[pinkfluffybunny]

This is a double post - I answered a guy about adwords but it's applicable here:

Here's the deal, adwords are just a place to start if you can't wait until your site gets indexed. If the site is done right, it will return a very small percentage of leads or sales.

I have a client that pays $98.00 per lead (after all is calculated). The lead site costs them $2.00 a lead. It also cost them $300,000.00 to maintain and develop. The site brings in 4000 leads a month, google ads account for 60 of those, and the conversion is extremely low.

If you are a small guy selling a product and expect to compete with the big boys - forget it. They will outspend you and sell the product retail, cheaper than you can buy it wholesale. To put it bluntly, Don't build a store next to walmarket if you carry the same products they do. Buy.com was willing to lose millions the first couple years just to put the competition out of business.

BUT you can make a little money, keep your clients or customers informed and get the site to pay for its self.

If you want to make a few extra bucks - set up at the online flea market (EBAY). Take $20.00 on the weekend and go to some yard sales. Buy stuff you are knowledgable about. Slap it on Ebay. How much money can you expect to make? 600.00 - 800.00 a month for a few hours work visiting yard sales, and buying stuff people want for a $1.00 and let them bid on it. Make it fun.

If you have a local business and sell stuff, yes a website will help. Try to compete with me and people like me - you can't. we're pros. I have thousands of dollars worth of software and equipment just to beat the crap out of other big guys. Example I spend 4 hours a day on one clients site increasing it's standings (and have been for 7 years.) You can't afford a guy like me, but if you are willing to work hard and study hard you can do it.

I can't tell you how many times I told a prospective client they don't need a website.