The Complete E-Commerce Book: Design, Build, and Maintain a Successful Web-Based Business

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Starting an Online Business For Dummies, 4th Edition

Format: Paperback
Author: Greg Holden
ReleaseDate: 04 March, 2005
Publisher: For Dummies
Rating:

Great Book For the New Startup
I did exactly what he said when I was setting up my on-line business. This guy knows what he is talking about. The only thing was that this book didn't exist then and I had to learn it all one step at a time. Well, I guess that's the only way any of us learn anything.

One thing he emphasises strongly and with which I cannot agree more, be a good e-mailer. If you get a question, a complaint, or anything else, respond quickly and in a friendly manner. Remember the old saying, "The customer is always right, even when he's wrong he's still right. "

If you ship someone a bad CD (if that's what you're selling) and he comes bad and says it's bad, send him a new one immediately, before you even tell him to send you the old one back. Send it by first class mail, or even overnight. The rating he is likely to give you on e-Bay or Amazon or just with his friends is worth far more than the cost.

One point I would emphasize stronger. Pick a niche in which to market. Amazon sells everything, but not REALLY everything. Specialty hobby products from rock climbing to clock making, specialty books like maybe I-10 from one end to the other (and if you publish this, Amazon might sell it for you). You must specialize in something, something you cna define in a short sentence, or may two.

If you start an on-line business, remember that the web is only a communications medium. You're really just using the web to do what we used to call mail-order. This book emphasizes the on-line part of the business, just like the title says, you'll learn all this sooner or later, in this little book you'll have everything at your fingertips.

To basic and not enough practical guidance
Although the book says "for dummies", you'd really HAVE to be a dummy to get much out of this. This book was clearly for beginners only. The book is simply too vague when talking about important internet concepts and doen't show you how to REALLY get an online business going. I personally would reccomend 33 Days to Profits by Yank Silver www. 33daystoprofits. com as a much better way to get PRACTICAL advice on starting an online business.

Good summary of...
Also there was a lot of promotion for other people in the book, which I did not expect. what you need to get started, but not a great deal of detail. The book makes it appear anyone can have a successful online business if they have the drive, but this is not realistic since there are many details that must be understood for a successful online business. My advise: Don't be overly optimistic because a stranger said you can be successful.