Africa Land Grab
Basics on how to start own online business in South Africa
Basics of starting your business online
Launching an online business may seem simple or just harrowing, depending on your perception of the Internet. Depending on your Internet knowledge, the launch of your online business is easy or you need more help and guidance.
There are basically 10 steps you must follow to initiate, cultivate and launch your Internet business.
1. MOTIVATION and set goals
By reading this article one can assume that you already thought about starting your business online and therefore the motivation exists. But are you willing to invest time and money necessary to achieve your vision?
You have the right mindset and a list of objectives that you intend to achieve, step by step.
You must first gather support from those who are closely associated with you in your business. In most cases, those most affected by this decision is the yours is your spouse and / or children when solo home work.
Starting an online business is not for the weak heart and hard work and dedication must be made before you begin to see results.
The problem we have in South Africa is that Most affiliate programs are designed for the overseas market and are difficult to use in South Africa.
Therefore, I will not waste time on affiliate sites, etc.
If you want to start an online business, you need to start something that will appeal to the market South Africa.
That's why you need to do market research. Because you've decided to start an online business, you must do online market research.
The places where you can do this research is:
E-Bay (Even if it's an American site, you will get valuable information about what people are looking for)
Google Trends (we hate or love Google, but you Google for any online business)
Amazon Movers and Shakers (A great way to introduce popular products)
Keywords (These are the words that researchers use to find a product or service)
Once you've done your market research, you can start your business plan. It does not mean that if you want to start an online business, you do not need a business plan. It generally where most people go wrong! Future online entrepreneurs that online business does not need the same attention to detail as the brick and mortar needs. But the reality is that it might need more attention to and a lot of study and learning, except a new avenue for you.
Your business plan online
The business plan is under the motivation part of this book, because it can keep your motivation when you feel depressed and want to pull your hair when you begin to wonder why you started this business first.
With the plan you need to set goals, but keep in mind not just bigger than the belly!
Setting your goals:
1. Make sure the goal you are working for something you really want, and not just something that sounds good.
2. A goal can not contradict any of your other goals.
3. Development goals in 6 areas of life:
Family and Home
Financial and career
Spiritual and Ethics
Physics and health
Social and Cultural
Mental and Educational
4. Write your goal in the positive rather than negative.
5. Write your goal in complete detail.
6. By all means, make sure that your goal is quite high.
7. It is the most important, write down your goals.
On the Internet, your growth rate can be much faster than a brick company and mortar, because your audience is global and not limited to your immediate area. Make sure you're equipped to service a global market. People who use the Internet are people who want instant gratification and are generally not willing to wait because you are unable to deliver.
2. IDEAS FOR INTERNET COMPANIES
These are ideas that I have seen and felt from. You can add ideas. Internet is not discriminatory. You can sell and promote what you want.
2.1 Ownership – Yes, there are many websites property. But perhaps you can offer something different from what they offer. Take a look here:
http://www.sherlock-homes.co.za
Cars 2.2 – You can create your own car sale "business without ever buying a treatment. You can get people who want to sell cars, place them on your website and you can either fees and advertising costs or a percentage of the selling price.
2.3 Careers – Start a career site. Encourage people to put on your CV and even their website offer streaming video as a preliminary interview. Income can be generated by getting people to advertise jobs on your site.
This website is for sale: http://www.careerexpress.co.za
2.4 niche markets such as wedding photography, sport, recreation and crafts. Here a site that is for sale http://www.bridescorner.co.za
2.5 You can create and manage an online forum on certain interests. Your income will be generated here with banners. (More on that later)
2.6 You can write content for business websites. There are many companies having websites out there who think that websites are a waste of time. And the only reason is that nobody visits the site, because there is never any new content on the site. New content is the most important ingredient for a successful website.
2.7 Auction site – you can provide an auction for people who have white elephants that drag their house.
2.8 Online Shop – this will be the same as the auction site, with the difference that products will be sold at a fixed price. You can generate income by requesting a percentage of the sale price.
2.9 Sale of second hand books. It there is a huge market for secondhand books there! You can talk to people who want to sell their books second hand and sell them here for http://www.books-on-line.co.za
2.10 Classified ads online. The market is open for these types of sites. Kijiji is currently the largest classifieds site in South Africa, but he replied that for certain sectors. You can have your own website by visiting here http://www.klerksdorphost.co.za
2.11 ebooks for sale. An ebook is a book that people can download or read and print a PDF Reader. They are very popular because they are generally concise and filled with lots of interesting facts.
These are just some ideas. I'm sure there are many other ideas out there.
Let your imagination and think of something you might be interested in. Chances are that if you're interested, there are other people interested in the same.
