Technology is a critical success factor for any internet marketing business, but frequently people just starting out don’t have a very good understanding of what kind of technology is required or how it will affect their businesses.

The following ten tips should help you get off to a good start.

Whenever possible, try to launch systems and processes that work together easily and are up 100% of the time to support customers and prospects. Create an “automated money machine” that is backed by an excellent technical support team, if you want to make your life uncomplicated and your bank account fat.

1. Web Hosting Service – You’ll need a hosting service to provide a “home” for your website. There are many web hosting companies available to help home businesses and affilaite businesses. Their services do differ, as do their costs, so be sure to shop around before making your decision.
2. Products – You’ll have to have one or more products to sell – products that you have developed yourself, or ones that have been created by other people. If you offer your own products, then you’ll also have to worry about all the associated back office capabilities. If you get your products from others, then you’ll have to worry about supply relationship management, order fulfillments, customer satisfaction and proper payment.
3. Web 2.0 Capabilities – The internet is constantly changing, so if you want to be successful in today’s internet world, you’ll want sites and services that allow blogging and social communities (i.e., ones that use Web 2.0 to facilitate a whole host of collaboration, interaction and participation, using the web as the network platform).
4. Computer & Printer – If do internet marketing (IM), you’ll need a computer – preferably one that you own, either a desktop model or a laptop. You’ll need one with plenty of memory and speed. A broadband internet connection is preferred over dial-up. You’ll also need a printer. Get wireless capabilities for both
5. Data & Systems Security – You’ll also require good security for your applications and data. This can take the form of physical security, plus programs such as firewalls, and security programs like McAfee or Norton.
6. Affiliate Program Network – If you’re intending to sell several affiliate products, you’ll almost certainly also want to join one or more Affilate Program Networks (APNs), such as ClickBank, Commission Junction, or LinkShare, etc. to handle your commissions, sales statistics, and other back office functions for you.
7. Data & Systems Backup/Restore Capability – Another need is for backup of your locally stored programs and data. Regardless of other security measures, there will eventually come a time when you suffer some sort of a system crash, with either partial or complete loss of data and key programs. So you will also have to have a healthy backup and restore system.
8. Your Own Domain Name – You’ll want a domain name that belongs to you, so that you can begin to develop your own brand. Further, some providers will not allow you to refer to an affiliate website, but only a domain that you own. A first-rate domain name will be short (30 characters or less), sensible to the eye and the ear, and indicative of your product or service. The most favored names end in “.com” and such names are ideal for most online marketing businesses, if available.
9. Technical Support – A frequently overlooked requirement – is the need for excellent technical support – for both your local hardware and software, but even more importantly, for any of your customer-facing websites and product systems.
10. Telecommunications – Another fundamental tool is telecommunications, including an ISP and a telephone – either land-line, cellular, or VOIP, with or without headset. It should have both local and long distance features, and if you plan to hold conferences for your downline, the ability to handle conference calls. If you’re going to do teleseminars, etc., you’ll probably want to invest in a teleconferencing service that can handle many, perhaps hundreds or even a thousand, callers at the same time.

If your customer-facing systems go down and you are not able to get fast technical support from any/all your suppliers, the ensuing downtime can influence your advertising and marketing campaigns, you can lose or alienate potential customers, and ultimately, your profit margin will suffer (not to mention your brand, as well).

Technology is the lifeblood of an internet business, and given Murphy’s Law, you have to to prepare for the eventual downtime and system crashes that occur as well. Implementing all these basic technologies will help the success of your online business.

I’m taking my own advice and conducting my own online marketing business. I invite you to take control of your future and your financial security by starting a work at home internet job.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 at 11:43 am and is filed under Online Business, Promotion and Marketing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.