Electronic Commerce over the Internet is fast emerging as the pathway to a solid business future. Last month we talked about keeping your web site "tuned up" and up to date. Part of keeping a site current is implementing some form of electronic commerce on your web site. Remaining competitive in today's global, interconnected economy means developing new ways of doing business. Your customers, suppliers and prospects expect it. If you don't recognize this, and begin to adapt electronic commerce into your business, you will start to lag behind your competitors in aspects such as reduced administrative costs, better turn-around times, faster distribution and ordering and greater customer satisfaction. You will be like a dinosaur, dying off because you couldn't adapt.

So how do you avoid going the way of the dinosaur? You have to start somewhere, so why not start thinking strategically about your web site. Your web site has to become integrated within your business, and shouldn't be thought of as just a marketing piece. E-commerce is not just about click here and buy. It's about click here to find a suitable employee, click here for the supply chain, click here to find out what your competitor is doing, click here to develop a marketing presentation. Integrate your back-end processes (ordering, shipping, etc) completely with your front-end (customer relations, sales, marketing). You are trying to create a true, functional, electronic business. Remember that with electronic commerce, the solution is in the process, not in the technology itself. You have to be willing to think hard and if necessary, re-design your business processes.

Developing and maintaining an e-commerce web presence beyond a simple web site requires a commitment of time and money (something entrepreneurs must safeguard closely). So, I suggest taking a look at your web site and eliminating stuff that doesn't add value. I'm not saying don't have fun. One of the potential benefits of e-commerce is that it can and should eliminate drudgery and make work fun. But think carefully about what parts of your e-commerce strategy adds value to your company. Does it simplify a process? Reduce Costs? Improve Customer Service? Allow you to close a sale faster or move more products? Add to your product line?

Even if it is not in your strategy or budget to add electronic commerce features to your web site, you should personally be active on the net. Start communicating and making yourself available to your clients' online. I have recently been dealing with a real estate agent. Of course we still met face to face, took a tour of the property, and signed the official documents on paper. However, I was disappointed that I couldn't communicate with him via email, arrange appointments or have him email me property descriptions, etc. There's an industry that has been too slow to adapt to the demands of the consumer! If you are not actively involved, communicating and available online, you are going to miss out on opportunities. If you are not selling, at least try out purchasing online - there are deals to be had! Shop around. You are no longer limited to the supplier around the corner. As an entrepreneur, it's important to be connected and available online.

There are a lot of basic e-commerce catalogue packages and programs that allow you to get started offering a few products online without blowing your budget. (Businesses that don't manage cash flow go the way of the dinosaur too, but I'll save that for another article). Why not try I*Cat catalogue creation software and storefront (http://www.icat.com/ or http://www.icatmall.com/) or if you are using Maximizer as your contact management software, try out their new e-commerce storefront solutions (http://www.multiactive.com). Web developers often have basic "getting started on e-commerce" package that they offer. Shop around yourself, or hire an e-commerce consultant that you trust to recommend a solution for you that is within your budget.

It's important to get started. The world is moving too fast. If you move too slow, you will be a dinosaur.

This article was co-authored by Diane Currie and Anne Louise Currie, the "Cybersisters" and co-founders of Digital Ripple. Digital Ripple offers WebSuccess training programs, WebSuccess coaching, research, writing and strategic web development services. The CyberSisters are heard weekly across North America on the HomeBiz radio program offering entertaining advice about entrepreneurial web strategies. For more information, contact them at (604) 608 1714 or click here