What will it be, time or money? If you are serious about building a successful web presence you will either have to invest your time or your money. People contact our web design and online marketing business and they tell us that all this technology stuff doesn't make any sense to them. We ask them simple questions like "When was the last time your website was updated?", or "Can you tell me how many visitors your website had in the previous month?". Almost always we get vague answers or a simple "I have no idea." Don't believe anyone when they tell you that all you need is a website to start making money online. It is simply not true. A website in itself is a waste of money if it is not constantly improved and optimized.
Many businesses set up a website and forget about it. The idea for many is that now that we have our website, we can move finally onto more important things. The most difficult part of having a successful web presence begins after the website is online. Having a website is the beginning not the end.
It is important for entrepreneurs to dedicate some time to learn at least some of the most basic aspects of having a successful web presence. As business owners we are expected to understand our books and financial statements even though we are not CPAs. The same is true for our websites. We have to have at least a basic understanding of search marketing, e-commerce, e-mail marketing, analytics, etc.
To compare, online business success to building a house, having a website is like having a foundation. A foundation, not a complete house with doors, windows, walls, rooms, roof, etc. Your website doesn't guarantee you any business.
With over 100 million domain names registered today, you need to do a lot better than just having a website.
You may ask, why is it not enough to have a website to succeed online? The answer is simple. There are over 100 million domain names registered today. Your website in just one of millions of websites. Your site in itself is a start, but without visitors, it is an exercise in futility.
To succeed online you need visitors. Visitors, for the most part, come from search engines. Your website is only as valuable as the search engines think it is. Once your website is online your mission is to make your website stand out. I am sorry, but it is true. You have to work very hard, or you have to hire a professional Internet marketing firm, to help your website stand out. All those people telling you that succeeding online is quick and simple, well, they were not being honest with you.
Don’t think of your website as the end, think of it as the beginning of your online business success story. There is a lot of money to be made online, and you most definitely have a chance of making it online. Be prepared to learn a lot in the process, and work even more on your way to online riches.