Whether you have an online business or a brick and mortar downtown business, many of the same rules apply to making it succeed.

When you open a store front, you stock it with inventory, set your prices, then hire and train employees. Next you have to let potential customers know where your business is located and what services or products you are offering. This is most effectively done through advertising.

Advertising comes in many forms, starting with a simple business listing in the phone book to elaborate, professional advertising campaigns. Without advertising, no one will know your business even exists let alone purchase your items.

The same rules apply to an internet business. It doesn't matter whether you're offering information, professional services or tangible items; you have to let the world know your web site is open for business.

Advertising doesn't have to be complicated. If you already run ads for your store front, it can be as simple as putting your web site URL (www.yourwebsite.com) in all your ads. Make it prominent. Don't hide it in 8 point type at the bottom as an after-thought.

You probably made a "Grand Opening" announcement for your store front business; you should do the same for your online business.

If your web business is a brand new adventure, then budget and plan for new ads to promote your online presence. The whole point here is "If You Tell Them... They Will Come! If You Don't... They Won't!" It doesn't get much simpler than that.

Don't forget to have new business cards and letterhead made displaying your web site and new email address. Putting announcements in all your monthly invoices is almost free advertising since you're already mailing them anyway. Oh, by the way, your email address should not be a 'hotmail' type account. Have your web developer or hosting provider create a professional email account associated with your domain name like 'yourname@yourwebsite.com'.

Through advertising, you are building a network of potential visitors. They may visit your web site themselves or tell a friend about your business. They may come today or they may not come until next month or next year, but if you keep your URL visible through repetition, they will eventually drop in to see what all the fuss is about.

Just as a store front needs foot traffic to generate sales, a web site needs visitor traffic to generate revenue. It's all in the math, the more traffic, the greater the odds for making sales.

Coming soon, "Is your web site visitor-friendly?"

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