Starting An Online Business - Some Problems To Watch Out For

I just read an interesting article over at Apogee to do with the dangers of starting an online business, and not the usual dangers of cash flow problems, low initial sales that one would expect but instead focuses on the problems of finding someone reliable and competant to set up your initial marketing efforts and concentrates on a few very good points to consider... 

The article is called "How to Spot and Avoid the Predators of Search Engine Marketing Malpractice" and covers the following points:

• Pirates who use questionable and now harmful methods toget site exposure, unfortunately search engines have gotten good at finding and banning sites using this behaviour, but a novie website owner needs to be aware that some scam artists still sell these methods for a quick buck
• "It seems as though 9 out of 8 people claim to be graphic artists", these are the next group to worry about, some kid with  a degree from a college that included absolutely no real skill sets except matching colours. Do not hire one to do anything besides what they are capable of, regardless of what they tell you.
  
• Same goes for Branding companies, they often are good at their specialty but will offer a full service. Often the full service is not factored for returns and the job will be completed but regardless of results. Your ROI could be VERY bad.
• Geeks, technically able people may bedazzle you with their knowledge but most are not trained in marketing and perform poorly when left to their own devices though most work well in a controlled environment

The article then goes on to explain what to watch for, catch phrases that are signs of trouble also a few common practises that are ridiculous from a marketing point of view.

The conclusion of hte article says it all "Oddly enough, the fact that malpractice is an ongoing occurrence in the SEM industry is not because of malicious intent, but more because of oblivious carelessness"

You can read the article in full here SEM Malpractises

You can also read more about Apogee here :  SEO