Internet
Marketing Strategies > Product Development >
Designing Your Web Site
Part Two: Product
Development
Developing a
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 Your Product
Development
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 Your Product Development
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 web site will provide you with hundreds of legitimate drop shippers.
These companies will allow you to sell their products on your web site and
even ship them to your customers. (There is a $69.95 fee for a lifetime
membership.)
http://www.wholesalecentral.com/Dropshippers.html
Product Development 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
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course, Web Design
Mastery.
http://www.webdesignmastery.com
And, Ebook Starter - Give Your Ebooks the look and feel of a REAL book.
http://www.ebookstarter.com
Visit Web-Source.net to sign up for a complimentary subscription to Etips
and receive a copy of the 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.
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