The best role of business online is that of interdependency. We've all
heard the old saying, "No man is an island." When it comes to online
business this is especially true. If a business owner who takes their
business into the online world determines they will be self reliant and
never accept the help of anyone then that individual will not be in
business long enough to change their minds. It is accepted fact that the
greatest tool for long-term exposure to your website is through Search
Engine Optimization (SEO). Without it potential customers can't find
you. It is unreasonable to expect that you can adequately develop a
website without optimizing your website for the best possible search
engine ranking. Search engines also place a high value on sites that
have links placed on existing sites. These 'back-links' demonstrate to
search engines that others trust your site. By placing your link on
their website these other businesses indicate a trust and recommendation
for your site. In effect the two strategies listed above rely
exclusively on what others can do for you when it comes to your online
business. Shirley Temple once proclaimed in her movie Rebecca of Sunny brook Farm, "I'm very self-reliant." American westerns are filled
with lines dealing with pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and
holding down the fort. Many of us have grown up to believe if we want
something done right we have to do it ourselves. This thinking is in
opposition to the rules associated with an online business. The online
world can only exist because people share. Individuals share technology,
but the also share links, reviews, blogs, forums and a wide range of
other marketing strategies that find a commingling of interdependency.
In online business you are as dependent on others as they may be on you.
Unlike the word 'dependent', the term interdependent indicates a mutual
dependency. In other words you are depending on others to help provide
links back to your site while they are equally dependent on you (or
others) for the success of their business. Have you really taken a
proactive approach to networking? It's possible you are reading this
today and you've never considered asking someone else to place a link to
your site on his or her online business site. It can feel awkward
depending on others to achieve online success especially if you've been
lead to believe reliance on others is also a sign of imposing on their
otherwise brilliant generosity. I suppose it could be a deep-seated
sense of pride that makes it hard to consider the need to ask others for
help. However, the truth is depending on others is really what has made
the Internet possible. The growth of this online world is comprised of a
link of computers, networks and servers that are connected in a way
that provides the maximum benefit for all. Building an online business
can feel a bit like trying to build a house of cards. Without the
ability to rely on the other 'cards' around you it is virtually
impossible to build. Interdependence. This is the essence of online
business.
