Top 5 Dot Com Myths Debunked

Most people who get into business know what's involved. They have completed hours of research before getting into it. That's great! Even so, we may still have some myths that need to be debunked. Now and forever. We all may have some lingering ideas; after all many have these myths are quite tempting. However, it's important for serious business owners to quickly get them out of the way so some really forward moves can be made. In the world of the Internet businesses, the industry is rife with myths that ultimately can be as harmless as a distraction or as worse as a serious loss in capital, which could ultimately lead to business failure.

There are many persistent myths out there but we'll go over the most popular ones.

  • You don't need money to start! This type of claim coupled with you can make thousands in a few weeks or similar statements have misled many. Although there are some solid marketing techniques that may not cost you anything, it's unlikely you can start a profitable e-business without a dime.
  • You can get by on free advertising alone. One of the great things about the Internet is that it dramatically reduces startup and overhead costs, including advertising. There are loads of free classified ads costs, but based on my own research most of these sites produce little or no traffic. Majority of the people who visit these sites are just placing their own ads and are rarely interested in spending any money on your product or service. The same is true for "free-for-all" link pages. Once you've decided to become a serious e-business owner, you need to step up your game. The idea of getting something for nothing is just as unrealistic online as it is offline.

    Some legitimate free advertising that you can use include link exchanges, banner exchanges, article submission, ad swapping with other e-zines, and forum participation. There are other types of course but the above list gives you an idea. In the case, you are specifically targeting people who are interested in your product or service. Remember prospects, not suspects.
  • You don't have to deal with people. Many novice small business owners think a few auto responders and occasional e-mail will help them avoid the tedious task of customer service. E-businesses have much lower customer service expenses than other types of businesses but it doesn't mean you don't want to provide your customers with options. It's a good idea to set up a special phone number, during specific hours where your customers can reach you. Even if you have to start with just a voicemail, it's a start.
  • You can get rich overnight. There is no other way of doing business than over the Internet that offers such a great promise of wealth. The costs of a start-up e-business are minimal but it doesn't mean that the dollars will pour in. Like any other businesses, success depends on effort, the execution of solid marketing strategies, and most of all a great product or service.
  • You don't need to be knowledgeable about traditional business practices. People sometimes have the misconception that running an Internet based businesses is completely different than other types. Although e-businesses have their own set of rules, for the most part traditional business practices will go a long way. Regular visits to the Small Business Administration (http://sba.gov) will have novice business owners get their bearings.

    • This is not a definitive list but it shows some pervasive myths that can potentially get in your way on the road to e-commerce success. Becoming familiar with them will not only help you in your own business endeavor but it will also help you avoid suspicious and far-reaching business propositions.

    Copyright © 2005 Rhonda Winn - All Rights Reserved. Rhonda Winn has been helping small business owners since 2000. She is the author of the popular eBook, "How to Live Your Dreams and Achieve Unlimited Wealth in Small Business" Receive the first chapter free, when you join her bi-monthly newsletter today: SmallBizStartupKit.com. Her site contains dozens of free downloads, articles, forums, resources, journals, and more.

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