E-Commerce Blog

Often it seems that, like the proverbial physician, Web developers attend to their own sites last. As with any conscientious service firm, our clients' needs come first.

That said, we felt it was time to upgrade our site to reflect the quality and engineering acumen of Novusweb. The site design you see now (if you're reading this on our site) is that new design.

There's a couple of points about the site worth noting:

1. We completed the entire makeover in less than 20 working hours. Our unique development system allows us to do a complete, from-scratch design in very short order, saving both our clients and ourselves money and time.
2. The site is fully Web 2.0, meaning it possesses the most browser-friendly code, programming and design available.

Of course, the final opinion is yours. Hopefully, you're pleased with the new design. Whether you are or not, feel free to leave us a comment below.

Seems to us that lots of people are seeking new insights to e-commerce. Some are understandably looking for new business opportunities. They sense that creating an online business, especially from their homes, could produce the additional income to buffer the effects of the current recession.

More, it appears, already have an online presence. These established businesses are looking for ways of improving their bottom line. After months and years of floundering, they're scouring the Net for the key that could jolt their sales performance.

Both are admirable objectives. And both are downloading our free "10 Keys to E-commerce Success" guide. We've been both amazed and pleased by the number of people who are downloading this ebook I wrote.

There are many places on the Web to get similar information. Most charge you for their insights. Others present it on Web pages heavily laden with advertising. Maybe it's our loss, but we thought people would like a PDF they could print off and read at their convenience. Apparently, it's a popular choice for many.

As a result, we're beginning to get more people sign up for a free, initial consultation to discuss their e-commerce plans. That's the exciting aspect for us because we love to "talk shop" and help people discover new opportunities to succeed.

Real online e-commerce success doesn't come with cookie-cutter approaches, such as those offered by shopping cart vendors. True success is a process of education, strategy, execution and management.

We try to explain this in our free guide, and when we consult with potential new clients. Based on the response we've received, more and more are realizing the real "key to success" may well be partnering with someone with proven success in e-commerce: Novusweb.

While many product retailers and wholesalers offer ancilliary services (e.g., repairs, training, installation), it is the professionals such as lawyers, accountants and consultants who we wish to address. Many professional firms consider the Web to be little more than an online brochure. Sadly, these firms are missing an opportunity to not only attract new business, but solidify existing relationships by providing 24/7 services such as Frequently-Asked-Questions, a client discussion forum, online bill paying, requests for services, etc. Imagine extending your services around the clock without having to hire additional office staff.

Where the retailer/wholesaler relies on products to populate their Web site, to attract customers, the service provide must rely more on information. As a professional, you are providing potential and existing customers with by-products of your expertise: useful information or functionality.

Every professional firm has different goals and resources at hand. As you analyze your offerings, you need to find those items which can help set you apart from the online competition. Use your expertise to construct Web "tools" that are not only helpful and informative, but serve to demonstrate your competencies.

Begin by writing down (or using the "Notes" tool here) your brainstormed ideas. Visit competitor sites. Best of all, put yourself in your clients' shoes: if you were looking for a professional with your abilities, what would you like to see or use that would ultimately convince you, as a potential client, that your firm is the best choice? As an existing client what could your firm provide to deepen the firm-client relationship?

Not intended as a full list of ideas, the following are possibilities for your consideration:

• Forum. Host an on-line discussion of subjects related to your profession.
• On-line Bill Pay. If you send out invoices to your customers, give them the ability to pay by credit card.
• Downloadable Reports. Offer free reports or guides (much like our "10 Keys to E-commerce Success") as a lead generator.
• "Clients Only" Section. Password protected area where you can allow clients to upload documents to you, and you can share documents with them.
• Blog. Blogs are everywhere. Smart, intelligent blogs, much less so.

To goal is to differentiate your firm from your competitors. Since you're most likely not competing on price, you are competing on service, quality and professionalism. Today's clients are using technology more, and will usually appreciate those professionals who can use technology to make the client relationship more productive. Don't use technology for technology's sake: use it where it will provide benefit to your clients.

One last note: whatever features you offer on your site must be maintained by you or your staff. No one will find value in a blog who's last entry was 13 months ago, or a forum in which questions go unanswered.

