A mailing list can literally determine whether your business fails or succeeds. Though many of us may be a bit nervous by the idea of requesting e-mail addresses from possible customers for fear of scaring them away, it's a necessity if you want to get the increased traffic and major sales successful websites experience.

You might be questioning why a mailing list is so important it is referred to as a gold mine. That's a logical question. Most people don't understand how effective a tool a mailing list has the possibility of being. Let me explain.

The first reason a mailing list is important is this: most people don't buy something during their initial visit to a website. Research has shown that the average internet customer makes an average of seven visits to the same site before actually buying something. In seven visits it isn't hard to lose a customer to competitors unless you give them a reason to return. That's where the mailing list enters the picture. If you can get visitors to sign up for your mailing list or newsletter, you have a way to lure them back to your site.

It doesn't end with simply getting them to return. Another statistic shows that 70 percent of e-mail users have made a purchase after receiving an e-mail advertisement. Think about the number of sales you could be losing if you don't have your own mailing list.

There is a lot to think about where mailing lists are involved. Although you might be worried about giving the wrong impression when requesting a customer's e-mail address the figures speak loudly. Keep in mind; the people on your mailing list have requested e-mails from you, irregardless of whether they are newsletters, promotions, special offers or updates. These customers have given you their trust and that, in the end, is where your sales originate.