To invest time in the development of your website is as important as developing your presentation.  However, the website is not the answer to building your business.  You should track how many emails you receive from interested consumers, how many of your visitors bought from you, and what kind of actual participation you have in your community INSTEAD OF HITS!  Work with those tools and not "hit" reports.  "Hit" Reports are worthless to your checking account!.

Today's advertiser is wanting to reach the same people you are selling to.  They are interested in people who actually participate in supporting a product, service or cause.   All of this carries the entrepreneur back to the basics of business development.   The business owner works hard to get a customer, but once a customer does business with you, it is your responsibility to nurture a lasting business relationship.

Recently, I transferred the women in business discussion list to its new server.  As soon as the list moved and we were set up again, I asked our members to introduce themselves to the list members.  What I saw, after working on the fodreams.com website for 6 years is that many of the list members were with me from those early years.  They have seen me struggle and grow.  They have seen me reach out and expose myself to new ideas...some that worked and many that didn't.  Those members of fodreams.com learned from every step I took in my business development.  In each step of my development stage, they, too, were progressing through steps in their development stage.  We are bonded.  We are a community.  We are loyal to each other through that bonded community.

I have watched other women's networks reap the rewards of advertiser monies simply because they were able to spend huge amounts of money on pulling in visitors to their websites.  However, as women went to those websites of fluff and gadgets, they left because no one cared to introduce themselves, shake their hands, or get to know them as they entered the business.   They were just a number in the "hits" report for that week. 

Women spend more money online and save money when they utilize free services.  Each time a woman in business provided a business article, or donated a prize for a fodreams.com contest, or even sent a check to me from time to time, the website ran a promotional area to further support their business online.  Reciprocal links back to the fodreams.com community are outstanding; yet, not one penny of advertising money was used to secure that bonded loyalty.

So, while it may appear that the "huge" website developments reap the money, be very aware that the old cliche' "all that glitters is not gold," is here today, as it has always been.  The real online spending is being done where we feel we are appreciated and supported.  We, the consumer, are looking for the "General Store" owner's friendship and trust.  Support and promote your customer and your customer will support and promote you.

I know of women in business who worked out of their homes, made hand-made arts and craft objects, homemade soaps, herbs, and various other items and paid taxes on revenue earned.  Compare those microbiz figures with the big corporate losses to investors and see how many of those "huge" website developments can claim they paid taxes on revenue earned?

Here at fodreams.com we form cooperatives, barter and help each other grow.  This Network is being developed by those of us who support opportunities for microbiz and homebased business opportunities.  We support each other's businesses so we all can live our dreams.

Finally, look hard at the hands of women business owners who hold a baby in her lap while typing promotional emails to her customers.  Look hard at what is truly "new beginnings" and "future resources."  Those endeavors are where future ecommerce lies.  These entrepreneurs will be who make money online... because they do not have money to waste!

Do not look to the "huge" website developments with all their glitter but rather to the base of e-commerce, where women reap a harvest rich in produce.  Look at the hands of women who sign their names to a check in purchasing produce and services from women of her kind.  Look at the hands holding hands across the globe, reaching to women everywhere. 

Look at the baby's role model.  She teaches at the same time she develops her business.  Look forward, in anticipation of another generation of entrepreneurs who will learn business, at the same time they learn to take their first step.  Look at the hands that build success...the hands of today's woman in business.