A year ago, I had big plans to re-vamp my web site. I was going
to publish my e-newsletter twice a month – every month, and
I was going to upgrade my own e-commerce capabilities. Those were
my Internet marketing “resolutions" for 2004.
And I broke
them all. Every single one. (One of them I broke even before the
month of January was over!) For every goal, I had an
excuse. And the excuses won.
But this year is different. It’s 2005 – time to get
live! At the end of the first quarter, I’m already off to
a good start. In January, I launched my new web site. And
you’re reading another newsletter issue. So far, so good!
But this article isn’t about me. It’s about YOU! What
are your Internet marketing goals?
This spring, I intend to (check
all that apply):
Finally get that web site up and running.
Add e-commerce to my current
web site.
Overhaul my existing web site.
Get more web traffic.
Get more leads, prospects, or subscribers
to my web site.
Get more orders.
Great! But how?
Just like any other kind of goal, Internet marketing
goals require ACTION. E-commerce success doesn’t happen overnight. What
do you plan to do to make it happen? As the old adage goes, “if
you do the same thing you’ve been doing, you’ll get
the same results you’ve been getting!"
So, will you do
things differently this time? Or will you make the same excuses
you made last year for not bringing your web site
up to par?
Let’s take a look at some of the most common marketing
issues. Do any of these statements sound familiar? Check off any
that do.
“I just can’t seem to get my [web site,
marketing campaign, redesign, shopping cart, etc.] started."
“ I keep starting a new marketing effort, but I can’t
seem to finish it."
“ When it comes to [Internet marketing, e-commerce, web
sites, etc.], I’m just clueless. I don’t know what
to do."
“ I know I could benefit from marketing my [web site,
products, service, etc.] but I’m not sure what steps to take.
I feel stuck"
“ I just don’t have time. I’m
too busy dealing with [customers, clients, day job, family, etc.]
to deal with my
web site."
“ Every time I sit down to work on my marketing, I just
can’t seem to stay focused."
Now, let’s look at each statement, and see if there’s
any truth to it, or if it’s actually an excuse that’s
keeping you and your business from the success you want to achieve.