This Question is Possibly Answered

1 "correct" answer available (5 pts) 3 "helpful" answers available (4 pts)
Post a new topic
6 Replies Last post: Dec 12, 2008 1:19 PM by scribesays

Why Most People Fail to Make Money Online

Dec 9, 2008 1:32 PM

Click to view ZekeLL's profile Mogul ZekeLL 53 posts since
Dec 2, 2008
Internet is, in my opinion, the best tool ever invented. I just love it. It has made starting companies a lot easier. However, most Internet companies fail to make any money. Why is that?

Is starting an online business different from starting any other business? Yes and no. Yes, the technologies change. And no, most basic principles still apply. You still need to understand your target market, learn what they want, and provide them with it in a cost-effective way. You still need to learn what their buttons are and how to push them. You still need to know about finances, leadership, management, marketing, and sales.

Don't think for a moment that just because you open a store online and Internet reaches the whole world people will buy from you. Venture capital firms call this "The China Myth" because so many entrepreneurs pitch investors on the idea that all they need is 1% of the Chinese market to be successful. The question is "How do you plan to sell to that 1%?" Don't even think that because so many people have an Internet connection and you open an online store "someone will bite". It just won't happen unless you make it happen.

As an Internet Marketing consultant I've spoken with several people who start an online business, a month later they haven't made enough money, and they decide that the business was a bad idea so they start a new one. Another month down the road they are in the same place. Nothing happens.

So many people are always looking for the next "hot" thing to do, the next "hot trend", the next easy way to get rich overnight... so many people follow the so-called gurus who make money online by selling them e-books on how to make money online!

Don't give up so easily. When you start a company, work on it until it becomes successful. Don't give up after a few weeks. The truth is that a couple of weeks aren't enough to figure out the right business model.

Another mistake I see often is people thinking too small and not considering the monetary value of their time. A woman told me the other day "I have an online business. Last month I made a profit." When I asked her how much money she made and how much time she invested she said "I made $45 last month and I usually work 3 hours a day." After doing the math we figured out that she was making $0.68/hour. McDonalds pays a lot more than that. I said "Good, that's a great start. Now let's think big." and we went over a plan that helped her make $1,500 the next month. Your time is worth money. If you want to become rich overnight or make some easy money, don't waste your time. If you are determined to building a solid business, Internet is one of the best things that could ever happen to you.

One last thought. I often see people spending 80% building a website and 20% promoting it. You should do it the other way around. If people don't know about your website, your website doesn't exist.

If you enjoyed this article, visit my blog at www.TheOutsourcingCompany.com/blog for more great tips on entrepreneurship and online marketing.

The Outsourcing Company - Professional Web Design
Blog: www.TheOutsourcingCompany.com/blog
www.TheOutsourcingCompany.com
info@TheOutsourcingCompany.com
(1)877-581-3921 (Available 24/7)
Report as inappropriate
Click to view EagleEye's profile Mogul EagleEye 85 posts since
Nov 7, 2008
1. Re: Why Most People Fail to Make Money Online Dec 9, 2008 3:34 PM
in response to: LUCKIEST
I especially appreciated what you had to say about how people spend more on designing a site then promoting it. This is so so so true. A site that looks pretty but does not strategically draw traffic is like a brand new Mercedes with no engine. Might look nice in the driveway, but it is going no where!

EagleEye
http://www.blitzlocal.com
http://www.avivadirectory.com
Click to view ZekeLL's profile Mogul ZekeLL 53 posts since
Dec 2, 2008
2. Re: Why Most People Fail to Make Money Online Dec 10, 2008 11:40 AM
in response to: EagleEye
Great analogy, EagleEye!

Zeke Camusio
The Outsourcing Company - Professional Web Design
Blog: www.TheOutsourcingCompany.com/blog
www.TheOutsourcingCompany.com
info@TheOutsourcingCompany.com
(1)877-581-3921 (Available 24/7)
Click to view EagleEye's profile Mogul EagleEye 85 posts since
Nov 7, 2008
3. Re: Why Most People Fail to Make Money Online Dec 10, 2008 1:41 PM
in response to: ZekeLL
Thanks! I actually got it from one of my mentors (dennisyu.com) and it stuck!

EagleEye
http://www.blitzlocal.com
http://www.avivadirectory.com
Click to view My_Lan's profile Mogul My_Lan 69 posts since
Nov 21, 2008
4. Re: Why Most People Fail to Make Money Online Dec 10, 2008 3:46 PM
I can't agree more. Sometimes when I make a site and ask people how they plan to advertise it and reach their target market, their responses are "Google". And next comes the actual coaching on how to utilize their site. But thanks for your insightful comments.
Click to view EagleEye's profile Mogul EagleEye 85 posts since
Nov 7, 2008
5. Re: Why Most People Fail to Make Money Online Dec 11, 2008 4:15 PM
in response to: ZekeLL
I gave you the wrong url for my mentor Dennis yesterday. Here is the correct one with a link to what he has to say about why people fail. :)

http://www.dennis-yu.com/why-people-fail-must-be-present-to-win

EagleEye
http://www.blitzlocal.com
http://www.avivadirectory.com
Click to view scribesays's profile Authority scribesays 11 posts since
Dec 12, 2008
6. Re: Why Most People Fail to Make Money Online Dec 12, 2008 1:19 PM
I think another reason people fail is they don't know how to measure profitability. I mean, just look at the Big 3! Granted, they are not in the business the make money online (solely), but I think the failure started with lousy accounting and misleading numbers to sell shareholders.

Maybe if we took the time to understand how our own business works, and how to grasp new opportunities that help boost profits, it could be easier. I found this great tool that might be useful:

www.Im-Screwed.com

It's worth a laugh at least :)