And that's the focus for this issue of Internet ScamBusters. In fact, location on the Internet is an unlimited resource. As you stroll by, you might see a new book by your favorite author in the window of WaldenBooks, or a great new kitchen gadget in Williams Sonoma's window. In other words, the analogy of a mall really doesn't work very well on the Internet. Many mall owners sell the promise that you'll get a lot of visitors to your Web site because you're part of their mall.
Hits are a meaningless measure of traffic.
In reality, it's just as easy to get buried in a mall as elsewhere. In fact, being listed in a mall directory is similar to being listed in the white pages of the phone book. And many of the large malls make more of their money selling seminars and business opportunities than via online transactions. Internet malls are usually pricey. Further, the cost of Web space is often quite high on a mall.