16 Tips to Successful Business on the Web

Online marketing information can change quickly This article is 14 years and 99 days old, and the facts and opinions contained in it may be out of date.

These just popped to mind – and thought it’d make a good post. Most success on the web is not technical driven – it is still people driven. Here’s some rules I try to live by:

Always pay people on time (preferably immediately upon receiving invoice)
Be honest and transparent
Don’t backbite people
Don’t be afraid to say no
Answer all your e-mail – even if it’s late or a short response
Do things without an ulterior motive (it’s good to do favors)
Overdeliver and underpromise
Manage expectations effectively
Execute, execute, execute
Trust people, and put relationships first
Make introductions
Work with successful people
Never ignore a conversation about you or your company (unless someone is trying the attack hook)
Don’t pass crappy leads
Help people learn, and work with smart people
Have an abundance mentality

Todd Malicoat

More information about Todd Malicoat aka stuntdubl.

Brian Mark

Great post. This list don’t just apply to business on the web, either. They’re great for business in general and life in general.
http://www.hawaiivacationhelp.com Dale

Good pointers to live by indeed. #5 is something that’s a bit harder to do than usual (at least for me). :)
http://www.timlinden.com/blog/ Tim Linden

“4. Don’t be afraid to say no”

I recently learned that one. I had trouble saying no to new clients. But I soon realized that my current clients were starting to suffer because I was trying to do too much at once. Then my own sites started to suffer, and I have since stopped doing client work (programming) and focus on my own site. Since then it has skyrocketed and I’m making more than when I was doing client work =P
http://www.imnotadoctor.com imnotadoctor

17. Do not be afraid to ask question? Miscommunication can be a killer.
http://www.softwareprojects.com MIke Peters – SoftwareProjects

Thumbs up on a great post!

I was looking for the digg button to digg this but didn’t find it would be great lb
http://www.cornwallseo.com/search/ Lyndoman

I think if you see this list and you’re not already doing half of it then wise up.
http://www.jimboykin.com Jimbo Boykin

don’t pass on crappy leads?
hum…you want the ones I’ve been passing on?
http://www.stuntdubl.com Stuntdubl SEO

Hey Jim – that was
14. Don’t PASS crappy leads
-meaning, don’t send bum leads to your friends (only the good ones:)

Dale, I agree – it’s very hard to answer all mail sometimes.

Brian, yea a lot of these can be used for life in general as well I think.
http://www.97thfloor.com 97th Floor

Learning to turn away business was the best decesion I have made with my business. There are so many companies that will suck you dry.
http://www.metapilot.com METAPILOT

Nice list. Thanks
http://lkm696.blogspot.com superk

I particularly like #4 and #7. The latter is a great way to get your clients happy :)
http://workwithoutboss.blogspot.com Alex

Always ignored basic principles to make business the right way. Unforgettable post. Thanks.
http://www.runesofavalon.com Roman Budzowski

#15 is the best in my opinion. The rest can be derived from this one. That’s my personal experience :D
http://www.topranksearch.com British Chap

Get a contract or agreement together – but first of all don’t sound like an arrogant fool………
http://www.dmitrimarkine.com Dmitri

People need to use #7 more. A lot of business loose clients because they promise too much. I for one,will never come back/use someone who promises gold mines but delivers copper jugs…