Do you remember when people were afraid to buy things off the Internet? Consumers seem to be getting over those fears in a big way. Still, online purchasing will never completely replace brick and mortar stores. People will always want to be able to touch and examine certain items before deciding whether or not to purchase them -- like eyes glasses or houses. Yet one only has to look at the radical changes in the book and music business models to see that e-commerce is here to stay and will continue to impact the way we make purchases. For those looking to sell goods or services on the Web, understand that your web site will make or break you. To be successful on the internet, your website needs to be user-friendly and establish a brand that people can trust.



1. Quick to Load - If the page takes too long to load, potential customers will get frustrated and leave. Abandoned shopping carts are often the result of too long load times. Don't overload on graphics, which heightens load time.

2. Easy to Navigate - Keep the design simple. Customers shoulb be able to go directly what they are interested in.

3. Easy to Order - You must have secure online ordering. Make sure you accept credit cards, as this will boost traffic, and make it easy to add and subtract items from the shopping cart.

4. Provide Information - You should offer information about your company , product and services. Make it easy to contact your company, and have pictures of your employees. The internet is not personal, you can't shake your customers hand and introduce yourself, so it is important to show them who is behind the product. This builds trust, your most important marketing tool.

5. Money Back Guarantee - You should believe in your product and make a guarantee you can offer. Make it risk- free for your customers, and you will make it easy for them to say yes to purchasing your products.

6. Give Something Away - When you give something for free, such as articles, reports, newsletters, or trial services, you will not only build your customers trust in you, but you will give them something to remember you by. Remember to give without expecting something immediate in return.

7. Exchange Links - This is a great way to get traffic to your site. You direct traffic to someone else's site, and vice versa. It is a win-win situation. Pick links that are related subject to your website.

8. Test Your Advertising - Don't expect to place an ad and have it work the first time. Try different approaches, as no two ways produce the same results. If an ad is not generating revenue, stop running it. Try something different. Coupon codes are a way to measure you results, and this will help you find out how people found out about your business. Also, every time you get a customer, be sure to ask how they found your website.

9. Newsletters - Offer something that is personal and anticipated, not spam. Do not send spam! Give your customers and potential customers something that is relevant to a topic that interests them.

10. Reason to Return - Give your customers a reason to keep coming back to your site. Offer new articles, and keep updating and adding to it on a regular basis. Don't let your site become static. Constantly adjust and adapt your website.