Getting Started Guide

Websites have evolved to become a business asset that should actively bring in a revenue stream from the Internet - attracting new customers and encouraging loyalty in existing ones.

INTERNET BUSINESS BASICS

To take your business online you need:

A plan
A domain name and website hosting
A website
Search marketing to attract visitors to your website
Email marketing to build relationships with your customers.

The most important thing to know is that your website should not act like a brochure or a business card for your business, it shouldn't function as marketing collateral and it should not be passive.

It should be the hardest working employee that you never have to pay. It's time to look at your website as an active part of your entire business plan, not a marketing activity.

A PLAN

Building your business online successfully begins with a plan that aligns with your general business, marketing and sales plans with the Internet.

It doesn't have to be formal or long, it just needs to define your focus and what you want to achieve.

This will decide what type of website you need, what type of technology you need and what mix of online marketing services (SEO, Google Adwords, Email Marketing, Social Media Marketing) to implement.

A DOMAIN NAME AND WEB HOSTING

Your domain name is your unique website address. For example, if you want to visit Google you go to www.google.com.au. The google.com.au part is their domain name.

You will need to register a domain name with an accredited domain registrar. You can search through Google to find one.

I recommend also purchasing hosting through the same company that you register your domain with. Net Registry is an example of a company that offers both services. Your domain name requires hosting in order to be viewable on the Internet and to set up your email addresses.

A WEBSITE

Your website is your businesses head office on the Internet. It is open 24/7 and must fulfill your visitors needs and your needs to be successful.

It needs:

To have a clear purpose
Look professional
Be easy to find in the search engines
Give your visitors what they are looking for
Be supported by staff well trained in answering email enquiries and customer service
Show you how your visitors interact with your website

If you have already employed a web designer, make sure they build you a search engine friendly site that will direct your customers to fulfill your requirements with clear call to actions.

SEARCH MARKETING TO ATTRACT VISITORS FROM GOOGLE

There are two search marketing techniques that you can use - Paid Advertising such as Google Adwords or Search Engine Optimisation. The purpose of both is to attract visitors searching for what you are selling.

Search engine optimisation is an investment that involves making your website search engine friendly. The results are typically slower to reach peak performance but will consistently return free targeted visitors from Google over the life of your website.

Advertising on Google Adwords will give you immediate results, however you do pay each time a visitor clicks on your ad to visit your website.

EMAIL MARKETING TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS

Email Marketing is a permission based way of marketing to your website visitors and existing customers.

It is incredibly cost effective and an ideal way to keep in touch with your website visitors to encourage repeat website visits, build trust and encourage them to become a customer.

Email Marketing must be implemented by a professional as there are risks involved if you are not experienced in this area.

WANT TO GET RICH QUICK?

Following this strategy is not for those looking for a “get-rich quick scheme.” You will need to bring your understanding of your customers, your marketplace and your business to your website and put the effort in to get a return.

This strategy is for businesses who want to work smarter, putting their effort and marketing budget towards a logical process that returns a revenue stream from the Internet with consistent and long term results.

STILL NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

Make it simple and let me do all the work. Contact me now with your questions or what you want to achieve.

SOUND EXPENSIVE?

Growing your business online doesn't have to be expensive or complicated.

Following the steps that I’ve refined over nine years of working in the online environment you can be sure that your work is carried out in a methodical and efficient manner.

I work with budgets of all sizes and I will only recommend you use services that your business can benefit from.

MAKE CONTACT

Please contact me with any questions you may have no matter how small and I'll be happy to help.

Name:
Email:
Message: