Technology is a critical success factor for any affiliate marketing business, but frequently beginning internet marketers don't have a good understanding of what kind of technology is needed or how it will affect their businesses.
The following ten tips should help you get started well.
Try to create processes and systems that integrate easily, and are accessible 100% of the time to assist customers and prospects. Develop an "automated money machine" that is backed by an excellent technical support team, to make your life trouble-free and your bank account fat.
1. Computer & Printer
If conduct internet marketing (IM), you'll need a computer - preferably one of your own, either a desktop model or a laptop. Get one with plenty of memory and speed. A broadband is faster than dial-up. You'll also need a printer. Get wireless capabilities for both
2. 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 advertising media will not affiliate links, or even subdomains, but only a domain that you own. A good quality domain name will be short (30 characters or less), sensible to the eye and the ear, and representative of your business or product. The preferred names end in ".com" and such names are preferred for most internet marketing businesses, if available.
3. Telecommunications
Another fundamental tool is telecommunications, including an Internet Service Provider and a telephone - either land-line, cellular, or VOIP, with or without headset, whichever you like. 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.
4. Web Hosting Service
You'll need a web hosting service to provide a "home" for your website. There are many web hosting companies available to meet the needs of home businesses and online marketers. Their products do differ, as do their costs, so be sure to shop around before making your decision.
5. Data & Systems Security
You'll also require good security for your software and data. This can take the form of physical security, plus technologies such as firewalls, and security programs like McAfee or Norton.
6. Data & Systems Backup/Restore Capability
Another necessit is for backup of your locally stored programs and data. Regardless of other security measures, there will probably come a time when you experience some sort of a system crash, with either partial or complete loss of data and key programs. Consequently you will also need a robust backup and restore capability.
7. Products
You'll need one or more products to sell - products that you have developed yourself, or ones that have been created by other people. If you create your own products, then you'll also have to worry about maintaining appropriate inventories, performing upgrades, handling returns, etc. If you get your products from others, then you'll have to worry about maintaining the relations with those vendors, ensuring that required products get shipped on time, customer satisfaction and that you get properly paid.
8. Affiliate Program Network
If you're planning 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.
9. Web 2.0 Capabilities
The internet is very dynamic, so if you want to be successful in today's environment, 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).
10. Technical Support
Finally - another commonly overlooked requirement - is the need for reliable technical support - for both your local hardware and software, but even more importantly, for any of your customer-facing websites and product systems. If these go down and you are powerless to get quick technical support from any/all your vendors, the resulting downtime can crash your advertising and marketing campaigns, you can lose or annoy potential customers, and ultimately, your income will suffer (including your brand, as well).
Technology is the lifeblood of an affiliate marketing business, and given Murphy's Law, you must to prepare for the eventual downtime and system crashes that crop up 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 internet marketing business. Take control of your future and your financial security by starting a legitimate home based business.
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