Success  @   Netbusiness

Internet Companies, like people, are of two kinds.
Those that live life to the fullest, and those that merely exist.
There are numerous Web sites out there that do little more
than generate publicity or act as an Electronic Mailroom.
The more successful ones do everything from generating
revenue, speeding up complex and time consuming processes,
creating awareness to building relationships, and in general,
making life easier and more enjoyable. You obviously expect
the latter from your Dot Com venture- so here are ways to get
you closer to your objective:

1. Check your ego at the Door
The thought of running an e-business is kind of overwhelming, isn't it?
The limitless potential of an E business can make you bite far more
than you can swallow. So if you don't want to choke up on your
ambition, think one byte at a time.

2. Give it a Viable Cause
When Jeff Bezos set up his Internet business, he had a
clear idea of just what he wanted to do: "Sell books over the net."
This simple and practical objective still drives all the decisions at
Amazon.com. Needless to say, it pays to figure out the specific need
your web site seeks to address - and the technologies that can make
it happen.

3. Chart the Right Course
  Build your idea step-by-step. There's many a slip between
the initial brainstorm and the finished web site. A clear, precise
Business Plan will not only serve to orient your staff, but will
also help to get the funding in place..

4. Get customer feedback
Find out what your customers need, and whether your business
can fulfill any of them.
More importantly, build viable plans to address those needs
effectively. Customer Feedback is also the perfect way to keep up
with competing businesses and retain your share of the eyeballs.

5. Use Technology to Enable-not Impress
Just how many of us would like to wake up in a glass dome,
surrounded by robot servants? The majority of us prefer to work
with simple, familiar things, so please refrain from making your
site look too Gizmo-ish (Unless you're looking to attract die-hard nerds.)
Remember, as far as Web sites go, it's always substance over style.

6. Build a sustainable business model
The web is still in a stage of rapid evolution. As this dynamic medium
keeps changing, so must the message. The Web strategy that seems
perfect today may not remain equally effective, even as early as a few
months from now.
The key lies in experimenting constantly within the frame work of your
core values/ corporate identity.
The real beauty of the Internet is in the way it keeps reinventing itself -
and the only way to keep up is to stay young, curious and tirelessly inventive.

© Times of India (Pune Edition)
By UMA DONGRE

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