If you don't automate your online business, you're really missing the key benefit of the Internet...

The secret behind many successful Internet businesses is that the computer does most of the work. Once the business is set up, it should be able to run itself because you will have done the hard work already - the bulk of the work from then on will only be repetitive tasks which just take up your time.

Why spend your time worrying about data input, billing, emailing standard responses, following up sales...the list goes on.

How much can you automate? Well, quite a lot, is the simple if not a little vague answer.

1. When someone registers on your site, their details can be added automatically to your database. Then a pre-determined welcome email can be sent out immediately.
2. If you run a newsletter, pre-written messages can be emailed out at set time intervals - for example, as an introductory guide or course to new registrants. These utilise a powerful software tool known as an autoresponder.
3. Again, if you publish a newsletter, users can send an email to a specific address (e.g subscribe@internetmarketingproducts.co.uk) and they will be added to your list automatically. And if anyone wants to unsubscribe, they can send an email in a similar way and be deleted without you having to lift a finger.
4. If someone buys your product or service, they fill in the order form themselves and pay online with their credit card. This saves you the worry and hassle of sending out invoices, waiting for payments and chasing up late-payers. And it negates the need to employ staff such as telesales workers and accountants (it's not just about how you make money, but how you save it as well...).
5. When someone buys, you can again have an automated thank you/confirmation message sent out to the customer. This builds the consumer's trust since they are not left in the dark wondering whether their order has been processed or not.
6. Furthermore, the product that they have bought can be entered into your database alongside their details so that you know which product each of your members has opted for. This can be very useful if your product is something which needs replacing regularly i.e. a consumable. Shortly before the next order is due, you can email out to the customer (again automatically) and remind them to buy again from you, perhaps at the same time giving them a special offer. This can ensure that you end up getting that customer's business for life (or at least for a fairly long time).
7. If you run an affiliate program (which you really should do if you have your own products), automation can again be made use of. The user would sign up in a similar way to how someone would register and be added automatically, be sent a welcome email with the necessary instructions., and would have an account set up automatically with their unique URL. Then everytime they referred a buying cutomer to you, you would pay their commissions automatically without the need to mail cheques (or checks).