How and Why Your Small Business Can Make More Money Online

With the buzz-generating capabilities of the internet, and the tools to launch an online business readily available, there's no reason why your small business should hesitate to get on board. Being profitable online can be just as rewarding as your offline sales channels, and even though there is a lot of competition on the Internet, you can keep track of sales and results in an easy format.

Online sales are helping businesses of all types and sizes to generate new streams of revenue-simply adding a shopping basket to your retail site can help you boost customer interaction immediately, making every new product on the site much more profitable. As a small business owner, you need to stay one step ahead of the trends of online purchasing behavior, but also take advantage of all the tools and marketing opportunities available on the world wide web. Here are a few tips and ideas to consider:

1. Launch your Google AdWords campaign. Many small business owners are reluctant to spend a portion of their marketing budget for online marketing, but Google AdWords can give you the extra boost you need to reach your target market. Even when you're promoting your URL on all of your media materials or web publishing outlets, you are still missing out on a large number of people who can find you through search engines and targeted ad placements. Your budget doesn't have to be extensive to get started, and you can monitor results every step of the way. Google AdWords is just one targeted approach to online marketing, and very simple to set up.
2. Add audio and video to your site. Flash-based sites are no longer your only option, and you can add some interesting elements to your website with slideshows, multimedia effects, and even downloadable material. This can give you an extra edge over your competitors, and you'll always have something new and unique to share with site visitors.
3. Develop a podcasting series. Almost any industry can fare well with podcasting and when you start publishing all of your own audio content on a regular basis, you'll also start rounding up some new subscribers. Start generating some insightful and relevant topics to talk about, and create a series of 5-10 minute clips on the subject. You'll be surprised how many people will be interested in downloading these to their mp3 players, and you might create a strong following as a result.
4. Develop and promote your blog. Blogging has become a necessity for almost any business, and can even just be an extension of your website. Blogging keeps visitors up to date on any company news, highlights, events, or just some insight on your industry. If you need to hire a blogger, take the time to find someone who is passionate about your company and will provide readers with valuable information. Blog traffic is very valuable to search engine rankings, and will help you develop a new bond with your audience.
5. Start a Google AdSense campaign on your blog. If you're reluctant to start placing Google AdSense ads on your main site, at least consider adding them to your blog. Blogs are much more versatile and even ‘casual' in presentation so people are less likely to be turned off by Google Ads running on sidebars on this section of your site. You can set a budget here as well, and keep track of results with monthly reports and summaries.
6. Work on your e-newsletter. More and more e-mail newsletters are being dumped into junk folders or mistakenly labeled as spam; when you think you're sending out a large batch of e-newsletters to your target market, the majority will not even open them. Make sure you are following all non-spam rules and regulations, and design the newsletter in an easily-readable format.
7. Make it easy to close the sale. In many ways, developing your online presence through the website or a blog offers an opportunity to close that sale; adding a discount code or coupon to each posting can help your readers turn to a purchase immediately. You can also redesign your site so that the checkout process is smooth, simple, and enjoyable. No matter what you are selling, making it easy to complete the sale can help to generate the actual sale with very little effort.

Resources for Growing Your Small Business Online

When you're ready to update or upgrade your online presence with any (or all) of these tools, here are some resources to consider and help you get started:

Blog and publishing platforms:

Wordpress: http://www.wordpress.com/

Blogger: http://www.blogger.com/

TypePad: http://www.typepad.com/

Square Space: http://www.squarespace.com/

E-Newsletter services and delivery systems:

Constant Contact: http://www.constantcontact.com/

-Newsletter Pro: www.enewsletterpro.com/

Campaigner: http://www.campaigner.com/

Blue Sky Factory: http://www.blueskyfactory.com/

Google AdWords/AdSense networks:

http://www.adwords.google.com/

http://www.adsense.google.com/

Shopping Carts:

X-Cart: http://www.xcart.com/

Early Impact: http://www.earlyimpact.com/

eCartsoft: www.eCartsoft.com

Podcasting:

Replay Radio: http://www.replay-radio.com/

Propaganda: http://www.makepropaganda.com/

M-Audio: http://www.m-audio.com/

Webmaster Podcaster: http://www.webmasterpodcaster.com/

There are many ways to make more money with your business online, and generating interest from your target audience is an essential step. Making the most of today's technology and free tools can help you stand apart from your competitors, no matter how small your capital budget may be. Many small businesses overlook the potential available on the web, especially in places where there is little monetary investment required. All it takes is some creativity and being able to accommodate for the growing audience on the internet. Keep in mind that more offline customers are turning to the internet to find information, and even make a direct purchase. The sooner you can ‘meet' your prospects on the web, the easier it will be to turn them into lifelong customers.

Building strong relationships with customers is just as valuable on the web as it is in an offline setting, and taking the time to restructure and develop your online presence can help you make the most of each and every marketing campaign. Over time, you may even yourself making more money online than any offline strategies of the past!