BUILDING AN INTERNET INFORMATION BUSINESS:  The Basic Tools You'll Need for Making Money Online

This is such a perfect time in your life for you to be looking at building an internet information marketing business.  Over the years you've accumulated so much know-how ... and 'know-how-not'.  You've developed hobbies that please you ... and gotten angry over things that don't.  You've learned life's big and little lessons.  And all of that knowledge has real value.  Imagine turning your knowledge into a new income stream!

So, after spending thousands upon thousands learning what works and what doesn't for making money online, we at Plan B Retirement have streamlined the process for you.  Without over-simplifying or over-complicating things.  In fact, these are the tools we've used ourselves.

What You'll Need to Build an Internet Information Business

For a newcomer to get started building an internet information marketing business, you'll need to know four things (Don't panic!  It's not as complicated as it sounds!):

• How to build a website
• How to develop, structure and market your online business
• How to register and host your domain
• How to automate your business with an autoresponder

Step 1: How to Build a Website

Website design software runs the gamut in pricing, from 'free' for programs that give you skeleton sites that are virtually useless ... to expensive, complicated programs that require a PhD in web design to master.  In our eyes, the most critical factor in selecting website design software is how intuitive it is, that is, how easy and logical is it ... and how fast you can learn to master it.  And, of course, it has to be complete.

OUR RECOMMENDATION:  We have fallen in love with the most intuitive, full-featured website design software out there:  XSitePro.  Even if you don't have a clue what these words mean, believe us when we say that this software:

• is easy to use,
• lets you do all the things the search engines are looking for (a key to success in internet business),
• lets you update or make changes to your site whenever you want, without having to wait for a designer to be available,
• has excellent tutorials for first-time users, 
• has excellent free customer support via email ...
• and costs only $197.  One time.  No monthly or yearly fees. 

For more information, click on this link for the very best website development software around. 

Step 2: How to Develop, Structure and Market Your Online Business

There are two ways to develop the backbone of your internet business:  (1) buying dozens of individual little programs from online marketers hawking their hyped-up wares (list builders, keyword analyzers, niche finders, AdSense income boosters, AdWords PPC strategies, search engine optimizers, traffic generators, nifty squeeze page makers ... enough to make your head explode).  And then making them work together?  Another nightmare.  People end up spending thousands, always looking for the last magical piece needed to integrate it all and actually make it work.

Or (2) you can seemingly pay more up front, but own a sane, step-by-step, comprehensive and understandable business-building program.  As you would want for any serious business endeavor. 

OUR RECOMMENDATION:  After buying several different systems, taking part in expensive coaching programs, and investing thousands upon thousands in learning this industry, we highly recommend a program called the 6M Profit Method.  It's designed for newcomers, and covers the full process, soup to nuts.  Clicking on the underlined link will first allow you to download a free 28-minute audio, to hear all about the system.  You'll be glad you did!

This program helps you:

• select your concept or topic, and measure how profitable it can be online,
• decide how to make money with that concept,
• understand the most appropriate methods to market your idea,
• define and communicate your message,
• follow a precise 'Master Action Plan' to get your business going ... and start making money online.

All presented in one complete workbook, with one series of CDs that describe each step and another series of CDs that follow a group of actual users as they go through step-by-step.

The author of the 6M Profit Method, Lisa Diane, enjoys a million-dollar lifestyle and today shares her successful methods with others through her targeted programs and trainings.  In fact, in one session she discussed her 'Master Action Plan' with us that explained why people struggle so hard to achieve the level of online success they desire.  And so often seem to fall short.

"There's a hard way and an easy way to do most things in life," Lisa said.  We think you might want to pick the easy way ...

Step 3: How to Register and Host a Domain

Once you have identified a concept with strong online demand, you'll want to select a domain name (the name of your site, which starts with 'www') and have it housed somewhere (that's called 'hosting').  Where you host it is not a life-and-death decision; it can be moved easily later, if need be. 

OUR RECOMMENDATION:  While there are tons of companies that do this, www.godaddy.com is a great place to start, at a very fair price and with 24/7 live telephone support in the U.S.!   

Step 4: How to Automate Your Business with an Autoresponder

A what???  An autoresponder.  Whether you realize it or not, many of the emails you receive from different companies and people are written in advance and held somewhere, to be sent out automatically on a pre-determined schedule to anyone who is interested in their product or service.  This automatic process is handled by an autoresponder. 

Lots of companies offer autoresponder services, but it's important to select one carefully.  Based on the company's reputation, your emails have a better or worse chance of reaching their destination.  And it's very difficult to change mid-stream.  (I know, it sounds complicated, but it's not, and it's all explained in Lisa Diane's business-building program recommended above.)

OUR RECOMMENDATION:  The autoresponder we use on this website has an excellent reputation for playing by the rules.  Which means no spamming or funny business.  So our business-building emails get through as they should.  Very easy to use, with good tutorials and terrific customer support; its name is 1 Shopping Cart. 

Other Valuable Resources for Making Money

Early To Rise, based in Delray Beach, FL, organizes excellent seminars on the business of marketing information online.  (And its motivating daily newsletter, available at no cost through that link, offers all sorts of "expert advice for successful living".) 

Each year it puts on its Five Days in July and October Info-Marketing Bootcamp seminars, both of which we have attended.  If you're truly interested in investing in a successful internet-based information marketing business, Five Days in July walks you through the process, and you'll walk out five days later with a site and internet business built.  (Sign up for Early to Rise's newsletter so you'll see when the next seminars are announced.)  Early To Rise also offers a comprehensive, hand-holding program called The Internet Money Club which includes one full year of access to the 'masters' in this industry and guarantees the launch of your successful online business.   It's closed for 2008, but we recommend any other programs of theirs that are open.

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