The Web Store College

I recently started a new project and was looking for the perfect domain name. Unfortunately, all of the good ones were taken. At least, all of the dot com extensions were already registered. I did manage to get the dot net extension of a good domain name, but I really wanted the dot com version. So, I did a little research and found that the registration was expiring in about a week. I also found that there was no website at that domain name. Based on these two facts, I figured the current owner might let the registration expire without renewing. I put in a backorder with Go Daddy so that if the name became available they would try to snag it for me. Sure enough, a week later I got an email saying the domain was mine!

I was prepared to make an offer to the owner had he renewed the registration. Don't hesitate to make an offer if you really want the domain. Of course, always use basic negotiation techniques to ensure you get the lowest possible price. 

To find out who owns a domain name, just go to http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp. You can also go to the website (if there is one at the domain) and look for an email address. 

I've recently undertaken several projects for my existing online businesses, as well as investing in new ventures. With the economy in turmoil, some people may think this is a bad time to be investing in business. However, economic downturns are nothing new and have always been part of the business cycle. With this fact in mind it is certain that the economy will improve eventually. When it does, my businesses will be in a position to take full advantage of the consumer spending that will be a part of any improvement in the economy. 

One basic goal of investing is to 'buy low and sell high'. The same can be said about investing in your business. If you invest when times are tough, the improvements you make will be fully effective at the start of improvement in the economy. You can continue to invest during good times, while recognizing that at some point an economic downturn is inevitable. Taking a more conservative strategy during the later stages of a good economy allows you to prepare for the bad times. 

The bottom line is that you are investing for the future. Making decisions that will pay off in the future, based solely on present economic conditions, is short sighted and may prevent you from making your business the best that it can be in the long run. 

Below is a link to an article on internet book, music and videos sales. 2007 saw growth of 32% in these sectors. That's huge, and shows that there is still plenty of room for growth in internet retailing, as well as plenty of room for more online specialty stores. This article is particularly interesting since it mentions Barnes and Noble, which is the subject of one of the audio lessons on The Web Store College.

http://www.internetretailer.com/dailyNews.asp?id=27664