According to the people that have already done so successfully, there is a proven series of steps you should take when starting an online business. Although the internet changes from one moment to the next (it seems), taking each of the following steps will help you start and grow your online business.

Identify a Need

Often people start out with a product that they want to sell online without first asking whether there is a market for it. Instead start with identifying a market; that is, find a group of people that are looking for a solution to a problem and then find a product or service that provides that solution.

Learn to Write Great Copy

There are proven sales formulas that show you how to take a customer through the sales journey: from initial interest to a sale. Learn these formulas always remembering that you need to focus on communicating how what you are selling is uniquely placed to solve their problem and improve their lives.

Build a Website

Once you have your product or service and a selling formula you need to create a and design a website to attract prospects. Keep it simple and to the point: people have very short attention spans on the internet and you only have seconds to grab their attention and keep it. So worry less about design and construction (there are many automated website builders available) and more about quickly getting across how you will solve a customer’s problem or fulfil their needs.

Take Advantage of Search Engine Techniques

There are many ways to drive visitors to your website. You can wait for traffic to come organically or take advantage of pay-per-click advertising techniques. Using social media is also a good way to announce your presence. Ideally, you want to offer something of value that will attract visitors in the first instance – such as a compelling article about the problem you are solving, for instance.

Establish Yourself as an Expert

Once customers come to your site they will only stay if you are of use to them so you need to establish a reputation as someone that offers valuable information in the niche that you are selling your product – an expert, if you will, that answers all the questions and concerns they may have. Become a presence on outside forums and social sites and link back to your site.

Use Email Marketing

Making a sale is great but by asking customers to join an email list you can continue to market to them in the future and make sales many times over. Email marketing is a subject in itself and can turbo charge your starting an online business.