The Winners: Smaller Merchants who Made it Big

Some of our most successful merchants are big companies. But not all of them. A lot of the most successful stores are smaller companies. Some, in fact, are one-man operations.

That's what they mean when they say that the Web levels the playing field. A small company doesn't have to look small. Or stay small.

In the physical world, a big company has a big advantage. They can spend millions of dollars to set up a marble and glass store on Park Avenue.

On the Web, things are different. Everyone's Web pages are made out of the same stuff: text and images. So there is no reason that you can't look just as good as General Motors. Or better.

It's not just a matter of pride. Looking real is what makes customers buy. So if you can make your Web site look like the site of a big successful company, that may be just what you grow into.

These stores did. Most of them started small. All have become leaders in their categories. How did they do it? Focus on a specific niche market, a professional looking Web site, great customer service, and time.

Gun Dog Supply
PalmGear
Fridgedoor.Com
Aviation Shopping Network
Vitanet
Beyond Muscle.com
Direct Sales
Restaurant-Store.com
Internet Hobbies
Flight Sim Central
Stained Glass Warehouse
Upgrade Source
Mr. Gadgets