December 1^st, 2005: Setting up a one line store!!!. The concept is fast gaining and as per recent estimates, on line trading has registered 270% growth in last 2 years.  As per the report, this trade is going to grow at least 20 times in next 5 years. Why not cash in boom now. This is cheapest way to set up the store with minimal investments. Though on line frauds still continue, generally acceptance level in public for on line purchases is picking up.

Here are some common mistakes that are made while setting up on line business. These mistakes can quickly spell the end of your online store.

1. Not advertising. Many e-tailers expect customers to find them by accident. But with millions of Web sites competing for a finite number of customers, this gets less and less likely with each passing day. If you don't advertise your store, your chances of attracting new customers are slim.

The good news is that you don't have to spend a lot of money to advertise your store effectively. Targeted e-newsletter and keyword ads are cost-effective ways of reaching customers who are already interested in your products.

2. A sloppy Web site. If your store looks like it was thrown together and is difficult to navigate, customers will look elsewhere. Your Web site is your link to customers; as such, it should look as professional as you can make it. It will inspire confidence in your users and let them know you take your business seriously.

Even if you are not a Web design expert, you can use templates to build a sleek, simple site. Invest the time to make your site the best it can be. The reward will be a professional site that is appealing to consumers.

3. Not optimizing your site for search engines. It's been estimated that as much as 70 percent of all online purchases start with a Web search at one of the major search engines. If your site doesn't appear within the first couple of pages of search results, you can say goodbye to that 70 percent of sales. Make sure your content reflects your product offerings, and is rich in relevant keywords.

4. Poor customer service. If you can't keep your existing customers happy, you can forget about attracting new ones. Word travels quickly on the Internet, and it only takes one unhappy customer to start a snowball effect that can ruin your company.

This also applies to stores that don't post their contact information prominently on their site. This can give customers the impression that there's nowhere for them to turn if they have a problem, which can lead to a loss of sales. You don't need to offer round-the-clock phone support -- just post an email address and let your customers know how long it will take you to respond.

5. A stale site. If you have not updated your site in the last six months, you run the risk of looking like a dead company. Even if you only add new updates on your products, more information, or restructure your site a little, it gives the impression that you are still there and interested in your company.

And just like in the offline world, you need to conduct market research and competitive assessment. Find out what your competitors are offering that you are not, or if they are beating your prices.

These five key mistakes can mean the difference between success and utter failure. Just because you have a Web site does not mean your work is done. Selling online requires commitment, just as running a brick-and-mortar store does. If you get complacent, there's no shortage of competitors waiting to siphon off your customers.

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