The most common way to start a small online business is to build a website for describing and promoting it. Once the site goes live, people seem to believe internet search engines will bring them the business they need.

Despite the great deal of time and resources spent for launching the website, the marketing genius must continue to come up with smart ways to keep the site fresh in the consumers minds who are in need of this product or service.

The web site is only the first key marketing tool used to represent your company. The next key is to understand what strategy to use. Gather all the information available. Read, learn and ask questions until you fully understand the best choice for your company.

Whether you are aware or not, according to the way you want to position yourself in relation to your competition, your options are to be the best, the cheapest or the smartest.

1. To be the best.

   You cannot be the best without having one of the best product. Having such an unique product you can use it to build a powerful competitive advantage. Speaking the truth, a product leadership strategy is only for the big boys like Nokia, Sony, Mercedes ...

2. To be the cheapest.

   This is the first option of many small online businesses. Very often this option is only a way to survive. There are two problems here. Number one is that building your business reputation on being the cheapest, you are operating from a position of weakness. Number two is there will always be someone who can do what you do and more cheaply than you can.

3. To be the smartest.

   You need to be smart to understanding any decision, no matter what kind of business it involves. By adding value in a smart way that attracts a particular kind of customer, you can steadily build your business success. The big tip is to clearly identify your niche market, and convince your target market that you provide the best solution to their problem.