In the early days of my online ventures, I was under the impression that setting up a website was a surefire way to make money. I was lured by the promises of free websites, free emails, and free money. However, I quickly learned that this was not the case. Despite my initial failures, I have learned valuable lessons that have shaped my approach to online business.
In the beginning, I naively believed that simply creating a website and submitting it to a URL submitter a few times a day would attract a flood of visitors. This was far from the truth, and I felt foolish for thinking so. However, these early mistakes were not in vain. They cost me around $400, but I managed to earn back some of this through several checks, putting my total loss at around $240. Despite this, I believe the lessons I learned were worth the cost.
From my experiences, I have identified five key elements that are crucial for success in the online world:
As someone who was involved in the restaurant and lawn & tree care businesses, finding a unique product was a challenge. I needed to find something that people would need and purchase in quantity. My first attempts at selling cookies and overpriced vitamins were unsuccessful. I realized that I needed to offer the same quality and value that people received from my offline businesses.
I then set out to find a professional web designer. I made a list and started checking out their reference sites. It was important to me that my website was something I would be proud to show my mother. After a thorough search, I found a designer who did a terrific job.
It took me over a year to find the right combination of companies that started earning me money. I found companies that offer great products and education, and combined them with a company that provides everything needed to do business on the web. My investments have slowly but surely grown, and I now have a professional website to advertise this combination of products and services.
My site has a built-in listserver, which has helped my newsletter subscriber list grow quickly. I also have sales management software built into my site. I am now making a decent amount of money on the Internet, enough to retire from the brick and mortar world.
It's important to understand that achieving success online requires hard work and long hours. If you think you can just get "lucky", you're mistaken. However, with dedication and the right approach, we can all realize our dreams of being financially independent and working from home. Happy marketing!