3. TIME MANAGEMENT
I can not stress this point too! When I started with the internet, I spent hours and hours, the achieving absolutely nothing. I spent my time on forums, social sites, etc. and then one day I decided that if I wanted to achieve something, I would start somewhere.
Starting a business online is a big learning curve. And it is not so complicated that everyone would have you believe.
You do not need to know HTML, Java, PHP or MySQL to everyone. You can use people who know these languages. I know you might think that this will be expensive, but it should not be like that! You can visit http://www.filing4africa.com and see what they have to offer.
Filing4africa.com is a South African made with the South Africans in mind. Our packages are affordable and you can be sure of after-sales service.
Hosting packages from as little as R39.00 per month and the establishment of a basic Web site as little as R1500.00
Why am I put this at the time management?
TIME IS MONEY!
You want to start a business online. You do not want to create the tools to start an online business. You can spend your time on the conduct of further research and obtain the content of your loan to your site.
Take advantage of people who already have expertise. Apply your skills to your company.
You must ensure that by the time your site is launched you are familiar with how it works and that your backup plan is in place.
If you plan to do part time, make sure Your online business is entirely automatic. You do not want to lose customers because of their impatience. Ask your web developer to configure self responder on your website. People want the power back, and they want yesterday.
Make sure you check your e-mails every day and respond each of them quickly.
I found that in South Africa, companies that do have websites, do not bother to respond questions online. And it is counterproductive to a website. Your website is the welcome mat for your business!
If you plan to make your online business on a full time basis, you need to define the search time to update your site and keep abreast of new things in your market niche. Do not stay behind, because if you, nobody will make your online business. And all your efforts will be futile.
Having activity Online gives you the freedom to work in your PJ and in your bed. No matter where you are working from, it is important that you respond and research to keep your customers happy!
4. Site Structure
Think back and try to remember a store where you do not like the shop. Reason most likely was "the lack of structure".
And it will happen with your site. Your site must have a logical structure. Your customers should find it is easy to navigate your site.
The basic things to your site requirements are:
4.1 Home page (landing page) – this page is the welcome mat for your site. Important information and ticklers should be placed here.
4.2 Service / Product pages – these are the pages where you tell your customers about your service and / or products. It should be interactive, in other words, your client must have the opportunity to request more information.
4.3 us Page – this is where you put the information on the structure of your company, your mission, vision and achievements.
4.4 Contact us – is probably the most important page of your site. Coordinates must be clear and easy to find. Your client must be able to contact directly from this page.
It is best if you write the information in these pages yourself. You know how your business better than anyone else. Your web developer can download the info for you.
All graphics should be optimized for the web. The Customers do not want to wait a page to load. I found that if I struggle to get a page to load, I do not return to this site.
Basics:
• Do not use too many colors and fonts weird. People do not take seriously the sites where they are decorated.
• Do not use the large photo, graphics that slow down your site.
• You must have your own domain name with email addresses from the same field. People do not want to visit a site like www.yourdomainname.co.za and receive emails you@hotmail.com. It is not professional. You can enter a domain name http://www.filing4africa.com here. Please keep in mind that your domain name should be easy to remember and must not contain as wildcards *()%$#@!
• Test your site in Firefox, IE and Google Chrome you ensure that your site is not distorted on different browsers.
Try not to use "free sites". These sites are full of advertisements and are very irritating to your customer and more importantly, distract their attention and keep them away from your site.
5. CONTENT OF CONSTRUCTION
The content is not just there to educate your customers. No, it should be used in such so that your client will be convinced to use your service or buy your product.
Put testimonials on your homepage. Many browsers like to see what difference your service / product in the lives of other peoples.
When working your content, work with the 5 W
Who: Who will benefit from the product / service. Who are you?
What: That the product / service is all about, bonuses, etc.
When: When the offer expires?
Location: Where do your customers reach you if they need more information.
Why: Why do they need your product, more than any other similar product on offer.
Your content will play an important role in your engine research investment. You should learn to write for search engines. This is where keywords become important for Search Engine Optimization. If you use a web developer, you do not need to worry about it.
Content is not limited only to your website! Email marketing is a very important part of your online activity.
The contents of your customers must be professional with a balanced mix of relationship building, selling soft copy and hard to sell.
Of course, you can not send emails if you do no e-mails to send. That's why you need a subscription "to our newsletter" opt depending on your site. No site should not such a tool!
6. SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
The more know what the term SEO. SEO is very important for your online business. In addition to the tools mentioned earlier, there are several other tools you can use.
SEO Steps
6.1 Getting the right keywords (You can help your Web Developer by brainstorming keywords for your online business here: http://adwords.googlecom/select/main?cmd=KeywordSandbox
Link 6.2. Search for online businesses that would complement your product / service and add their links to your website.
