Humanity desires acknowledgement and we're not used to delayed gratification. We want what we want – and we want it right now.

There is an unfair proposition in online marketing. This inequality can be found in list building, blogging, site promotion and virtually every other area of establishing a web presence.

For the site owner there is no such thing as instant gratification. You will not likely receive the feedback you're hoping for and it can seem as if you are improving your web presence for only one person and frankly you're getting tired of impressing yourself.

Sometimes it can seem like establishing your ecommerce is a bit like being asked to fill the Grand Canyon with a teaspoon. You keep at it, but it's hard to see the results.

The good news is while you keep working to establish your web presence you are finding better ways to say things, better content to present while the rough edges are smoothed out. Hopefully all this happens during a weak moment when you consider a long-term career in the corrugated cardboard industry.

Ecommerce is a thankless job that is best suited for individuals that understand the virtue of patience and are willing to work to envision a future when the present doesn't look so great.

“The ability to discipline yourself to delay gratification in the short term in order to enjoy greater rewards in the long term is the indispensable pre-requisite for success” – Brian Tracy

We live in a time when immediacy is so important to so many that a significant number of businesses come and go because the owner failed to understand that delayed gratification is the payoff for perseverance and patience.

In 2006 there were 671,800 new businesses and 544,800 business closures according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

It is easy to surmise that many of these businesses didn't have a clear understanding of the long-term trench warfare that comes with the territory of business startup.

This article is actually designed to encourage you to think long-term. Your ability to look further ahead than the next sale is going to be important if you want to succeed.

Ecommerce can provide a significantly improved market for your products, but you must continue to do the hard work of putting your best face forward even when your site statistics may seem as if your performing to an empty concert hall.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill