You started your internet business and have been quite happy to run it manually, but now it's becoming too big and your time is constantly taken up with mundane tasks. If this is you, then you are becoming less productive and more under pressure because of the extra workload.

This is where centralization comes into it's own by allowing you to run an efficient and trouble free business online. If your business depends on selling and delivering digital products, it doesn't matter where your products are stored online, the main thing is that the operation to deliver them and all the administrative tasks associated with it, are centralized.

Let's look at the functions required to operate an efficient, automated online business. Firstly, you will need to accept payments through various payment gateways and digitally deliver your products within seconds of a payment being received. People expect digital products to be downloaded immediately on payment, not at your convenience.

You will also need to protect your products from online thieves. If you're not currently protecting your products, you can be sure that they are being stolen and you are losing money.

Keeping detailed records of all of your sales,including where they came from, will be a nightmare if it isn't done automatically and is essential for testing what's working in your marketing arsenal, and what isn't.

Automating subscription payments, for example, payments on products and product packages to make them more affordable to your customers. Perhaps you also collect payments for ongoing services, subscriptions, and membership sites.

Do you run both free and paid membership sites (including automatic pass code generation and protection?) It's hard to imagine having to manually monitor several hundred (or thousand) members paying you each and every month for access to your website!

If you also run an affiliate program, automation of this side of your business is essential for the smooth running of your business, thereby cutting down the extra work created in maintaining it. Your affiliates will appreciate it as well.

When a customer purchases from you, do you automate your email Marketing tasks, including sending receipts, follow-up emails with autoresponder courses, pass codes, download links etc. Your affiliates will also need to know if they have made a sale automatically.

The crucial point is, if you have an online business you need to be organized and efficient and that means having all of your records in one place not scattered on different servers. Affiliates' information, your databases, pass codes etc need to be centralized for efficiency.

Most people today open an account with Clickbank or Paypal and start selling, because, unlike you, they just don't know any better. However, while they can take orders using these services, they cannot collect VITAL information about their sales, affiliates, customers, and joint venture partners.

By using a proper management system to handle your internet activities, you will create a network of success around you and your product/s that will increase your profits. And remember, you must constantly use a CENTRAL POINT through which you'll be able to control and monitor everything you do - especially your sales.