“ad:tech is an interactive advertising and technology conference dedicated to connecting all sides of today’s brand marketing landscape. Worldwide shows blend keynote speakers, topic driven panels and interactive workshops to provide attendees with the tools and techniques they need to compete in a changing world.”

I’ve heard great things about last year’s ad:tech, so I decided to check it out. Being so close to NYC, and scoring a free pass from one of my affiliate managers, it was a no-brainer. I was initially going to just drive to the show, but then I started thinking about Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and I didn’t want some crazy parking attendants joyriding my Porsche through New York City. So instead I took the train into the city..

ad:tech now spans 4 days, but with my hectic schedule, I was only able to go up for one day. Most people will need at least two days to visit with all of the exhibitors, as this is truly a monstrous event! I know the planners chose the Hilton because of it’s location and everything, but in my opinion, it was a bad call. Everyone was packed in like sardines (it was sometimes challenging just to walk through some of the jam-packed hallways), and the layout of the show was absolutely confusing, with 4 or 5 seperate exhibitor areas spanning multiple floors. They could have avoided this if they had held it at a different venue that could accomodate such a large group (like the Jacob Javits Convention Center).

That said, I thought it was a great event overall. I wish I could have stayed for the Money Makers Party at Pasha, but an emergency back home caused me to cut my trip prematurely short. This was my first industry event, but it definitely won’t be my last – I’m already signed up for Affiliate Summit West in Las Vegas, and I can only imagine what the parties out there will be like!

If you’re not familiar with SCORE, you should definitely check out their website. SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Founded in 1964, SCORE has 389 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, with 10,500 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors.

Some recent advice from SCORE newsletters that might be helpful:

Q: What are some key considerations for sustaining and growing an online business?

1. Watch Your Growth. Sometimes, small companies grow too fast. It’s best to have a measured growth plan.

2. Keep Upgrading in Mind. Always think about how you will upgrade your site, because it is something you will need to do as you grow.

3. Invest in Customer Service. This is key for any business.

4. Think about Next Steps. Do you have an exit strategy? Should you partner with other more popular Web sites? These types of things should always be on the minds of e-tailers.

Q: What are some common misperceptions or mistakes that aspiring online entrepreneurs make?

A: Some e-tailers may start their businesses with shoddy business plans and the idea that they can “get rich quick,” since the Internet is so popular these days. But these entrepreneurs are most likely the ones who will crash and burn. To avoid this scenario, use good balance-sheet math; have a revenue model, a clearly-defined exit strategy, and good communication with stakeholders; sell merchandise at the right price; understand the industry you are in; and perhaps most importantly, leave your ego at the door.

Q: How important is it for new business owners to work with a mentor like SCORE as they launch and manage an online business?

A: This is very important. SCORE offers what e-tailers need most – expert business counseling and advice from entrepreneurs who have been there in the trenches. SCORE’s Web site also offers many cool entrepreneurial tools to set the foundation for business success.

Q: Obviously, the future for e-tailing is very bright. What trends should owners be watching?

A: The Internet is really a global phenomenon. E-tailers should keep track of their customers and see how many hits are coming from overseas consumers or businesses. If it’s a substantial number, they should consider targeting these folks more directly, or perhaps launching a Web site in another language.

Q: What is the most important piece of practical advice you would give to someone interested in starting an online business?

A: Think of an online business as any business. Write a good business plan, grow methodically, and keep customers happy. Online retailing is a growing area and offers many great opportunities for hard-working, creative entrepreneurs. There is nothing stopping entrepreneurs of any age to test the online waters.

If you do any kind of online marketing, you should know one of the most important rules of online business. The money is in the list. What does this mean? When you get customers, you need to get their contact details. These contact details, when made available, let you directly market to people who have visited your site and shown interest in your product. However, with the new CAN-SPAM act in full effect, you’re often better off letting professional services handle email marketing for you. Enter Constant Contact.

With Constant Contact you can promote your products and services easily and quickly to people who sign up for your mailing list. Constant Contact offers great looking templates and a free 60 day trial of their service. I’ve been using them for years, and I’ve been thrilled with the results!

My previous post outlined how to building a website. But if you’re building an actual e-commerce site, there are a few more things that you’ll need in order to get started.

1) Get A Dedicated Phone Line

Even though it’s a web-based business, there are still many people out there who don’t feel 100% comfortable placing orders online. Prominently display your phone number on each page of your site, so that if a visitor has a question or concern, they can easily reach you. You should have a dedicated phone number just for this purpose, and get in the habit of answering this phone with a professional business greeting. (eg. “Thank you for calling ABC Widgets. This is Dan, how can I help you today?”)

If you’re on a budget, I’d suggest going with a VOIP (voice over IP) solution, which offers a LOT of additional features, at a much cheaper montly price. I use Vonage, and I get unlimited local and long-distance calls for just $24.99 a month. I was previously paying $86 a month for similar features from my local provider!! (If you want to give it a try, shoot me an e-mail and I’ll send you a link good for a free month!)

