Whats wrong? Whats next?

[Dimitry]

Well,
Ive been in business since August 2003 and was able to aquire... 2 clients.

One of which left this week due to new plans being introduced last months (guess he didnt like them).

Ive done some bad advertising in the past and spend good amount of money toward that which brought no return.

I guess what Im getting at is, Whats wrong?

This summer Im going to start advertising on a local websites (Local newspaper's site. In the Business section specifically).

Im really hoping that that will bring SOME return. I don't know what to do if it does not.

I don't know the legal way to shut down the company, which what Ive been lately thinking about (and how it will affect my credit history if at all). Hosting is what I enjoy doing, but Im just not getting a chance at it (other than working for other hosts)

Please, throw any suggestions or words of wisdom at me.

Thanks
Dimitry

[Rincewind]

Marketing take <b>allot</b> more than just advertising. You need to work out a complete marketing strategy form how to get visitors to the site, through how to sell to the visitors once they are there, and on to how to make sure that they actually place that order and don't just leave.

If you already have traffic comming into your site then do some carefull ananysis of your stats. Maybe set up some additional trackers too. Try to find out which parts of your site people are visiting most> What pages are not getting read at all? How many start placing an order and then give up? Are they just hitting the front page and leaving? Where are they comming in form? What sort of person are they? Do they understand the product? Do they understand the order process? Try and find potencial problems and sort them out.

Also, before paying for advertising. Make sure you have exhausted all possilbe routes of free promotion. Many firms both big and small get into the news and papers regularly without paying a penny. The simply engineer things so that they become a news worthy story. Thus free collumn space in the papers and usually in a better possition than you could have paid for. There are many other low cost ways to promote a business. Just think creativly. One firm I worked for was under the local airport flight path. So they painted the company name onto the roof of the building. +6 million people a year would have seen that add, and all for the cost of a tin of paint.

[Toolz]

One of which left this week...
Perhaps the successful companies would say "one of whom..."! :)
I'm not having a go Dimitry I hope it works out. I can't see any problems closing the company though. It's the ones that don't close while they still have a choice that get in trouble as far as I can fathom...

[Dimitry]

Sorry about the typo. You have to consider two factors:
1. Im not a native English speaker
2. It was 2am :p

Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah, lately Ive been thinking my plans through and not just rushing with some forum to advertise.

You bring out some good points in terms of analysing traffic. Ill get right on that.

Thanks again!
Dimitry

[dynamicnet]

Greetings:

Have you considered social networking at business clubs and locak business events through a chamber of commerce?

Thank you.

[Dimitry]

Yes,
Personally, I dont know how I would fit in because Im 18. I figured Id be the youngest business owner there (chamber of commerce).

But it's definatly in my head.
Dimitry

[Rincewind]

Don't worry about being young. When I started out my bank manager told me that most business starters are 30 years old. After talking to business owners, what I found is actually the case, is that business owners spent 10 years after college do a job they hated before getting the courage to do things themself.

There will be many organisations that will be able to assist you building your bussiness. Asside form Cambers of Commerce, there may be local Enterprise agencies. In the UK there is the Princes Trust who spciallise in helping young people set up in business. There may be a similar organisation near you.

[Intek]

You need a marketing strategy. As the gentleman said. You need to work out what age group of people come to your site, Were they came from (most live chat programs and such offer a to let you see where your visitor came from). What areas of your company most people are interusted in. Then advertise that sector as much as you can with what ever budget you can afford. My business hasnt even been launched yet and i am still working on my marketing strategy. I wish you the best of luck, And hope things work out.

[Rincewind]

My business hasnt even been launched yet and i am still working on my marketing strategy.
My business has been going for years and I'm still working on the marketing strategy. It's something that need constant attention.

[beley]

If you JUST build it... they will NOT come.

Just because you build a site and offer a service, doesn't mean anyone will ever see it. Unless you find a way to drive substantial traffic to your site (to get potential customers there) or go get the customers by cold-calling or other direct methods, you'll never get any sales.

[Tazd9t9]

Whats your site like could that be putting people off. I didnt see a URL in your post so i couldnt have a look.
Ive just relaunched my site with a new design and now I am also trying to get more customers and looking at advertising opportunities - It looks like local really is the best way to go, but don't forget to exhaust fee online opportunities, hosting directories, press releases, interviews etc all of which you can do online for free which give you some publicity.