Top 10 Basic Technologies for Affiliate Businesses

Posted on August 2, 2009
Filed Under Online BusinessPromotion and Marketing | Leave a Comment

Technology is a critical success factor for any internet marketing business, but frequently people just starting out don’t have a very good understanding of what kind of technology is required or how it will affect their businesses.

The following ten tips should help you get off to a good start.

Whenever possible, try to institute processes and systems that work together easily and are available 100% of the time to support customers and prospects. Create an “automated money machine” that is backed by an excellent technical support team, to make your life simple and your checking account healthy.

Data & Systems Security – You’ll also want good security for your systems and data. This can take the form of physical security, plus programs such as firewalls, and security programs like McAfee or Norton.
Computer & Printer – If do internet marketing (IM), you’ll need a computer – preferably one that you own, either a desktop model or a laptop. You’ll need one with plenty of memory and speed. A broadband internet connection is preferred over dial-up. You’ll also need a printer. Get wireless capabilities for both
Your Own Domain Name – You’ll want a domain name that you own, so that you can begin to create your own brand. Further, some advertising media will not allow you to refer to an affiliate website, but only a domain that you own. A superior domain name will be short (30 characters or less), meaningful to the eye and the ear, and directly related of your product or service. The preferred names end in “.com” and such names are preferred for most internet marketing businesses, if available.
Web Hosting Service – You’ll need a hosting service to provide a “home” for your website. There are many web hosting companies available to meet the needs of home businesses and internet marketers. Their services do differ, as do their costs, so be sure to shop around before making your decision.
Affiliate Program Network – If you’re planning to sell numerous affiliate products, you’ll almost certainly also want to join one or more Affilate Program Networks (APNs), such as ClickBank, Commission Junction, or LinkShare, etc. to handle your commissions, sales statistics, and other back office functions for you.
Products – You’ll need one or more products to sell – products that you have developed yourself, or ones that have been created by other people. If you create your own products, then you’ll also have to worry about maintaining appropriate inventories, performing upgrades, handling returns, etc. If you get your products from others, then you’ll have to worry about supply relationship management, ensuring that required products get shipped on time, customers are satisfied and that you get properly paid.
Technical Support – A commonly overlooked requirement – is the need for first-rate technical support – for both your local hardware and software, but even more importantly, for any of your customer-facing websites and product systems.
Data & Systems Backup/Restore Capability – Another necessity is for backup of your locally stored programs and data. Regardless of the best security programs you might be able to implement, there will probably come a time when you suffer some sort of a system crash, with either partial or complete loss of data and key programs. Consequently you will also need a rigorous backup and restore capability.
Web 2.0 Capabilities – The internet is constantly changing, so if you want to be successful in today’s environment, you’ll want sites and services that allow blogging and social communities (i.e., ones that use Web 2.0 to facilitate a whole host of collaboration, interaction and participation, using the web as the network platform).
Telecommunications – Another essential tool is telecommunications, including an Internet Service Provider and a telephone – either land-line, cellular, or VOIP, with or without headset. It should have both local and long distance features, and if you plan to hold conferences for your downline, the ability to handle conference calls. If you’re going to do teleseminars, etc., you’ll probably want to invest in a teleconferencing service that can handle many, perhaps hundreds or even a thousand, callers at the same time.

If your customer-facing systems go down and you are not able to get swift technical support from any/all your vendors, the resulting downtime can effect your advertising and marketing campaigns, you can lose or upset potential customers, and ultimately, your bottom line will suffer (and your brand, as well).

Technology is the lifeblood of an online business, and Murphy’s Law being what it is, you ought to prepare for the eventual breakdowns and system crashes that come about as well. Implementing all these basic technologies will ensure the success of your online business.