Five Keys to Online Success

Develop a Brand - What is a brand? According to the dictionary, it is a recognizable kind; "there's a new brand of hero in the movies now"; "what make of car is that?" Your brand is how your customers come to think of you. A brand is made up of images, words, and emotions. Designs, logos, tag lines, writing/copy, and promotional language are all means to create a recognizable identity.

Be Consistent - Your literature should tell the same story, as your website. Your identity should be recognizable whether it is on a business card, an email or a mailing. Remember, make it recognizable. You recognize good brand strategies. No matter what language it is in, most folks can always recognize a Coca Cola promotion.

Clear and Concise - Think of your online message as your elevator pitch. You’ve got 30 seconds to catch their attention. What is the message being conveyed by your home page? Is it clear? Don’t know? At your next networking event, ask 10 people to help you with an experiment. Invite them to visit your site, look at only your home page and based on that - tell you what you do. You’ll be surprised.

Provide valuable information - Content is King, and you need to give your customers reason to visit often. Strive to develop content that keeps people coming back for more. If you deliver the information customer's want and they'll be more likely to do business with you.

Differentiation - Sometimes we are easier, faster, and cheaper. Other times, we are better, stronger, and more powerful. By listening to your client’s needs you understand their problem. Then you can fix it. Online businesses are no different. The Internet is an amazing vehicle for your business, its message and solving your client’s problems.