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Online Business Resolutions for Success

Unlike our buddy to the right, you can have the best ideas and dreams of grandeur, but if you don't have the proper structure, organization and commitment - nothing will happen. No success. No realization of dreams. No ideas that actually come to fruition.

Technology and the online environment offer neato new tools and resources that offer you the ability to make things happen. Many times without the expense and overhead that opening a traditional physical location would entail. What's the catch? You have to master these tools and use the resources available to you 24/7 and...... This is a toughie - you need to look at your own set of skills, experience and ability realistically to identify where your weaknesses lie and address them.

For example: If you are not able to organize - then find the tools to help you do so and commit yourself to improving in this area. That software you just downloaded cannot completely organize you as it is only a tool. And, you need to learn how to use the software to its full potential for it to produce favorable results. With any bad habit, beating those patterns and creating new valuable patterns, require your personal fortitude to accomplish - it simply isn't easy. It won't happen by osmosis.

The whole Web "thang" has been pitched that those without communication skills, business experience or savvy, or even those who do not know or want to learn how to use their computers can have an online business. But a successful online business? Now, that's an entirely different story!

Here I will cover your 10 Online Business Resolutions any business can use to gain online success. Many of these issues apply to successful businesses in general - on or off-line. If you do master these issues and make the commitment to yourself to not give up, no matter how frustrating, confusing and time consuming these may be, you will experience Online Success!

1. I will do what is necessary to run an efficient, organized business:
   Time is money. Lack of efficiency and organization will eat up profits. Each and every one of us has strengths and weaknesses. Be honest about what yours are. Once identified, whether that be accounting issues, marketing issues, or even the basics of running a business - make sure you find the information, tools and resources to compensate for the areas where you may be anemic. Not being realistic about where you fall short means you will not do what is necessary to improve in those areas. Generally, folks who do not do this are also those who do not set realistic goals based on those very same strengths and weaknesses. No business or technology experience? You have your work cut out for you! This is business and this is technology. Wherever there may be a gap - fill it! Whether it means taking a class, buying software, utilizing resources, or reading books - whatever - do it!
2. I will make sure that my business offers products/services that are desired/needed:
   If I had one dollar for every "idea" I have been approached with in regard to making money online I could retire. Many times from folks who have done absolutely no investigation or due diligence to determine even if their idea is a solid one to build on. Don't even start your online business until you have made sure that your product or service is one that fills a need or desire. Make sure you check the competition online - because you will have to deal with this issue at some point - do it now! You need to know the saturation level of your potential online market to strategize properly. Then, ensure that your product or service is offered at a price that is relative to either overall market conditions and/or the quality of the product/service offered.
3. I will make sure that my business is run with the highest levels of integrity and ethics:
   To succeed you need to be able to look yourself in the mirror at the end of each day and know that you have done the best, honest job you could have that day. Although some may have a different opinion, there is no amount of money worth jeopardizing your reputation for. There will be difficult situations and even some very tempting supposed "tactics" that border on unethical or unacceptable activities. Unfortunately, there is big business online right now taking advantage of what you don't know to get into your pocket book by giving you the impression that certain strategies or products are "O.K.". If you are not sure what to do, partner with someone who has a proven track record in the area in question and rely on him or her to set you straight. Listen to your gut - and remember, if it sounds too good to be true - it is!
4. I will make a point to review my Web site's statistical data on a monthly basis:
   Numbers and charts drive most everyone crazy. That said, this is the only medium where you literally have click-by-click information on the activities (or lack thereof) for your business. Yellow page ads do not let you know how many folks looked up your category and looked at your ad. Newspapers only give you generalized circulation numbers - no indication what-so-ever if your ad was even looked at. Use one of the benefits of doing business online, real-time activity data, to your advantage and become intimate with this information. I recommend clients look at their stats at least once each month so they become comfortable and more able to notice trends and changes. Information is power after all and this is information technology!
5. I will spend at least one hour each week marketing/networking my Web site:
   I suggest my clients spend an hour each day looking for opportunities and venues to gain and build awareness for their Web presence. Search Engines are only part of the puzzle and now have substantial cost involved in attaining and maintaining relevant listings. From mailing list participation, to fostering link partnerships or looking for industry sites and groups that you can participate in, there are more opportunities for exposure than most folks would know what to do with. Many only costing you the time to seek them out and investigate their potential.
6. I will learn the basics of E-mail Etiquette & Netiquette:
   Your e-mail responses, inquiries and communications will be your face to the world. How you use technology for commercial gain, will determine how you are perceived and whether you are someone folks want to do business with. You simply will not succeed unless you embrace these concepts! Ignore these issues at your own peril! Make the time to visit and bookmark this site, NetManners.com.
7. I will make sure I am fiscally realistic and responsible:
   Successful online enterprises are not cheap or free. Basing your decisions and goals on cost alone can doom your business before it even gets a chance to get started. Don't quit your day job! Work on your enterprise after work, late into the night, get up a couple hours early - fit it in - until there is clear indication of full-time income potential. Even then make sure you have savings for at least 6 months to fall back on to maintain a tolerable standard of living. Base this amount on how much you are willing to do without; some are better at sacrificing than others. Regardless of what you may "hear" or have read in some sales pitch, it will take time to produce an online revenue equal to your current income - it won't happen overnight, tomorrow, next week or even next month. You may not like how that sounds but that is the reality and truth! How much time it will take for you to produce a livable income is dependent on the decisions you make in regard to the issues in this article, the market you are involved in and your own work ethic.
8. I will do my due diligence when choosing business partners:
   You will need to rely on folks with expertise you simply do not have or will realistically be able to acquire. The worst thing you can do is partner with someone who does not have track record of experience and integrity. For example, in my industry, not all "Web Designers" are created equal. Many have little to no business experience or even technology experience - just Web page software and some HTML basics. You will not be able to count on them to provide quality work. Nor will they have the ability to assist you in achieving your business' full online potential because they simply do not have the necessary experience to even do so for themselves! Partner with full-time proven professionals who can help your business grow and go in the right direction - whatever that may be. This includes, to start with:
   • An Attorney - experienced in online issues and legalities is preferable. Experience in your specific field/market is even better.
   • An Accountant - look for a company or individual willing to look at your overall situation and business plan in detail. This requires the willingness to look at your personal and business finances, history and unique set of goals before making recommendations on the structure for your enterprise or tax issues as they relate to your business.
   • A Technology Consultant - you need to judge these folk's expertise and ability to implement technology based on their ability to do so for themselves. Use their Web site as your main "clue". If in business only part-time or for less than one year - they simply can't have a clue. Also know that your technology partner's levels of business and marketing experience will be crucial to your success. Use my Criteria Checklist as a guide before you choose your technology partner.

