Year In Review: Top Ten Internet Businesses 2004

The internet boom hit a high mark in 2004. With old standbys and new emergences, the top ten internet businesses 2004 show a variety of companies all with one thing in common: they have adapted well to the World Wide Web. Many companies have difficulties and struggle amidst the huge ocean of the internet, especially since it is quite difficult to maintain a personal face. The companies in the top ten have not only succeeded in the business sense, they have invaded out daily life and have become a household name. From meagre beginnings, these top ten entrepreneur companies have mastered this new medium and are an inspirational to any budding entrepreneur interested in starting an internet based business.

The Internet search engine Google was the top internet business of 2004. The world's largest search engine receives over 200 million hits a day. Businesses pay Google to have an ad for their website appear to the right side of the user's search. The paid advertising targets consumers seeking information. Google's initial public offering gave it a market capitalisation of over $23 billion dollars, placing it between Yahoo and Amazon.com. In addition to becoming an economic success, the company's name has invaded our language. The verb "google" entered the dictionary with a definition meaning "to look someone or something up on the internet." The essence of a truly successful business is not only one that makes money but also serves its clients to the utmost potential.

The online auction site eBay.com continued to expand its services and customer base throughout 2004. As the industry leader it boasts over tens and millions of members and has websites in over 17 countries. eBay.com generated over $3 billion in revenues off of a record $34 billion dollars in Gross Merchandise Volume.

Amazon.com continues to be the world's number one internet retailer with 2004 sales in excess of $6.9 billion dollars. The retailer continues to expand its offerings and partnerships with other retailers. Recently Amazon.com rolled out a9.com, which provides consumers with expanded search options to find merchandise on Amazon.com's website. As part of the Tsunami relief effort and in conjunction with the American Red Cross, Amazon.com set-up an online donation channel, which raised over $13 million dollars.

Yahoo Inc. provides comprehensive global internet services. It remains the most visited website with over 3 billion page views per day. Yahoo launched its own search engine technology after dropping Google-powered results. Boasting free and paid email accounts and website complete with design tools, many pleased clients are using Yahoo.

Expedia, the Washington-based travel company has revolutionized the entire travel industry. Allowing individuals to serve as their own travel agents and search a database of airfares, rental cars, and hotel rooms, Expedia has allowed everyone to gain access to the phenomenal travel deals that would previously be reserved for insiders.

Technology giant Microsoft launched the Microsoft to serve a variety of needs for a consumer. Boasting email, news, chat software, and website hosting, MSN is one of the most visited websites on the internet.

America Online has found a great deal of competition with companies like MSN and Yahoo! but is still one of the most popular internet service providers out there. Boasting an entire network of satisfied customers, AOL goes beyond the service of other providers. Many individuals new to the internet choose to use AOL due to its ease of use and availability all over the globe.

Netflix has become an increasingly popular option for many movie-renting customers. Instead of having to travel to your local movie store, the movies are shipped directly to your home. You have an unlimited number of rentals and pay a nominal monthly fee for the service. By lowering its fees in the middle of the year to compete with lower competitor prices, Netflix drastically increased its clientele.

With the popularity of burning audio and video files to create your own CDs, many copyright issues have taken center court. Instead of illegally trading music for free using person to person programs; Real.com has a wide array of songs available for legal download for a nominal fee. Additionally, Real.com offers a variety of free and pay media players so individuals can play MP3s, CDs, DVDs, and any other type of media file directly on their computer.

The last internet company in the top ten is online retailer and technology giant Apple. Their website Apple.com boasts an amazing number of customers each month, as it provides a forum to purchase Apple products along with different programs necessary for maintaining your Apple computer, iPod, or any other electronic product sold by the company.

John Evans runs http://www.SuccessAlert.com, and has written the book Success Alert - Conversations with Successful Internet Entrepreneurs which has been widely acclaimed in a variety of media. If you want to hear about Top Ten Internet Businesses 2004 this book is a must-read!

---

The Relation Between Internet Marketing Education and Profits

Many people join internet business opportunities online blindly. By this... Read More

E-marketplace ? Facts and Fictions

Not long ago, industry pundits were touting B2B marketplaces or... Read More

Free For All Sites: How They Can Actually Help Your Business

Anyone whose been marketing online knows that generating leads can... Read More

Collective Courtesy

I don't know what you are promoting, or what methods... Read More

Chameleon Advertising: Marketing to Your Niche Markets with Stories

Do you remember how, in days gone by, salesmen would... Read More

Internet Marketing Basics

Almost all of the articles on Internet marketing lacks coverage... Read More

When is Spying on Your Competition a Complete Waste of Time?

Your brain screams "Gimme Fast", "Gimme Easy", "Do it for... Read More

In Depth Analysis of a Successful Niche Product

The product is about teaching your parrot how to talk.... Read More

The Tao of Web Marketing

A few months ago I was watching a stream meandering... Read More

The Best Kept Secret on the Internet

What is the Best Kept Secret on the Internet?This is... Read More

How Many Sales Have You Made After Your Advertising Campaign?

When you start your online business, you will go through... Read More

The Power Of Giving

1.Why give away what you could sell?That's a fair enough... Read More

Killer Internet Marketing Errors - How to Avoid Them

With 95% of all Internet businesses failing, it is important... Read More

Analyzing Website Traffic

Analyzing your web traffic statistics can be an invaluable tool... Read More

The Google Toolbar & Search Engine Optimization

Like many other useful toolbars out there so is the... Read More

Mortgage Marketing: What To Expect From Your New Website

The day has come for your new website to go... Read More

An Approach to Advertising on the Internet

Budweiser has the frogs. McDonalds has Ronald. Goodyear has the... Read More

Being Part Of Groups

There are many different ways to have fun and socialize... Read More

Website Marketing: 10 Smart Ways To Profit In An Uncertain Economy

When the economy is booming, you may do well in... Read More

10 Explosive Ways To Turbo-Boost Your Sales

1. Design your web site to be a targeted resource... Read More

The Power of Reverse Advertising

How many times have you heard that posting on FFA... Read More

How You Can Promote Products And Services In Internet

There are two ways how you can promote products and... Read More

Make Money With A Business Opportunity Online

There are so many business opportunities these days that promise... Read More

Why Your Internet Business is Like the Stock Market

As savvy stock market investors know, chasing after the one... Read More

What is EMarketing? A New Discipline is Evolving

Before trying to define the term of eMarketing (or electronic... Read More

Differentiate and Grow Rich: The Importance of a Strong USP

"With 50 other companies selling the same products and services,... Read More

Shopping Search Engines, The Benefits and Explanations

The Shopping Search Engines are a new breed on the... Read More

5 Surefire Ways to Increase Sales

The Internet has changed how people do their business. Even... Read More

Using Ad Boards in Your Marketing Campaigns

Are free advertising boards a waste of time?Not if you... Read More

Traditional Mediums versus Search Engine Positioning

Banner Advertising:Paying $15 for a 1000 impressions on a high... Read More

Beat The Phenomenon Of Awful Sale Statistics

It is a purely shocking statistic, that only 4 in... Read More

Do?s and Don?ts for the Internet Marketing Newbie (Part 1)

I, myself, being an internet marketing "newbie" (endearing term used... Read More

Keep those Back end Sales Flowing 24/7 Using The Funnel Theory of Marketing and Automated Tools

The Funnel Theory of Marketing Relies on the fact that... Read More