For the past 10 years, my wife and I have operated a million dollar business from the comfort of our home. It's been a joy not having to commute to work, and we've seen our three boys grow up right before our eyes into fine young men. We've had the freedom to set our own hours and determine our fate, good or bad.

But, we didn't start out with that intention: of running a home-based business. In the beginning I considered it a stop gap while I took time to seek out the ideal job opportunity. I had just left a dot-com that lured me to San Diego (fortunate for us) but had been acquired by a company intent on moving the firm to Nashville. Nothing against Nashville - I love country music - but we enjoy living in Southern California.

Once we did make the commitment to grow our own business beyond a part-time endeavor, we set out to operate as if we were a multi-national conglomerate. We set aside a room in our house just for our office. We managed our accounting, sales, and production as professionally as we could, and set normal work hours as well. We got a business-class phone system and computer network. In short, we had all the trappings of business without the office lease and overhead.

However, being your own boss can be a real challenge. No one challenges your decisions. You're the one who writes the pay check to yourself, and in lean months there's no guarantee you'll get paid.

But Cyndi and I would not trade our experience - and success - for anything.

Which is why it saddens me when I see so many scam artists try to take advantage of people who want to enjoy some, if not all, of the benefits we've had as home-based business owners.

A quick search on Google for "home based e-commerce" or "home-based business opportunity" yields pages of results pointing to what are obviously masked "get-rich-quick-schemes." To the uninitiated, inexperienced or desperate seeker, these sites can sound quite enticing.

I'm probably not revealing any deep, dark secrets here when I point out a couple of truisms I've learned from decades of business experience:

• Hard work combined with a passion for success is the best combination.
• Finding someone to mentor you is a very smart pursuit. Find someone who has done what you're trying to do, not someone who is out to charge your "only $29" for some secret guide to riches.
• Never pay anything to anyone for a business opportunity or start-up program until you have the opportunity to speak with someone personally. I have found that speaking to people gives me great insight into their honesty and dedication. No, e-mail does not count as "speaking to someone."
• Know your strengths and your weaknesses before you start so you can appropriately leverage your skills and seek help where you need it.

In short, if you want to create a profitable home-based business, treat it as a business, not a hobby. Hobbies are for those who have passion without income. A successful business is for those who want to passionately make money.

The first thing people often ask me when they find out the business I'm in is "can I really make money online?" The answer is "of course you can, if you know how."

I know that sound a bit disingenious at first blush, but the truth is that it's almost impossible not to make some money online with e-commerce if you understand all the ins and outs. Many are looking for a "get rich quick scheme." There really is no such thing. Success online is very much like success offline: you have to plan your work and work your plan.

But creating a plan for success is not just signing up with a shopping cart provider. Just go to any online service that hosts shopping cart solutions and read postings in their forums. What you'll usually find is post after post of customers lamenting that they're not getting any sales. It's usually not the fault of the shopping cart system they're using; it's that the shopping cart provider is not providing all the training and details necessary to truly know how to profit with an online storefront.

The first thing people often ask me when they find out the business I'm in is "can I really make money online?" The answer is "of course you can, if you know how."

I know that sound a bit disingenious at first blush, but the truth is that it's almost impossible not to make some money online with e-commerce if you understand all the ins and outs. Many are looking for a "get rich quick scheme." There really is no such thing. Success online is very much like success offline: you have to plan your work and work your plan.

But creating a plan for success is not just signing up with a shopping cart provider. Just go to any online service that hosts shopping cart solutions and read postings in their forums. What you'll usually find is post after post of customers lamenting that they're not getting any sales. It's usually not the fault of the shopping cart system they're using; it's that the shopping cart provider is not providing all the training and details necessary to truly know how to profit with an online storefront.

When people do ask me the "secrets" of succeeding online, I could go on for hours explaining all we've learned from our own success in building successful e-commerce storefronts.

So, I created a free guide called the "10 Keys to E-commerce Success." Anyone can download it at no cost or obligation because it's better that people know upfront what all is involved in building a profitable online store. It's not hard to succeed, but it does take an investment of time and energy.

Fortunately, building an online store doesn't have to be expensive or risky. That's the big advantage e-commerce has over traditional retail. However, success does require learning and applying some key principles.

If you're thinking of growing an online business, I invite you to download this e-commerce success guide. And let me know what you think.