9. I will offer the very best customer service:
   Excellent customer service levels require planning, organization and plain old hard work. You need to live up to the promises you make - regardless of what that takes. Online, folks are very bold behind these screens and you will have your occasional knucklehead with little experience or business savvy making accusations or demands of you that are not based in any reality. Take the high road and realize you cannot be everything to everyone but you can be true to yourself. Know your market well enough to know exactly who you want to be everything to and know there are some folks you will never satisfy. Certain situations will require you cut into your profits to keep a customer happy. Other situations will require you cut a customer lose. Know the difference! Be prompt, courteous and offer a quality product/service and you'll have customers for life.
10. I will make an effort to constantly learn new things:
    I'm wacky. I love to learn! I find it fun and exciting every time I learn something new, increase my base knowledge or stick with something until I figure it out. Unfortunately, I have found this is one area that most folks do not want to put much effort into. To succeed online, learning is not a choice - it is a requirement. Yes, it can be frustrating and overwhelming but you have to get through it. If you don't learn enough about Technology to understand the playing field that you are participating in you will fail. Any other "career" choice will require you learn new skills or improve on those you already have - online is not any different in this regard and is probably more demanding. The more you know the farther you'll go!

No doubt you will find those who will say the above is not necessary to succeed. And, those companies do win over those looking for the short-cuts and sugar-coated solutions. They acquire the customers who care not about reality but hearing what they are willing to deal with - which more times than not is pure hype and does not lead to any level of success. To go that route cripples you from the start. Money and time spent on ineffective methodologies, low end products or services has put many a "business" out of business.

That's not what you want right? You want to succeed! You want to do things the hard way, if that is the right way, to ensure your future success. Only in the great ole U.S. of A. do you have the opportunity to you make these decisions and determine your level of success based on them. Make sure you make the right decisions from the start and there is nowhere to go but up!

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