Build your Web site - Web site development - Internet/Web/Online Service Information

Home Office Computing, June, 1997

7. RETAIL SALES Name any product and you can probably find it on the Internet. Regional favorites have become worldwide specialties via the Web, notes Cook. Whether you make hot salsas or beaver chew lamps, produce maple syrup, or grow organic peanuts, you can sell on the Internet. And you can broaden your site's appeal by including products made by other local entrepreneurs. Best of all, you can keep your day job and fill orders evenings and weekends. If you're already in the business of selling products, the Web offers you a new channel to reach a worldwide market at a fraction of your normal overhead costs. Examples: www.crackandpeel.com, www.alfredogourmet.com/salsa.html

8. COLLECTORS' SITE Are you a collector of Louis XV armchairs, rare birds, or seamen's Valentines? Our experts agree that you could turn your hobby into a Web business that lets you communicate with fellow enthusiasts while earning a profit. The more information you include, such as news and insightful articles, the more visitors will return to your site. You can also increase the traffic to your site by including selections from other collectors. The profit comes from selling items in your collection or from fees you charge other collectors who sell items at your site. Gathering information about your visitors will give you statistics for selling space to advertisers looking to reach this select group. Examples: www.vivianalexander.com/egg_history.html, www.seekerglass.com

9. PARENTS' RESOURCE Most parents want and need all the help they can find in raising healthy, happy children. For that reason several of our experts weren't surprised at the big success of Web sites that provide parental advice. Although you'll come up against stiff competition if you try to implement a national site, a local parents' Web site would probably get a warm reception if you're a family counselor, teacher, nurse, or psychologist. Offer tips, research, and community news. You can even provide a place for parents to chat and share experiences--for a subscription fee. Your main source of revenue comes when visitors look to you for counseling or arbitration services. Examples: parent.net, www.crc.ricoh.com/people/steve/parents.html, www.parentingteens.com/price.html

10. ART GALLERY Because the Internet is such a visual medium, art displays well on the Web. Keep in mind however, that running a successful online art gallery takes many of the same skills that you need to succeed in the cutthroat art world. You can scan in pictures of your inventory and allow shoppers to click on an image to get more information and pricing. By offering news about the local art scene or tips for buying and preserving art, you increase your traffic and potential customers. As with the traditional storefront gallery, the art can be your own or you can. represent as many artists as your time and commitment allow. You make a fee on each item sold. In addition, Janal notes that desktop publishing makes it simple to create a clip art gallery that could have as big an audience as a fine arts gallery. Examples: www.sun-scape.com/gallery.htm, www.frontiernet.net/~artspace/alt.artSpace.ns/alt.artSpace.html, www.franklin-art.com