Another option is to use a service like GotVMail. With GotVMail, your small business can sound more professional and streamline its communications by creating a virtual office that connects callers to employees wherever they are, on any type of phone – home, office, VoIP, or mobile – without any equipment to purchase or maintain. GotVMail combines a unique toll free or local number with a host of advanced features. It functions as a virtual attendant, hosted PBX system, and sales and marketing tool allowing your small business to always sound its best. It also allows you to better manage voicemails and faxes with message delivery – listen to voicemails and view faxes right on your computer.

2) Get a Merchant Account

You need to get a merchant account in order to accept credit cards. This is a very shady industry, and if you aren’t careful, you’ll find yourself stuck in a long-term contract with a lousy plan that costs too much. You’re used to seeing credit card machines when you go to regular stores, but as an online business, you don’t need one. Yet they’ll try to convince you that you need to lease a machine, at “ONLY” $45-60 a month. An unbreakable lease. Forget that, find a provider that lets you run credit cards over an internet gateway (web interface), and save $540-720 a year!

Merchant Equipment Store is one of the largest merchant equipment and service providers in the country. Over the past four years, they have maintained a flawless rating with the BBB, having received not a single customer complaint! They scan the marketplace constantly to ensure they’re providing our customers with great service and equipment at consistently low prices. And with Merchant Equipment Store, you wont find any startup or hidden fees on merchant account set-ups.

In addition, you should sign up for a PayPal Business or Premier account. Many people still don’t feel safe giving out their credit card information, but are willing to pay using their PayPal account. It also gives the customer some options – They can pay using their PayPal balance, with funds in their bank account, or using a credit card. It costs you nothing, so start accepting PayPal payments today!

Hopefully this should help get you started on your new e-commerce site. As always, if you have any questions, just leave me a comment and I’ll be sure to respond to you as soon as possible.

So you’ve decided to setup your own website, hoping to become the next Amazon.com? That’s great! I also started out this way, and my business has really taken off. Hopefully I can help you avoid some of the mistakes I made along the way, and become profitable that much quicker.

1) Registering a Domain Name

This step should not be taken lightly – A good domain name is worth it’s weight in gold, and will be paramount in the success of your site. When you’re ready to register your name, you’ve got to lock it in with an ICANN-accredited domain name registrar. GoDaddy is the Number 1 registrar in the world, and I’ve got dozens of domains registered with them. At $8.95/yr for a domain name, it’s a great deal too!

Another registrar worth considering is Network Solutions. They’re been in the domain name game since the beginning. You often hear horror stories of domains being held hostage by registrar companies that have gone belly-up. With Network Solutions, you’ll pay a bit more for your domain name, but you’ll never have to worry about that scenario, as they’re the company that started this whole business!

2) Hosting Your Website

Most people start out with a shared hosting plan. They are low-cost, suit the needs of most growing websites, and are usually scalable to meet your future needs.

If you’re launching a site that’s going to get a ton of traffic or utilize a lot of resources, you’re best off going with a dedicated server. For most people, this will be overkill in the beginning stages, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind for when your site outgrows it’s current host.

Tread carefully here, as not all hosts are created equal. Sometimes it’s worth spending a few extra dollars a month to get RELIABLE service. I’ve been through a number of hosts over the years, and it’s been a real nightmare at times.. Below are a few hosts that I would suggest without hesitation:

3) Building Your Website

You’ve got the name, and you’ve got the server space. Now comes the hard part – Actually create the website. Unless you’re a web designer, this step is probably best left to a professional. But if you search out a web design company, you’ll usually end up with a quote in the $5000-$10000 range. This isn’t rocket science, it’s HTML and graphic design. There are plenty of freelancers that will do an incredible job for a LOT less. Check out the Sitepoint Marketplace, where you can find some of the web’s most talented developers! You could also try Elance, although I don’t have any personal experience with them.

During this step, you’ll need to decide which eCommerce platform you’re going to use. Don’t be afraid to ask questions on the forum, these people know what it’s like to get started, and are there to help.

Hopefully this helps you get started in building your first website. If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I’ll be happy to help.

You probably already have a rough idea of the type of legal structure your business will take, whether you know it or not. That’s because, in large part, the ownership structure that’s right for your business (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation) depends on how many people will own the business and what type of services or products it will provide, things you’ve undoubtedly thought about quite a bit.

In my opinion, an LLC is the way to go – Less paperwork, easier to deal with come tax time, yet you still shield yourself from liability in most cases. But I’d advise you to speak to your accountant and/or business attorney before making a decision. There is also plenty of information out there, both in print and on the Net, to help you make the right choice. Most people think that they’ve got to go to a lawyer and spend upwards of $1000 to get setup, and that’s just not true.

Some books I’d recommend picking up: