if they don’t already have it. It can chew up your machine’s resources and make it darn near impossible to get out – even a ‘Skip Intro’ link is hard to click on if your computer is too involved with Flash! And it takes too long to load. Not everyone has a high-speed modem!
Of course there are legitimate reasons to use Flash. For example, graphic artists or web designers who sell their Flash talents will want to showcase it. If you use it make sure you give people the OPTION of viewing it or not. A couple of suggestions are:
* Put two links on your entry page: one to view the site using Flash, the other to view it without Flash.
* Move your Flash movies deeper within your site. If your visitor wants to view them, they can simply click on a link.
__2. Use Graphics Sparingly.
The *right* picture can say a thousand words. But don’t use graphics for the sake of using them; unless they convey something specific and relevant to your site then you might as well leave them off.
How many times have you come across an agonizingly slow site, filled with images dancing, whirling, bouncing, and beckoning to you from the screen? It’s irritating to say the least.
If you have to display a lot of graphics on one page, make them into thumbnails. Visitors can click on the image they want to see in order to view the full-sized version.
Also be sure you compress your images to make them as small as possible, and specify the image WIDTH and HEIGHT in your HTML tag.
__3. Forget the Frames.
A lot of people like the look of frames. However, search engines cannot read them properly and improperly designed frames can leave your visitor ‘trapped’. You can bet they’ll never be back if you try to force them to stay!
BigNoseBird.com has a nice little tutorial on how to get the ‘Frames look’ without actually using them. Read it at http://bignosebird.com/k3.shtml .
In general, don’t use frames unless you know how to properly use the NOFRAMES tag.
__4. Keep it Simple – and Use Common Sense.
The simpler and cleaner your HTML, the more likely it will display exactly as you intended on different browsers.
* Limit the number of fonts and colors you use. Pick a color scheme and stick to it.
* Keep your navigation consistent from page to page.
* If you use Javascript or VBScript, provide another way of viewing your information. Not all browsers support them.
* Use tables to properly layout your site. Don’t force your visitors to use the dreaded horizontal scroll bar to read your information! Tables can also add white space to your site for easier readability.
* Spell-check! A site filed with speling errs is veery heard to reed.
* At a minimum, check your site with the two most popular browsers, Internet Explorer and Netscape.
Creating a web page is easy. Creating a *good* web page, however, takes a little more thought. Offer a content-rich site that’s a pleasure to visit and your visitors will keep coming back!
This article may be reprinted on your website or in your opt-in newsletter, provided that it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification, and the following resource box is left intact:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
The Online Business Basics website offers free marketing tips and articles for beginners to the ‘net. Visit www.onlinebusinessbasics.com for more tips on how to effectively market your business on a limited budget.
Originally published in 2001
Posted September 21st, 2009
I can’t seem to find the author’s name. But, this message is one that I thought would be interesting to you none the less. Enjoy!…
Like many people, I first started online by promoting affiliate programs. I didn’t have a product of my own, and affiliate programs seemed like the ideal way to earn an income. Why bother with the hassles of creating my own product if I didn’t have to?
For many months, life on the ‘net was wonderful. Then one day the bottom dropped out of my income. One of the affiliate programs I was promoting heavily closed up shop — leaving me with nothing to show for my months of hard work. Within the next few months, another program dropped it’s commission rates by 65%, and two more cut their commissions in half.
It took me a few months to recover financially… but in that time, I realized that this dependence on another company was exactly what I *didn’t* need. Like the other affiliates, I had worked hard to bring customers to the company — only to end up in nearly the same position I was in when I first got started.
Don’t get me wrong; I was grateful for the opportunity to learn how to market online, without having to worry about billing, inventory, shipping, customer service, and everything else a company handles on behalf of its affiliates. And although it was hard work, the income was great.
However, it just goes to show that affiliates are at the mercy of the company. Now, with more experience under my belt, my opinion is that creating a product of your own is a far better way to do business. I still use affiliate programs, of course — just not as my primary source of income.
So why create a product of your own? Aside from the dependency issue we just discussed, there are lots of great reasons. First of all, it’s YOURS. You pour your knowledge and your heart into creating a product that you can be proud of. Call it a sense of achievement.
