| If you don't have a web site yet, are thinking of | | | | and handling? |
| slapping one up or have one that simply isn't producing, | | | | => What are the issues to consider and the best |
| this Warning is for you! | | | | rates/providers for a Merchant Account so that I can |
| All too often folks contact me about getting a Web | | | | accept credit cards securely on my site? |
| Site when they really have not done their due diligence | | | | => What are my policies and return procedures in |
| in determining even if their "idea" is one worth investing | | | | regard to online ordering? |
| in. And although they hate spam and don't believe | | | | => What are the tax and legal requirements and |
| most of it, they do tend to fall into believing much of | | | | implications I need to consider when doing business |
| the fast, easy and cheap noise online in existence only | | | | online? |
| to line the pockets of shysters and unscrupulous | | | | Unfortunately, all too many think that by just getting |
| developers. | | | | your own dot com and throwing up a Web Site - |
| Here are some questions you need to ask and | | | | selling... er... well... anything, and then just sitting back and |
| investigate getting the answers to so you can | | | | waiting for the orders or e-mail to roll in, they will soon |
| realistically determine if your idea is one worth pursuing | | | | be on the path to IPO-dom or financial freedom. |
| and investing in. If any "solution" tells you these | | | | What happens when site owners do not do their due |
| questions are not of concern, raise that red flag and | | | | diligence or realize after the fact that this is a business |
| run as fast as you can in the opposite direction! | | | | with the very same responsibilities just as in the off-line |
| Certainly don't give them a dime of your hard earned | | | | world? What if they do not get all the above questions |
| money! | | | | answered and a firm understanding of what will be |
| => What will your online expenses be for your Web | | | | involved before they jump online? They end up not |
| server, ISP connection, E-Commerce application, Web | | | | becoming successful while wasting a lot of their hard |
| Site development and maintenance? | | | | earned money. |
| => Why will people buy this product/service from | | | | Having a Web site for commercial gain is not simply a |
| you over any of the number of Web Sites currently | | | | bunch of pictures and code that make a pretty |
| online? | | | | presentation. It is serious business and needs to be run |
| Have you searched at Google with your top 3-5, 2-3 | | | | as such if you plan to succeed. You need to know the |
| word keyword phrases to get an idea of the level of | | | | basics of running a business from accounting, to |
| competition you may be up against? | | | | operational policies, to tax and legal issues. You need |
| => How do you intend to get your new site found? | | | | to be prepared to plan how your marketing program |
| => What is your marketing plan to compete with the | | | | will adjust to this evolving technology both on and |
| Sites already online that are promoting the same | | | | off-line based on data and trends; how you will adjust |
| product/service? | | | | as well. |
| => Can you offer your product or service at a | | | | Do you want to have your very own successful online |
| competitive price and what is that? | | | | enterprise that you worked hard at, built to be |
| => Will your suppliers support your requests and | | | | successful and are proud of based on sound business |
| potential growth/demand for the product? | | | | practices and proven principles? Or do you prefer to |
| => Is the quality of your product/service in line with | | | | throw money at the hype that negates the need for |
| the price you are asking? | | | | any serious efforts? The choice is yours to make - |
| => How much will it cost to have enough inventories | | | | not the developer or promotion touting Fast!, Cheap!, |
| to support orders while additional product is in transit? | | | | Easy!. Remember to use your common sense - if it |
| => What options will I have for shipping, where will I | | | | sounds too good to be true when it comes to |
| ship and what will I charge respectively for shipping | | | | becoming successful online, it is! |