What are the advantages of e-commerce website or having business on-line?

Thousands of e-stores/websites now thrive on the Web, providing people with information and tools to purchase goods and services electronically. For small businesses, which are otherwise limited to few markets, the Internet can deliver a global market.

But how do your potential customers know about your website? It may be difficult given the amount of websites of different discipline available on the net. To attract clients on your website, you have to aggressively market your website. While sending bulk mails may be a good way to reach many people instantly and also cost effective but on the other hand various forms of marketing like promotional campaign, ads, and press releases may have some cost attached to it.

Second, what kind of products do you sell? The answer is critical, because online shoppers are reluctant to buy products such as home appliances etc. What's selling well is really important. Remember, it takes time for people to adopt to new technology and modes of transactions. Many people remain reluctant to give out their credit card numbers over the Internet. But most analysts project healthy growth for online sales, especially as security issues are addressed.

If you've spent any time online, you've undoubtedly seen advertisements plastered all over the Web. Companies large and small pay for ad banners and links to their websites from other companies' websites.

What determines which sites attract advertisers? Sites whose audience demographics match those of the advertiser's customer base. For instance, if your company sells telecommunication services to businesses, you want to pitch your message to executives who making decisions in that area. The more targeted your audience is, the higher rate your site commands. Few sites can survive from advertising revenue alone. The amount of money spent by companies to advertise online palls in comparison to what is spent in media outlets like radio, TV and magazines.