Secondly, you know the product intimately. You know what it does and what it doesn’t do; you can talk confidently about the benefits of owning it; you can listen to your customer’s feedback and use it to improve the product. And chances are, you’ll be much more inclined to market it consistently — especially since you keep all of the profits, rather than just a commission!
Most importantly, though, you build a customer base of your own. You can build a long-term relationship with your customers through newsletters, special offers, new product announcements… and your customers can offer constructive feedback, testimonials, and even referral business.
Affiliate programs are a wonderful way to develop multiple streams of income. However, having your own product gives you the option to concentrate on your own success, and on your terms. Now that’s a goal!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
The Online Business Basics website offers free marketing tips and articles for beginners to the ‘net. Visit www.onlinebusinessbasics.com for more tips on how to effectively market your business on a limited budget.
Originally published in 2004
I hope you enjoyed this posting! If so, let me know or just share it with other!
Happy Wishing!
Posted September 14th, 2009
Most of us speak with our friends and family about our dreams and how we want to contribute to the world; often, in very compelling, eloquent and articulate ways. But, when it comes to sharing our vision with the world, for example by speaking to a group of people or unleashing content on our brand new shiny website, we freeze up and experience what I like to call “virtual stage fright”.
Wikipedia defines Stage Fright (performance anxiety) as… “the anxiety, fear, or persistent phobia which may be aroused in an individual by the requirement to perform in front of an audience, whether actually or potentially. … Such anxiety may precede or accompany participation in any activity involving public self-presentation.
The online stage is not unlike any other stage. You are presenting your talents and expertise to millions of users who may need or have an interest in your product, service or message. That can seem a bit scary, even being perched behind a keyboard with the web cam turned off, right?
I myself, am no stranger to this phenomenon. As my mouse hovered over the link to make my business page live I felt a strange feeling come over me. It was not unlike the feeling I had when I presented at a work-at-home seminar for military spouses and retirees. It was not unlike the feeling I had when I made my website and blog live.
It occurred to me, why I was having that feeling. In my light bulb moment, I realized (as someone who has a huge fear of public speaking) I was suffering from a sort of “Virtual Stage Fright”.
Do you have a finished website, but are afraid to reveal it to the world wide web? Are you having trouble diving into social media or participating in teleclasses?
I find it interesting that even in the world of online business, where everything can be so anonymous and the huge crowds that typically cause so much anxiety in people with a fear of public speaking, can’t be seen, It can still be difficult to let go and let your voice be heard.
The fact is, when it come to matters online, its all about working out the kinks until it works. It’s about trial and error. The longer you wait to put your brand out there, the longer it will take you to get to your destination of success.
Whether its launching your website, speaking up in a teleclass, or being active in networking forums, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
If you’ve been bitten by the virtual stage fright bug, here are somethings you can do to help ease your nerves and get rid of your self-presentation anxiety once and for all…
Hire an expert
You can teach yourself to do anything online. But, if you are new to website design, for example, you may not be as confident and comfortable that your work is up to standard. If you find yourself paralyzed to the point of inaction, hire yourself an expert. Maybe you hire a copywriter to make your site sing, or a social media specialist to help develop a consistent online presence. Whatever the “thing” is that is stopping you from sharing your voice and vision with the world, hiring someone who knows the ropes can help to give you that confidence you need to let your project fly!
Just Do It!
Be like Nike. Don’t think about it. The more time you spend playing out the what ifs in your head, the longer it will take for you to see success.
Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes.
It’s just part of the process. I have made plenty of em’(stay tuned). But, realize that like anything, its a growth process. This is what makes you relatable to your audience. So, let go of the Mr./Mrs. Roboto image.
Reward yourself no matter what your performance
The fact that you are acting on your vision is something to be proud of. So, even if your website or teleclass isn’t the best the first time around, give yourself credit for doing it. You have gotten a lot further than most in taking action. If your child missed a step in a dance recital, what would you tell them? Right! Tell yourself the same thing. You are the bomb, no one even noticed your mistep!
Optimize, Automate and Tweak!
If you have fallen in love with the concept of DIY, make sure you learn the basics of building and online presence. Whether it’s a website, blog, or social media profile, make sure you are aware of standards that get the results you’re shooting for (i.e. growing your list, increasing sales, getting more followers/friends, etc.). Use automation tools where you can to help free your time and establish a routine. And, follow your progress closely, duplicating successes and changing things that don’t work.
