Internet Marketing Strategies Part Two: Developing Your Product
by Shelley Lowery
Developing your own product to market on the Internet isn't as difficult as you may think. Today's technology has opened a whole New World of opportunity for even the smallest homebased business owner. The knowledge you have within your own mind is all you'll need to develop a successful product.
Everybody is good at something. You don't have to be a Rocket Scientist in order to create your own product. If that were the case, most of us would fail. Maybe you have a special talent or some specialized knowledge. Use this knowledge to create a product.
Researching
Before you begin developing your product, make sure you've done your homework. Research the market to determine exactly what people want and develop your product accordingly. If your product doesn't have a market, it won't be successful.
Your product should not only fill a void, but should also be unique. The less competition you have, the better. If you enter a market in which you're competing against hundreds of other products similar to yours, your chance of success will be minimal. Develop a high-quality product that fills a void and provides people with exactly what they want.
Another consideration of great importance is your product's delivery method. The best form of product delivery on the Internet is automated. Internet users want the product they order as soon as their purchase is complete. This can be accomplished in a number of ways depending upon the type of product. For example, if your product is software or information, it can reside on your server and be instantly downloaded via a link. If your product is a private site, you can provide instant access as soon as your customer's payment has been processed.
Not only does instant product delivery benefit your customer, but it will also benefit you. By completely automating your product's ordering and delivery process, you can spend your time performing more important tasks, such as making more sales.
Brain Storming
The most difficult part of creating your own product is deciding upon the product itself. First of all, you'll need to decide what type of product you would like to develop.
Some of the top Internet sellers include:
• Software
• Information
• Private sites
• Internet services
Once you have determined the type, then you can focus your attention on the subject matter.
If you would like to develop a software program, but aren't capable of writing it yourself, consider hiring a professional. If you would be interested in developing a desktop software program, simply visit a Search Engine and search for "software developers." If you would like to develop a software that resides on a server, search for "scripting services." Although this type of product will be the most expensive to develop, it can be very profitable.
Information is a big seller on the Internet and is also the most inexpensive to develop. Your information can be in the form of a report, an ebook or even a private site.
Internet users are starving for information, as that is what the Internet is all about. They have a sincere desire to learn and will search for the information they desire. The best form of information is "how-to" information that teaches or informs in regard to a specific subject. Even if the subject is very unique, the Internet is a great market for even the most niche products.
If you'd like to develop a product that is very inexpensive to create and has a great profit margin, then an informational product is your best bet. Most informational products are compiled into a downloadable file better known as an ebook. In order to compile your files into an ebook, you'll need to purchase a compiler. Prices start at around $25. You can find a complete list of compilers here:
http://www.web-source.net/web/Ebooks/Compilers/
For further information on creating an informational product, you may read the article entitled, "How to Create, Sell and Distribute Your Own Informational Product." http://www.web-source.net/info_products.htm
Here are a few subjects to give you some ideas:
Recipes
Cooking
Sewing Tips
Gardening
Canning
Makeup and Skin Care
Weight Loss
Self Improvement
Health and Fitness
Child Development
Teenagers
Romance
Dating
Relationships
Divorce
Single Mothers
Single Fathers
Teenage Mothers
Teenage Fathers
Home Decorating
Home Remodeling
Home Maintenance
Plumbing
Carpentry
Small Appliance Repair
Home Buying
Auto Mechanics
Auto Buying
Home Finances
Home Business
Computers
Internet
Internet services are also very profitable. However, this type of product requires more of your time. In addition, you must be an expert in a given field in order to provide a quality service.
Here are a few popular Internet services:
• Web/Graphics Design
• Copywriting
• Software Development
• Marketing Consultant
• Publicist
• Search Engine Optimization/Submissions
Alternative Products
If you'd rather not develop your own product, you may want to consider selling someone else's product. You can find hundreds of great affiliate programs here:
http://www.associateprograms.com/
If you would be interested in selling some of the top name brand items, the following website will provide you with hundreds of legitimate drop shippers. These companies will allow you to sell their products on your website and even ship them to your customers. (There is a $39.95 per year fee for this service)
http://www.electronicdartshop.com/dropshipsource.html
Summary
Developing your own product is an essential part of your online success. Take your time and make sure you do your homework before you begin. No matter what product you develop, quality is of the utmost importance. Provide your customers with exactly what you promise and more -- over-deliver.
If you develop a quality product that fills a void and provides Internet users with exactly what they want, your product will be a success.
Copyright © Shelley Lowery 2001.
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of several successful ebooks including Web Design Mastery - An in-depth guide to professional web design. Ebook Starter - A Complete Ebook Design Kit, and eZines: A Complete Guide to Publishing for Profit. Subscribe to Etips and receive a free copy of her highly acclaimed ebook, "Killer Internet Marketing Strategies." http://www.web-source.net
You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author bylines are included.
Part Three
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
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