Top Characteristics of Successful Online Stores.

Running an online stores that sells the same things actually stores are can be quite challenging. Some people do not trust the internet or buying items online so they refer to the old fashioned stores, this could be a problem for the entrepreneur and the business could become bankrupt. A successful online store has specific qualities or characteristics ,Like:

1. Ease of Navigation -->  The entrepreneur should make the website easy to deal with so that the costumer could find what they are looking for easily. The entrepreneur should minimize the amount of distractions on their website.

2.Minimal Design -->  The website should not be too loud. It should be simple so that the costumer could access and buy what they want.

3.Easy Checkout -->  Successful online stores make the checkout pleasant and easy by keeping the steps simple, but also by capturing the essential information in a succinct fashion.

4.Product showcase and promotion -->  There should be promotion and sales to keep the costumer coming back and purchasing more items. Product showcase can make the costumer notice an item they weren't planning on buying but were impressed by it so they end up purchasing it.

5.Accurate Product Descriptions -->  it’s important to be as descriptive and accurate as possible so the costumer feels comfortable making their purchase. Successful sites take the extra steps to provide high definition images and accurate product descriptions. Accurate descriptions also limit the number of returns and dissatisfied customers.

The Mission Statement

A mission statement is  an attempt to condense the central purpose of a business's existence into one short paragraph. They are important for a business because it lets the consumer know what the business is and what it does. It is not concerned with specific goal but tries to sum up the aims of the business in an appealing way.

Ameren

Mission Statement:Ameren's mission is to generate electricity, deliver electricity and distribute natural gas in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally sound manner. Our vision is to be the recognized performance leader of the U.S. electric and gas utility industry. Being a performance leader means we will achieve operational excellence, industry-leading customer satisfaction and superior financial performance. 

This mission statement is very clear about its objectives,it certainly only applies to electricity companies.  It informs us what this business is about in a way that we can not argue with or analyze. It also provides a clear vision statement with far fetched goals but in an indefinite time. 
 

Microsoft

Mission Statement:At Microsoft, we work to help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential. This is our mission. Everything we do reflects this mission and the values that make it possible

Microsoft's mission statement  is unrealistic ,it also applies to any business with an unclear statement. It does not tell the consumer what the business is about and it could be easily disagreed with. It does not provide a vision statement or any details,for that matter. 

The Walt Disney Company 

Mission Statement:The mission of The Walt Disney Company is to be one of the world's leading producers and providers of entertainment and information. Using our portfolio of brands to differentiate our content, services and consumer products, we seek to develop the most creative, innovative and profitable entertainment experiences and related products in the world.

 This mission statement is not time defined or realistic. It does not provide details on what it does nor does it provide any vision of the future. It could be analyzed.

How does an entrepreneur decide what structure of company he should start with e.g. partnership/ sole trade etc?

When starting a business,an entrepreneur is faced with an options whether to have a partner in the business or handle the business alone. Your decision could affect your liability, paperwork your company has to do and  your ability to make money.

There are different types of business entities like Sole trade which is complete responsibility over the company and the person has limited liability. You are also responsible for all the money you make. A partnership , however,  is when two or more people agree to share responsibility and money over the company. They plan what each person is accounted for and that person is responsible for that. The problem is, if that one person made a mistake,he could bring down the entire company. A corporation is legally separated from the people who founded it,they hire people to take care of it. A hybrid form of partnership, the limited liability company (LLC) , is gaining in popularity because it allows owners to take advantage of the benefits of both the corporation and partnership forms of business.

In order for an entrepreneur to decide the structure of his business,he must way the pros and cons for each option and calculate his every move. If he choose to go with a partnership,he must make sure that he trusts those who will share the business with him.



http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/38822

Marketing your own business.

Starting up a business can be risky, There is always a huge possibility that it will fail. As the famous saying goes " You must spend money to make money" ,That is precisely what entrepreneurs should do. One of the main things that could help a business become recognized and successful is to promote it.

 According to Michael Masterson, the editor of Early to Rise , business doesn't happen until you have made your first sale. The best way to establish itself in the market is to offer a popular product at a much lower price to compete with the old and more experienced businesses. It is important to select a business that would go on without you having to constantly supervise. Before starting a business,one must research about it and know how much money they are willing to incest and lose in this. 


The Brand image must represent the business accurately so people would not be confused as to when this business is about or what it does. The major thing to do to promote tour business is to place advertisements where people would notice them, whether its by TV,Magazines or billboard ads. When advertising, it is important to be clear about what this business is to avoid any confusion,you must deliver a clear message to the audience. Free gifts is also a way to promote our business and to get the costumer to come back after they have tried your product and want more of it or are curious about the other things you produce.

Having contacts in the market would definitely be a plus  to your business. When starting out, you should do some free charity work or some low cost deals to spread your name.Later on,more clients will come pouring in. Last but not less in importance,is every business should be listed in the business directories or yellow pages so they could be easily found by clients.




 http://www.sitepoint.com/business-8-steps-success/

http://make-your-marketing-work.blogspot.com/2007/05/how-to-make-yourbusiness-work.html