6.3 From the new content on a weekly basis
So how do you do all this if you are not a web developer? You must make sure your web developer gives you a step- by step on how to add new content to your site.
It is therefore preferable to use a content management system on your site's HTML site. HTML pages must be reloaded and the changes each time you want to add something to your site.
With a system content management, you will be able to publish new news of the background and will be published in your interface that is your actual website.
With a content management system, you can keep control over the content of your site. This is very important that you are ultimately the one that worked for your online business.
7. ADVERTISING ISSUES
Without advertising your business online has not a chance! And because it is an online business, this does not mean you have to do online marketing.
began successfully marketing offline!
The other day I met a wedding stylist at a networking event. I asked him if he had a site website for his business. He said he did, but has never been an undertaking from him.
By asking a few questions more I realized he has not marketed its website in any way. And he could not understand why it should be!
Many people believe the Internet is a magic wand that creates customers for you! Do not be fooled! You can not launch a website, then sit and wait for customers to "accidentally" find your business online!
You must put the keyword that your site exists!
And here's how:
Advertise in the media 7.1 premises and make sure your domain name site is prominently displayed.
7.2 Put your domain name on ALL printed materials.
7.3 Use of your address dedicated e-mail (ie admin @ yourdomainname.co.za)
7.4 Creating a signature for your e-mail with your domain name and make sure the domain name on your e-mail you send! Your signature should include:
• Your full name
• Your domain name
• Your e-mail
Your number • Phone
• Your fax number
• Your slogan or a slogan
• Your company name
7.5 Place an advertisement in publications your area.
7.6 Your domain name must be entered on each article you write and if it appears on a website, it must be linkable.
7.7 Networking. Yes I know, we, Africans, South-see networking as a four letter word? but what I mean is … wherever you go, about your online business. Distribute your business cards with your domain name. Talking, talking, talking and talking about your business!
Online Marketing
Online marketing can be divided into two categories namely, free and paid.
If you have time and no money – to follow free way.
If you have money and no time, you can visit this link and have done for you:
http://filing4africa.com/virtualbiz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=46
The free way.
This method is very time consuming, but worth it.
Here are some links where you can add your site for free!
http://www.klerksdorphost.co.za
http://www.sa-linx.co.za
http://www.business-directory.co.za
http://capetown.gumtree.co.za
http://www.vottle.com
http://www.netads24.com
http://www.theclassifieds.co.za
http://www.online-classifieds.co.za/classifieds/
8. CUSTOMER SERVICE
Of course it is easier to get a client that really keep a customer. And generally, we do not keep a customer because our customer service is not up!
I received a surprise call yesterday. I came across a website in my search of a particular company, I would like first. And I filled their contact form, not really expect them to call me. Because I've done several times on different sites and never even received a reply until yesterday when I received a call from Barcelona. I almost fell off my chair!
And this is exactly what you want. You want to shock your clients by providing superior service! Service they expect, but do not really believe they will receive!
You must be willing to listen to your customers. South African business owners online have this strange notion that they are invisible and therefore they never need to react. If you do not react no customer complaints and inquiries, you will become invisible!
If your client has a legitimate complaint you need to begin by thanking and foremost! Yes, I know it goes against our grain, but in the end, the customer has saved a lot of embarrassment and future mistakes! And Keep your customers updated on how you solve the problem.
Why is this important? One word – the Internet!
The Internet has given to normal off the mill to the customer opportunity to file complaints on public sites and a smear of your business. Just visit Facebook or Hellopeter to see what people are really capable of doing!
Whatever the situation, you should always be courteous and respectful when dealing with your customers.
The biggest complaint is not "slow response". Fighting against this by staying in touch!
9. KEEP on marketing!
I know we all feel that a marketing campaign is sufficient. But never enough really enough?
You must keep it. Go to the fear of hours a day looking for new ideas and innovate on how to promote your business online. Keep on posting of advertisements, and so on a daily basis.
There are so many places to place ads online, even if you do on a daily basis, you can never deplete the provision of online advertising space.
Thank you for customer use your service or purchase your product by sending a special thank you e-mail and follow that up in the week with a news bulletin stating other products they might be interested in.
This is where your answering machine is very convenient. It sends an automatic reply to your customers quickly and on time. That could you ask?
Send your clients candies interesting about your product / service by alerting them to the articles you are on. Customers always appreciate this and they know you're on the ball and updated in your area.
It is also a great way to get new content on your website. The e-mails you send to your industry can be placed on your website and keep it fresh and updated at any time.
ABSTRACT
I sincerely hope you have learned something about how to start and manage your business online.
You can visit http://www.filing4africa.com For further information on various subjects and also our blog where you can http://www.klerksdorponline.com find more interesting articles on online business.
August 23rd, 2010 
Steve 
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