Make Money Online But Remain Professional

Those of us who want to make money online, or keep making money online must be sure treat our online business with the same professionalism and respect as any other business. Many of us can easily recount three professional and unfortunately unprofessional business experiences which we have had at some time in the past. Our interaction with these businesses may have been via e-mail, a shopping experience, or a phone conversation. In most instances, the line between whether an experience was professional or unprofessional was extremely subtle, but very significant.

 

Owning and operating an online business usually involves wearing several hats. You can be performing CEO duties at 10:00 a.m., and secretarial duties just ten minutes later. Whatever your capacity at any given moment, it is critical that you maintain your professionalism.

Maintaining a professional decorum is very simple. To this end, I have outlined five points below which every business owner should live by from a professional perspective. Many of them may seem obvious, yet they are often overlooked.

 

 

1. Spell Check

Whether you are writing an email, creating a brochure of your services, adding text to your website, or writing a thank-you card, make sure that you double check your work. Nearly every program you work in will have a ‘spell check’ function. This function was made for you, so take advantage of it.  It will save you the embarrassment of spelling mistakes. These are errors which may very well cost you a future customer.

 

2. Telephone Etiquette

Have you ever called your favorite retail store to hear them answer, “Hello?”  Maybe you have, maybe you have not. One thing that I can tell you is that if you have, I am sure that you just automatically assumed that you had dialed the wrong number.

 

Businesses answer their phone stating their business name. This way there are no questions or doubts.  Unfair or not, some potential customers have a negative preconceived notion about home-based businesses, so let them know from the moment they call that you are a professional organization.  Ensure that your voicemail clearly notes your business name, and directions for leaving a message, or alternate contact information. Furthermore, ensure that you voicemail is never full.  If your business line is also your home line, instruct others in your home how you want call s answered during business hours.  Also, explore the option of getting a smart ring number or a voicemail system with multiple mailboxes.

 

3. Professional Appearance

The most important professional documentation which you can have for your online business is your website. Make sure that your website is clean and easy to follow. A visitor should be able to determine the purpose and theme of your website within the first seven to ten seconds of arriving. You should also ensure that your website does not take too long to load. The internet is full of choices, therefore, customers will not wait around for your website to load. They will go to your competitor's website.

Furthermore, when corresponding with customers via e-mail, make sure that your e-mail address matches that of your website. If your website is www.yourwebsite.com, your e-mail should be This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

 

4. Manners Matter

Smile when you are on the phone.  Say please and thank you.  Treat each and every phone call and email with this kind of care, and you will surely see repeat customers and referrals.  Let customers know you appreciate their patronage.  A sincere “thank you for your business” will go a surprisingly long way.  Dealing with a home-based business is often a new experience for customers.  Show them your level of professionalism by keeping your manners in check.

 

 

5. Know Your Business Inside and Out

 

It is most unprofessional when the owner of a company does not know the answer to a question about their business.  When someone asks for a quote, they are expecting an answer of how much your business will charge to provide them with a service.  The last thing that potential customers want to hear is that you are just redoing your pricing and/or you have never done this before. Remember that you are the professional.  Professionals give clear answers to the inquiries which they receive about their service offerings, pricing, policies, etc. You need to do this as well.

 

Just keep in mind that to make money online, you will incur a lot of work, and perhaps some resistance from customers who may be more accustomed to dealing with larger, potentially more established traditional businesses. Therefore, your professionalism can go a long way to give you the advantage, and give customers to confidence in hiring your services, or purchasing your products.

 

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