1. I need a Plan
Important:
Who do you want to reach?
What can you offer?
How are you different from your competitors?
How will you get there?
What resources do you need?
2. It's all about technology.
The internet is a communication tool not a business. To be successful, you must know who your customers are, you must have something they will want and at a price they will pay. You then have to communicate this to them and make it easy for them to buy. It is as simple as that.
Use trusted, tested and working technology initially rather than risking a bespoke or tailored solution that leaves you relying on a designer forever after and may not work.
Use the ideas and experience of others, but retain as much control over the site as you can.
3. Marketing: We have a huge range of marketing strategies we can suggest and use with many mainstream national ad campaigns and certified Internet marketers.
You want people to know about your great idea and draw them to your site.
How they search on the net. What keywords are used? How do they browse? What are the information sites in your sector?
What do your customers look at off line and should you considering advertising, direct mail, PR, editorials etc.
Do you have any existing contacts/customers and what do they think and can you find them special terms?
4. Is a web site all about design?
If you are in business, then a web site is all about reaching a wider audience and making money. Don't lose sight of this and make it easy for your customers to buy.
We believe that a clear fresh look is a key factor with a good link structure. make it know what you are selling instantly.
Only ask them to register once they have made a decision to buy, or in order to gain additional useful information.
Content is key but keep it appealing to the eye.
5. On-line payments.
If you need to be able to take payments online there are a number of good payment providers available from Seo Go from Paypal to a full payment gateway.
Don't forget to think about taking foreign currency payments, especially Euro's and US Dollars.
6. I need a good hosting company.
While it is true that you need a good hosting company, this is one aspect that you don't need to worry about with Seo Go – as this is all included for you in your monthly cost, including registration and renewals of your domain name (subject to continued payment of the subscription).
With Seo Go you do not need to worry about space limits, download limits, the number of pages you can have and e-mail addresses and its all based in the Uk with 24 hour support.
7. Trading on the internet I don't need to worry about the law.
You must be careful to comply with the law in the country in which your business is established.
In the EU, you must provide full contact details, including an address and phone number. Also, you must accept goods for return within 7 working days. Both of these points can be sold as positives to build confidence in your product.
In the UK, you have to take reasonable steps to provide access to people with disabilities; this could include larger text and alternative text tags to replace images. You will also probably have to register with the Data Protection Registry (www.dpr.gov.uk).
You will only be allowed to send direct e-mail (and newsletters) to individuals who have agreed to receive it by directly opting in. However, if you have obtained their details in the course of making a sale, then you may continue to communicate with them provided that there is a free method of opting out each time you send a communication. This is good practice anyway and should be acted upon swiftly.
Use standard disclaimers and conditions of use – Seo Go include some examples of these for you to use on your site.
It is a requirement of all Seo Go users that their sites are legal and decent.
8. For UK - I don't need to worry about tax.
For information on tax requirements take a look at www.hmrc.gov.uk.
You must be VAT registered once your sales pass a prescribed threshold level
If you are not registered, then it is illegal to charge VAT.
When selling to the EU, you should usually charge VAT at the normal rate (17.5% in the UK).
When selling outside the EU, you don't charge VAT.
9. I will get ripped off by fraudulent orders
There are problems with all business and some foreign orders are more likely to be fraudulent than others. Watch out for; use of expensive shipping method and most expensive products, use of unidentifiable e-mail, such as Yahoo and Hotmail and G-mail.
If in doubt stick to orders from the EU and North America and ask for some form of proof.
10. I need to set up a company to trade on the internet.
There are a number of possibilities for company structure:
Sole Trader
Limited Company (Ltd)
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) |