If you commit yourself to the process, you’ll become more comfortable with letting your vision through online.
Be YOURSELF!
Being online is about authenticity. People want to buy and connect with people they can relate to. Try to inject your personality into the visitors experience. It will help to create a bond that will go a long way toward your success!
Until next post…Happy Wishing!
Posted September 7th, 2009
I came across this article that sums up nicely, the reality of building a business online. A bit of truth serum, if you will. As you read this keep in mind that nothing is impossible with a lot of hard work and commitment…
We’ve all read claims of fast money; the alluring siren-call of the Internet ‘get-rich-quick’ scheme can be hard to resist.
Most of us have also heard the saying, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is…” We know in our hearts that ‘get-rich-quick’ can’t possibly work, yet we can’t help but be intrigued by it.
Instead of pursuing the fruitless search for a quick and easy way to make money on the ‘net, drill the following into your brain right now: There is NO SUCH THING as ‘get-rich-quick’. You CAN earn a solid income from the Internet, if you’re willing to put in the time, effort, and money.
Here’s a quick summary for those of you who are thinking about starting a business online. Let’s start with the disadvantages first, to get them out of the way…
- Hard work and long hours. Just like any business, building one online requires a great deal of effort. Most people do it while still working a full-time job elsewhere; you may find it hard to keep doing what you have to do when you’re always ‘exhausted’.
- Always changing. What works online today might not work tomorrow. When you do business on the ‘net you have to constantly ‘keep up’ or you may find profits beginning to lag. Educating yourself is a continuing process. If you hate change then the Internet is probably not for you.
- Need to be able to cut through the ‘hype’. You’ll find plenty of misleading promises on the Internet, many of which will tell you that there’s some sort of ‘magic bullet’ to getting sales. There isn’t. Sorting through marketing techniques that work and those that don’t can be very time-consuming.
- Definitely *not* a quick-rich-quick scheme! Regardless of what you may read, the Internet is *not* the path to quick, easy money and not everyone will be successful online. An online business contains an element of risk, just like any other business.
- “Build it and they will come” does NOT apply to the ‘net. Your web page is only one of billions. Learning how to get the *right* people to see your site is a tough job.
- Persistence is vital to your success. Just like with any business, there’s a lot to learn. It’s very easy to give up and try something else online… but playing ‘biz op tag’ isn’t going to help you make money any faster.
That being said, there are lots of advantages for doing business on the Internet! It truly offers one of the best opportunities for the ‘average’ person to test their entrepreneurial spirit. Some of the advantages of being an online business owner are:
- Affordable startup costs. You can get started with just a few hundred bucks.
- Flexible. Because your work is done on your computer and from home, you get to choose when you work.
- Possibility of more free time — eventually. Some online businesses can be automated to a certain extent. Automation will help to reduce your workload and eventually give you more free time.
- Testing and research are relatively cheap. Need to find out what your potential audience thinks of a product idea? Chances are, there’s a message board (or a hundred) where your potential audience gathers. Need to research your competition? Use the search engines. There’s so much you can do online for little or no money.
- Exciting! If you thrive on change, the Internet is one of the best places to get it! You can experiment and test to your heart’s content for minimal cost.
- Ever-growing. Every day more people get ‘connected’ to the ‘net. That means there your potential audience is always growing.
- Multiple streams of income. You have the ability to sell lots of different products online — including other company’s products, in return for a commission — which means that you can potentially earn several ‘pay cheques’! A bunch of ‘smaller’ cheques may not seem like much on their own, but add them all up and they can become a solid stream of income.
- Opportunity is everywhere! The Internet reaches a worldwide audience with a wide variety of interests. There are countless niches on which you can focus your energies!
Some people turn a profit within just a few months; others take years. There are lots of ‘little guys’ — small, home based businesses — who are happily and successfully earning a living from the Internet. Will you be the next?
This article may be reprinted on your website or in your opt-in newsletter, provided that it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification, and the following resource box is left intact:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
The Online Business Basics website offers free marketing tips and articles for beginners to the ‘net. Visit www.onlinebusinessbasics.com for more tips on how to effectively market your business on a limited budget.
Originally published in 2002
