Content: The First Step to an Online
Business
If you are interested in starting an online business you should consider following the proven methods by
successful online entrepreneurs who understand the methods
of how online businesses work. One such entrepreneur is
Michael Dell a successful Internet business person who built
his business from the ground up and has shared his methods
for those who also want to be successful on the Internet.
Michael Dell began his business career building computers
when he was in college.
He started building custom computers part time in his dorm
room and with his business grew to the multi million dollar
corporation it is now. Dell computers still adheres to the
principles developed by Michael Dell and the success of the
company is a direct result. He started a philosophy that is
commonly known as The Three C’s. This philosophy can be used in any type of business from start up
and home based Internet businesses to network marketing.
“The Three C’s are content, community and commerce.”
Through hard work and dedication, he developed his concept of how to run a successful business and
this has lasted throughout his business career. The first of The Three C’s, content, is the first step in
developing an online business. Content is information that customers
want and need to know.
As defined by Michael Dell at a 1999 meeting of the Detroit Economic
Club, “The first stage of content means providing compelling
information. This is how we started our online operations in 1993, when
we put our technical databases online for customers to access. It was a
relatively simple start, but it showed us the tremendous interest from
our customers.”
Content includes any type of information that will be useful to your
customers. Documents, forms and manuals are the foundation to this
information but as your business gets more sophisticated, it can grow even further. You can automate
processes and ordering so that your customers have an easy way to get what they need. Additionally,
order status can be tracked so that customers always know where their shipment is and when it can be
expected.

“But why is content so important to the success of an online business? “
Content gives customers a sense of self reliance. It gives them all the information they need at their
fingertips so their experience online is fast, easy and complete. By providing valuable information online
to your customers, it saves money and time. From a business perspective it reduces the amount of
manual labor needed to process orders. It also gives a sense of security to your customers so they know
they are dealing with a reliable organization.
Michael Dell began implementing the first of his Three C’s by starting simply, adding informative
documents and forms to the website. As the company grew, more advanced technology was used to
add additional content to his Internet business. He states, “it is experiential and you learn by doing.”
“This is the same process any successful
Internet business should also adhere to.“
Start off by leveraging the content you already have and are able
to implement easily. As you grow, you can continue to advance
the type of content on your website. A business that follows
Michael Dell’s example of including valuable content has a better
chance of being successful.
The key is to ensure you have quality content in an appropriate
quantity. Give the customers the information they need that can
make their Internet experience with your online company safe, reliable, fast and easy. With this
philosophy as the stepping stone of your online business, you can begin to build on the community and
commerce aspects of The Three C’s for an all encompassing, successful business model.
©2009 – Rick Hubbard
www.contentcommercecommunity.com