There is an incredible amount of technology running behind the scenes to ensure that customers can fill their carts with your wares. Anyone who has experienced a 404 error, a cable modem outage or unending busy signals on dial-up can attest to the frustration that can result from chips and wires not doing their jobs.

That being the case, it's a good idea to have back up plans for all the things that you are most heavily reliant upon. Sure, you can enlist some generous family and friends to help pack and ship orders when your warehouse employees take a mass sick day but what do you do when your hosting company goes out of business? Or your Webmaster disappears for parts unknown? Or you lose your Internet connection minutes after the IT guy has embarked on a family vacation? Or what if your designer quits just as you are ready to add dozens of new products to your online catalog?

In any of these worst case scenarios (or multiple worst case scenarios), it's imperative to the success of your business to solve problems quickly. Fill your Rolodex or PDA with freelancers, techies and outsourcing options. In the event that some impediment to conducting business strikes, you have some options.

Of course, the best way to avoid having to revert to Plan B is to make sure Plan A is virtually foolproof. While nothing is impervious to damage, steps can be taken to ensure the integrity of your technology and employees.

• You get what you pay for. If you get a coupon in the mail for $10 per month Web hosting, something's wrong. Avoid contracting the services that come at rock bottom prices. Choose a solution that is more mid-priced unless you need something specialized, which can come at a higher price.

• Find out what provisions an ISP, hosting or Web development company make if they are not able to fulfill contracts or if they become a dot-com casualty. Can they move your pages to another server? Will you own your code and design? Will arrangements be made to maintain uninterrupted connections? Make sure to get responses in writing.

• Treat your workforce with respect and make sure they have a vested interest in the company's success. Stock options, profit sharing and incentives will help ensure that employees attain longevity at the organization.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst and expect the unexpected.

Where to find replacements or new resources:
The List^TM -- the definitive Web Host buyer's guide
The List^TM -- the definitive buyer's guide to Web Design
The List^TM -- the definitive buyer's guide to Internet Service Providers