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© 1996 R

How can I use the Internet to improve my Business?

The Internet can be used for market analysis, product analysis, recruitment, attracting new clients, access to new information on a timely basis, rapid communications... its uses are - almost - limitless. As time goes on, more and more applications appear allowing new and unthought of uses of the Internet. CU-SeeMe allows video conferencing, the Internet Telephone allows toll-free international telephone communications. Even Internet radio allows radio stations to broadcast around the world. Are these pipe-dreams? No - all currently exist, though some are currently only in pre-release.

Foreign Exchange Rates

The current foreign exchange reates may be obtained at Lund University in Sweden

Trace Your FedEx/UPS Packages

Check the Yellow Pages

NYNEX's Big Yellow
555-1212.com

Statistics

Who is on the Internet? What do they look like? What do they buy? This information is not reliable, but the following sources have been trying to define the answer for years. I imagine some of them are closer than others. Check them out.

For a look at the demographics of the internet, check out Georgia Tech's October, 1995 World Wide Web Survey of over 23,000 self-selected World Wide Web users.
Network Wizards did a survey of Internet Domains in July, 1995 which will give you an idea of the growth of the Internet.
Matrix Information and Directory Services' April 1995 survey is yet another source of information on the growth of the Internet.
The Yahoo Index includes pointers to much more.

What do I do with the Internet?

This is the question most on the minds of anyone who comes near to the internet. Some feel they have the ultimate answer, but most realize that there is no one answer that fits everyone's needs. Check out the following for ideas and then run with the ones you like.

ORASIS has an informative article in Business Applications for Internet Technology.
Here is how Commercial Real Estate Brokers see the use of the Internet.
To find out what the Internet can do for your business, try RTD's The Business of the Internet.
IBC's Marketing on the Internet provides information on marketing strategies.
For a more detailed look at what you can do, check out The Internet Business Guide.
Al Bredenberg's 10 Tips for Selling on the Internet has lots of good advice. Take it to heart.
20 Reasons to Put Your Business on the World Wide Web
The Web Digest For Marketers is a bi-weekly bulletin or executive summary that reports on the latest marketing sites to come onto the Web. Careful, it's big!

U. S. Census Data

The U.S. Bureau apparently believes this is a good way of disemminating information to those who need it - you. Lots of good stuff there.

1990 US Census data
U.S. Census Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division
The U.S. Census's TIGER Mapping Service provides a public resource for generating high-quality, detailed maps of anywhere in the United States, using public geographic data.

I've got a Web Site - How Can I Tell How I'm Doing?

Several pieces of software exist for analysing the log files kept by your provider. Analog and Access Watch are two good log-file analysis programs. You should ask your access provider to run one of these programs for your site. Remember, though, this is not a perfectly accurate measure of accesses because some systems (AOL, etc) cache your site when accessed, and many more AOLer's may have been to your site than show up in the logs.

Discussing Internet Marketing

The following pages list Internet Mailing Lists which discuss marketing concerns, both on and off the internet:

HT Marcom's Marketing Lists on the Internet
MouseTracks' Marketing Lists on the Internet
Internet-Marketing Discussion List

Local Internet Marketing Consultants

Here at BerkshireNet, we're regionalists. We believe that the regional suppliers should be consulted before moving out to the national guys. The following are excellent sources for advice on handling business on the internet. Check them out.

The Manufacturing Partnership of Western Massachusetts supports small manufacturers in western MA (including Berkshire County. Email ggeyer@cbwl.org.
Computer Solutions! runs the Holyoke, MA directory. Email info@holyoke.com.
The Berkshire Web of has developed the most complete Virtual Berkshire County to date. They may be reached at chuck@berkshireweb.com.
Baygo Communications is also designing a virtual Berkshire Community. They may be reached at baygo@baygo.com
Paradigm Partnership operates out of Northampton. They will work with you to get your company or organization online, and to carefully craft your internet presence to create the image you want to project. They may be reached at popovich@map.com
MMIPROductions
Bill Cooke of Great Barrington specializes in Publication Design and World Wide Web page design. Bill can be reached at mahaiwe@berkshire.net
Creative Web Design
World of Artists Internet Services
Intergrafix
Mark Wnuk

Reading Material

Much has been written on the use of the Internet for Marketing, Sales and Service. Check out the following books at your favorite bookstore:

Author	Title
Cronin, Mary J.	Doing Business on the Internet
Cronin, Mary J.	Doing More Business on the Internet
Cronin, Mary J.	Global Advantage on the Internet
Ellsworth & Ellsworth	The Internet Business Book
Ellsworth & Ellsworth	Marketing on the Internet
Gelormine, Vince	The Internet Marketing Blackbook
Glossbrenner & Glossbrenner	Making Money on the Internet
Janal, Daniel S.	101 Businesses You Can Start on the Internet
Janal, Daniel S.	Online Marketing Handbook
Schwartau & Goggans	The Complete Internet Business Toolkit
Watkins & Marenka	The Internet Edge in Business

Before blindly buying any of these books, though, consider the marketing techniques they themselves are using. If they don't work, the book probably is no bargain.

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