How To Eliminate Your Competition Without Bloodshed

So how do you eliminate your competition without bloodshed?

You mustcreate a niche for your business. A niche is something that makes your business different from your competitors. To compete with other businesses nowadays (especially online) you need something that nobody else can copy. One of a kind!

First you must know who your competitors are. Is your business the onlyone of its type? I doubt it. If so, it won't be for long. Do you know your exact target audience? If not, you will have to find out this information before creating any kind of niche. Below are two ways to come up with a competition eliminating niche.

1. Just Ask! The first way to come up with a niche is to think like your target audience or customers. Know their exact needs, wants, goals, problems and interests. There're two ways to do this: The first way is toput yourself in their shoes, think like them. The second way is to give them polls and surveys to find out what they're thinking. Pick a niche that none of your competitors are using. If you can't find one that your competitorsaren't using pick one to improve.

2. Just Think! The second way to come up with a niche is to useyour brain power. Ask yourself questions like: How can I set myselfapart from my competition? What could I offer that they can't? Imagineor daydream that your business is on top of all your competitors. Whatniche put your business at the top in your head?

Now, if you keep askingthese questions your mind will eventually start shooting out more ideasthan you can handle. One of those ideas may be the niche you'researching for. Now that you have your niche that's just half the battle. You must testit. Does your niche appeal to your target audience? Will it attractpeople away from your competition? If it does, you're done, until yourcompetition comes up with a better niche.

If your niche doesn't, thanrepeat the process above and test a new niche until it works. If youwant to eliminate your competition and be successful you will use thisprocess several times in your business life.

How To Draw Visitors To Your Web Site By holding online contests.

Holding a contest or sweepstakes can draw a lot of traffic to your Web site. You can announce your site to hundreds of Web sites that list free contests and sweepstakes.

Send out a press releases about your contest or sweepstakes. Ask entrants to your contest or sweepstakes if they would accept offers from your business in the future by e-mail.
The prizes should be something your target audience would need or want.

Try to be as original as possible with the prizes you are offering. Always offer more than one prize, a grand prize and runner-up prizes. Use your products or services to give away as prizes. Make sure your prizes have some value, nothing cheap. Give enough information about all the prizes, so people will be interested in entering.

Make it easy for people to enter your contest or sweeps- takes. I feel the easiest ways online are from an entry form on your Web site or by e-mail.

Capture as much info. as you can when they enter your contest or sweepstakes like: Company Name First/Last Name Street Address City, State, Zip Day/Evening Phone Number E-mail Address Web Site Address Purchasing History Survey Questions Give your contest or sweepstakes a professional look and feel.

Provide an "Official Rules" Web page for your contest or sweepstakes. Include a time period of how long your contest or sweepstakes will be held. Tell visitors how you will deliver the prizes. Include pictures of the prizes on your site. Tell visitors who will judge your contest. Check out other contests and sweepstakes Web sites to get more ideas.

6 Ways To Keep Your Online Customers

1. Stay In Touch

Stay in contact with customers on a regular basis. Offer
them a free e-zine subscription. Ask customers if they want
to be updated by e-mail when you make changes to your
Web site. After every sale follow-up with the customer to
see if they are satisfied with their purchase.


2. Friendly Web Site

Make it easy for your customers to navigate on your Web
site. Have a "FAQ" page on your Web site to explain
anything that might confuse your customers. Ask them to fill
out an electronic survey to find out how make your Web
site more customer friendly.


3. Easy And Free Communication

Make it easy and for your customers to contact you. Offer
as many contact methods as possible. Allow customers
contact you by e-mail. Hyperlink your e-mail address so
customers won't have to type it. Offer toll free numbers for
phone and fax contacts.


4. Teach Your Employees

Make sure employees know and use your customer service
policy. Give your employees bonuses or incentives to practice
excellent customer service. Tell employees to be flexible with
each individual customer, each one has different concerns,
needs and wants.


5. Impress Your Customer

Give your customers more than they expect. Send thank
you gifts to lifetime customers. E-mail them online greeting
cards on holidays or birthdays. Award bonuses or discounts
to customers who make a big purchase.


6. Be Nice

Always be polite to your customers. Use the words Please,
Thank You, and Your Welcome. Be polite to your customers
even if they are being irate with you. Always apologize to
your customers should you make a mistake. Admit your
mistakes quickly and make it up to them in a big way.