'If you don't get your business online now,
you'll be out of business':
Internet ScamBusters #7
We've found a scam-related Web site we think you'll find interesting.
This Web site is published by the SEC (US Securities and Exchange Commission). It's about how to protect yourself against investor fraud online. General information (including some specific scams) can be found at: http://www.sec.gov/consumer/cyberfr.htm
Information on how to complain or ask questions about investor fraud can be found at: http://www.sec.gov/consumer/seefraud.htm
SCAM:
"If You Don't Get On The Internet Right Now,
You'll Soon Be Out Of Business"
A lot of the Internet "gurus" claim that if you don't get on the Internet today, you won't be able to keep up with the competition and you'll be out of business tomorrow. Some of these experts give you until next week. Others are more nebulous and give you until the "very near future."
These Internet experts use fear tactics that are completely ridiculous. They say that unless you get on the Internet now, you'll be left in the dust.
That's all hogwash! But these fear tactics *do* succeed in scaring a lot of business owners.
(There are a few exceptions, such as some high technology businesses and publishing companies who specialize in specific niche markets. For example, computer hardware and software companies really should be on the Net.)
This is probably obvious, but your business success or failure is determined by many other factors besides whether or not you're on the Internet. Factors such as: your ability to satisfy and exceed the expectations of your customers, your marketing, the quality of your products and services, etc.
OK, so here's the real determining factor: If you don't have a high quality product or service, don't get on the Internet in the first place! You will not succeed. The Internet has a lot of the characteristics of a small town, and bad news travels very fast. You can ruin your reputation very quickly on the Internet. (For example, Intel Corp. lost several hundred million dollars ignoring this fact not too long ago!)
However, if you have high quality products and services, you can most likely make -- and save -- a lot of money on the Internet, but only if you do it right. If you don't take the time to learn the nuances of Internet culture, or if you don't take the time to learn how to use the Internet to achieve your goals, this is one of the fastest ways to lose a lot of money.
For the vast majority of businesses, getting on the Internet now can give you a competitive advantage. Since many companies are not yet on the Internet, you will gain valuable experience, new customers, and become a market leader before most of your competitors know what hit them.
But possibly the most exciting aspect of the Internet is that almost none of the companies who are using the Internet today are using it to its maximum potential. In fact, most companies today haven't a clue how to *really* use the Internet to achieve truly the results they desire.
So, there are tremendous opportunities for entrepreneurs who have the vision and understanding to do the right things and to do things right.