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By
Suzi Sevcik
SparkLIST.com
You're
already running a successful company, so you decide it's
time to jump on the Internet. Or, you've got a fantastic
idea for a Web site that could make you millions. Where
do you start?
E-Business
is more than just a web site or e-commerce. It's the whole
process of selling products and services on the Web. There's
much to consider before you leap into it.Here are the top
seven questions you should be asking yourself.
1. Are
you and everyone in your organization committed to creating
an e-business?This is the reality check. Can your existing
staff handle the extra responsibilities or are you going
to be bringing in people from the outside to manage it?
Does your staff have the knowledge and skills
to make your company successful on the Web? If not, who
will train them?
2. What
will you be doing with your new web presence?It can be used
to sell your products; create a customer service network;
promote your business; sell services and-or create a community.
Write down all the reasons that you are creating your e-business.
3. Are
your current customers willing to purchase items from you
online?Is an online presence something your customers are
looking for? If not, what's stopping them?
4. Do
you have the funding in place to support this offshoot?An
e-business is going to take time and money away from your
existing business. Can you afford to shift your talent and
money in that direction? Will it pay off for you?
5. How
will you coordinate the move to e-business with your existing
company?The more planning you have, the smoother the transition
will be. If you're a retail company and now you're selling
online, do you have the resources to create a shipping department?
If you're a consultant who is accustomed to meeting your
clients face to face, can you make the transition to over
the web or phone?
6. What
is your plan for promoting your site?This takes place both
online and offline. Online examples would be banner ads,
ads in newsletters, announcement lists and discussion
lists. Offline examples are plastering your URL on your
business stationary, trucks, store windows, TV and newspaper
ads, car and anywhere else you can think of.
7. Who
will be designing/hosting your site?This is one of the most
important questions. It's your company's image and business
on the line, and it pays to do your research. Some typical
questions to potential developers may include: What successful
sites have they done? Can their servers take the peak load
if your site gets high volumes of traffic?
The
more time spent planning and developing an on-line business
will pay off in the end. You may discover that it's not
feasible at this time. Toys-R-Us found out last Christmas
season that it wasn't prepared for the demand and ended
up damaging its reputation. Or, you may find out that the
time is right and your e-business will be a huge success.
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