Internet software can help you pump up sales on your ecommerce site, improve web content, boost your e-marketing strategies and more. In fact, Internet applications that deliver online payment options, search capabilities and other handy services are considered standard fare on many commercial websites. Meanwhile, Internet business software for e-mail marketing and online advertising eases the process of reaching out to customers.

How can Internet software programs help your business?

1. If you’re an online merchant, Internet business software in the form of a shopping cart application can help you generate more sales.
2. With Internet software that lets you create an online forum, you can create a loyal community of people who visit your website on a regular basis.
3. An Internet software application for online marketing makes it easy to launch an economical e-mail marketing program to up-sell or cross-sell your customers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Internet software for online marketing

Dozens of Internet software programs aim to improve your marketing efforts and build customer loyalty.

I recommend: An Internet software solution called Marqui helps you manage your website content and attract more qualified leads. A live chat program called LivePerson helps customers find merchandise or services on your site. Stay in touch with your customers via an e-mail marketing campaign with an e-mail program, such as Mach5 Mailer. More email software vendors can be found at Business.com.

Internet applications for online advertising

Whether you're an advertiser or you have a website that displays ads, you can find Internet software programs to help you manage your advertising programs.

I recommend: Ad Serving Solutions is a hosted Internet software solution that lets advertisers remotely monitor and track online ad campaigns. If your site includes banner ads, Ban Man Pro will manage and rotate those banner ads.

Internet business software and services handle online

If you use credit card processing services and/or PayPal, they become your Internet software solution for online payments.

I recommend: Services such as Chase Paymentech Solutions can process credit card, debit card and electronic checks. PayPal is a secure service that allows you to accept credit-card transactions as well electronic checks. Online shopping carts, such as ShopSite, “carry” your customer’s merchandise to your site’s payment window and are part marketing tool and part payment tool. Find more online payment solutions and software at Business.com.

Add search capabilities to your website with Internet software

Internet applications that provide search functions help your customers find the products and services they want quickly.

I recommend: PicoSearch is a hosted search service, making the installation process quick and easy. Another Internet software option is MTop Software’s Search Engine Composer, which you can try out for free.

Internet applications can start an online forum

With specialized Internet software, you can create an online forum and build a loyal community of people who will return to your site to enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded people.

I recommend: Jive Software offers several customizable forum applications. Web Wiz Forums is another Internet software program that lets you customize your forum. Web Wiz Forum’s free edition is a simpler version of its Premium edition.

Use Internet software to offer wireless hotspots to your customers

If you own a café or other business that draws laptop-toting customers, encourage them to stick around by investing in a wireless Internet software solution.

I recommend: SputnikNet Express hosts Internet software that allows merchants to provide wireless Internet access to customers. Once your wireless network is running, get your establishment listed on online hot spot locators such as WiFi HotSpot Locator, listed at TechNewsWorld. If you provide wireless access for free, you can be listed on the Wi-Fi-FreeSpot Directory.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Maximize the results from your online marketing Internet software application by include discount offers in every marketing e-mail message or newsletter you send.
• •  If your destination page doesn't load quickly or isn't easy to navigate, look for an Internet software solution that will remedy those shortcomings.
• •  Live chat Internet software allows customers to ask about your products in real time while they're on your website.