Top Ten Tips v5.0

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Originally published at Internet.com

Prior to launching an e-commerce site, there are countless hours devoted to the innumerable preparatory tasks. A successful e-business Web site requires careful planning, extensive research and an outline for how you expect to conduct business. This collection of EC Tips can help you plot your course for your first e-store or provide you with some suggestions for your existing site.

Had Any Good Ideas Lately?
Great ideas are all around you but the key is identifying which one will have an impact on your future.

Your Outline for Success
Your business plan should be the basis for your e-commerce site, laying the groundwork for all other e-business responsibilities.

Seek the Advice of Others
If you are a lone netrepreneur, here are some methods for tapping the brainpower of those who have the skills you lack.

eStart-Up Checklist
It takes more than a fierce drive and determination to succeed in e-business. Smart decision-making, thorough research and a solid plan are vital to online survival.

Name that Number
Need a distinctive URL? Your digits can do double duty as a domain name too.

Free or Fee?
Desire for information is one of the dominant motives for Internet usage. If your e-commerce business model is content-dependent, you should have a plan for how you expect to be profitable.

Don't Try this at Home
Before you go ahead and buy the entire "Web Design for Dummies, Idiots, Novices and Amateurs" collection, evaluate the benefits of hiring a professional designer.

Need More Time?
Since one of the basic principles for running an e-comm site successfully is to automate as many tasks as possible, it makes sense to apply that to your own business and personal tasks as well.

An E-Commerce Essential
No professional e-commerce site would be complete without this small piece of interactive technology - your e-store's own personal search engine.

Don't Neglect Your Sleep Mode
When the e-commerce profits roll in, will you be too tired to care?