In determining what to sell on your website, you have several
options and their variations available to you. You could sell
your own product, or you could sell someone else's product. You
could sell just one product, or you could sell many. Each of
these options has both advantages and disadvantages.
Some of the "experts" say to only sell one product and spend
your time promoting that product. I rather like the old adage
of not putting all your eggs in one basket. My personal
preference would be to sell a line of related products. This
option opens up the perfect senario and justification for
doorway pages to your site. The biggest advantage is that it
keeps the door open to repeat sales from your current customers.
It seems to me that if you only sell one product that you are
limiting the size of your potential audience, as well as the
potential for repeat sales. (unless, of course, you are selling
a consumable product.) If you have a line of products, or even
if you choose some unrelated products, it seems to broaden the
range of your targeted audience. However, I do see where the
"experts" are coming from. You can sell more of a product if
you spend more time promoting it. Their theory, I think is that
you spread yourself too thin when you are promoting many.
If you are selling only one product, it requires that you
continually find new customers. Once your customers have
purchased your product, they are no longer 'prospective'
customers. However, if you have a line of products, then
your established customers become a very valuable asset. If
they are happy with their purchase, they are likely to buy
from you again. And again.
If you have a good product of your own, you have the potential
to make a lot of money. First off, you get the money from the
sale, not just a small commission. Secondly, you could have
your own affiliate program and have others selling your product
for you. However, in this method, you have the headache of
running the show, keeping the books, and all the various
responsibilities that come with fame and riches.
There are numerous affiliate programs out there. You have to be
careful, though. Only associate with those programs that meet
your personal standards. The main advantage to selling someone
else's product is the avoidance of responsibility and severe
headaches. You just do some promoting, sell some products, get
your monthly commission check, and do it all over again.
In making choices about what to do, one must consider what is
right for the individual. This is why I never take seriously
the advise from "experts". Each of us is a very distinct and
unique individual. We are NOT alike. Therefore, what works for
one, will not necessarily work for another. We each have to
find where we fit in and are comfortable and then run with it.
About the Author
Subscribe to windsong's free e-zine:
All About Web Profits!(tm) Send a blank email to:
mailto:AllAboutWebProfits-subscribe@onelist.com
|
