One of the things that will benefit any new marketer is to understand the differences and similarities between online and offline marketing.

Myth: It is easier to sell online than offline.

It is all about establishing trust and credibility

Where do you buy your clothes from? Why do you buy from them? Lets see, most people will include one or more of the following answers:

- Convenience Situated close to your home or office, offer easy parking, etc.
- Price & Quality They offer good value for money.
- Preference You like the range of clothing they stock.
- Payment Terms Many people have store cards.

- Customer Service You enjoy and appreciate the service you receive.
- Return & Refund Policy No problem giving refunds or exchanging items.

- Sales Promotions You simply cannot ignore their great sales promotions.

What many people do not mention is that they trust the merchant and have confidence in the store. Chances are they have been buying there for many years. In fact, most people simply take these reasons for granted because they are so obvious in offline marketing.

What may be obvious in offline marketing is often not that obvious in online marketing.

There are many new website owners that do all the right things - the right things as far as offline marketing is concerned They offer a great product and pay close attention to:

- Convenience Purchasing is easy. You dont even need to leave your home.
- Price & Quality They often offer products at a discount to offline merchants.
- Preference They offer products for which they know a demand exists.
- Payment Terms They offer easy payment options by credit card.

- Customer Service They have a toll free telephone no. and offer email support.
- Return & Refund Policy Offer a no questions asked money back guarantee.

- Sales Promotions Offer special promotions and discounts on a regular basis.

And yet, they fail to succeed. Why? Because they do not have credibility.

People are often nervous to support an online merchant they dont know. Many people are reluctant to buy online using their credit cards for fear that their personal information will be stolen. Very often your customer will be hundreds or even thousands of miles away

You always need to put yourself in the position of a potential customer. They dont know you. They dont know if your product is any good. Dont make the mistake of trying too hard to sell without first establishing your online credibility.

Francois du Toit is a full-time internet marketer and the author of Digging For Gold Nuggets - Lessons Learned In Internet Marketing (This article is a small extract from this brand new book). Visit Online Marketing From Home or click on the following link to claim a copy of this 100 page book while it is still being offered for free http://www.DiggingForGoldNuggets.com