The cyber-graveyards are filling faster than graves can be "cyber-dug." Just the other day I received an email from a dot com announcing its death that only last month was throwing around money like there was no tomorrow.
Apparently there wasn't.
I read about another dot com that went through $22 million and only stayed online for 46 days before shutting down.
They ran out of funding.
Another dot com is cutting services and changing agreements with their affiliates in an effort to avoid the dreaded but all too common Dead Dot Com Syndrome (DDCS).
So, how can your dot com avoid the dreaded DDCS? Here are some ideas:
1) Build a solid foundation. Some dot coms failed because they rushed an undergrown idea online, fueled by funding that was being thrown to almost every dot com around.
Research your idea for a dot com, test it, get some opinions and do a great deal of planning before launching.
If you've worked to build a solid foundation for your dot com, you'll find the weaknesses before you launch and can work to strengthen them.
Or abandon the idea and move to something else. But at least you've avoided the dead dot com graveyard.
2) Start small and build. Some dot com failures have been a matter of "too much too soon." Given huge start-up funding, over-building the dot com can occur and lead to problems that can't be solved.
Yes, too much success too soon can be fatal! It's much better to start small and expand gradually than to start huge and have to cutback.
3) Don't bet the house and life savings on your dot com idea. Frankly, I haven't seen a venture yet that was worth my house and life savings.
Particularly with this current bout of DDCS, start tastefully but economically, with plans for a profit in a reasonable period.
Make sure you can afford to put a large part of the profits back into the dot com to fuel steady growth. But don't hock the jewelry just to get started!
4) Don't be afraid to ask for help. I don't know where I'd be if not for all the friends online who have helped me through the years.
There's plenty to learn about having an online business, and the way the Internet moves, information is outdated before it's published in traditional forms.
So many times the best help you can get is an email away. Join ezines, discussions groups, etc. for the purpose of getting to know folks that might be able to help you.
But remember that it's a two way street. You can help as well.I enjoy getting emails from folks who have questions. Send me one right now at: mailto:cyberagora@cyberagora.com
5) Be fluid and multiply! The Internet moves so quickly that changes have to be made constantly just to try to keep up. Be able to make changes quickly to keep your dot com dynamic.
A dinosaur dot com will be relegated to the dead dot com graveyard. But if you can change when change is needed, then you will be able to not only survive, but also to prosper!
Don't let the epidemic of DDCS discourage you from doing business online. Instead, use these ways to build that dot com that succeeds!
I'll be rooting for you!!
Click Here to Email Bob Smith
