Before plunging in and spending money there are some very fundamental issues to consider.

1. Research your proposed market niche thoroughly. Many home business never really get off the ground because people have chosen niches which are already saturated, as such competition will be too fierce.

2. Your service or product has to be something that people are looking for which is practical, serves a purpose and is cost effective for them. Think of niches which can be run successfully from your home. There is little point opting to manufacture a product if you don't have the room for the necessary machinery!

3. Using your skills online is also worth thinking about. If you are adept at using a computer and like writing you could offer writing services. This form of freelance work does require perseverance and to begin with you may find it hard to generate business. As with any other service you need to offer something that you competitors do not!

4. Affiliate marketing is also becoming an increasingly popular choice for new home business ventures. Making commission by selling other people's products can turn a profit, however you will need to have more than the average computer and sales knowledge.

5. Once you have decided on the service or product you are going to offer you will need to find suitable ways to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Ideas do not have to be completely revolutionary, neither do they have to be totally unique, however, they will have to offer something which customers cannot find from your competitors.

6. Advertising: You have thought of your niche area, carried out researches into costs, you will now have to think of ingenious marketing strategies to make clients and customers aware of who you are and what you are offering. There are many different methods of effective marketing, some will suit your business and pocket more then others.

7. If you are offering an online business then this is where you will need to focus your marketing strategy. Having your own website is a great starting place, which can have search engine optimisation work carried out on a regular basis to make your business become and remain noticed.

8. Flyers are another effective method of advertising. Although you cannot stick then to every post and pole you see, you can run a successful flyer campaign by tucking them under windscreen wipers of parked cars or simply stand in the street and hand them out to shoppers. If you have children you may be able to coerce them into helping!

9. Business cards are also a very effective way to spread your message. Rather than be tempted to try and throw something together on your pc, you should give serious consideration to engaging the services of an online printing company. Fast turnaround times and low costs make professionally designed and printed business cards a worth while investment.

10. Traditional advertising in local newspapers may be useful, particularly if your area has ‘free ads' and papers which are distributed free of charge. Many of these free papers also contain leaflets as supplementary items. Having your leaflet printing carried out by professional online printers is a great way to advertise your new business and reach out to people within your local area.