Strategic Plan to Start an Internet Business

Below are the steps to start an internet business. There are two possibilities/scenarios to start an internet business

1. If a person has already got an offline business for him/her this would be like extending business online . (online presence)

2. If a person has no offline business, and probably looking for a one to start,

I have sprinkled my own ideas or strategic plan to start their internet business, which would help in both the cases/scenarios.

Please take a look at the below steps and let me know your suggestions/comments.

Internet business Objective and Analysis:

• Analysis of Offline Business model/Analysis of Internet business model
• Defining New Internet business Objectives – Redefine offline Goals, Vision and Mission / Defining New Internet business objective - Set new online goals, vision and mission.
• Correlate, Offline Business (if you already have an offline business) and Internet Business model – This has to go hand in hand
• Ebusiness Options Available – Depends on which internet Business model you choose.

Market Analysis:

• Online Product or Service Demand Analysis
• Online Survey and Analysis - Customer Analysis (Probably their preferences)
• Website Competition Analysis
• SWOT Analysis with respect to internet business

Strategic Planning:

• Defining Website Goals
• Marketing your business - Setting up Strategy to build your Unique Selling proposition
• Online Pricing Policy
• How offline promotion and online promotion will influence your business.
• Measuring the success (Deriving the success factors)
• Project Deadlines
• Project Roles
• Team Skills

Pre-Web design Analysis:

• Website Planning (WDLC)
• Schedule Planning
• Domain Name Registration
• Website Hosting plans
• Legal Issues
• Privacy and Trust
• Online Catalog Software (if you want to sell online)
• Web design/Develop software (If you want to develop in-house)
• Content Management Software (if your business requires frequent content updates)
• Online payment conceptualization (if you want to sell online)
• Physical Delivery System ( fulfilment process)
• Overall Cost analysis/Funding

Website Design and development:

• Website Conceptual Design /Prototype
• Basic Content Development/ Content Prototype
• Website Design
• Functionality Development
• Payment gateway software

Internet Marketing:

• Defining Website Promotion Strategy
• Marketing through Search Engine
• Marketing through Email - Affiliate
• Marketing through Affiliate program (Hiring Affiliates) – Affiliate (if you choose for affiliate channels include affiliate software)
• Marketing through Web 2.0 (Social Media Websites)
• Online Branding and advertising
• Blogs and Podcast to market the product
• Offline Marketing to drive traffic online
• Measuring Success – Web Analytics/Log file analysis

Develop a neat marketing strategy which should help you to achieve your objective.

Building Your Customer base and Legal issues:

• Gathering Information
• Returning policy (for ecommerce)
• Planning for Customer Support/ Online Customer Support
  
• Forming business ethics

You should also be interested in the following e-books

The Internet Strategic Plan

How to Write A .com Business Plan: The Internet Entrepreneur's Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Business Plans and Financing Options

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