[S934]Starting Internet Based Business

Don't let the idea of creating an online business frighten you. If you're careful and use a commonsense process based on simple but necessary steps, you can succeed. You don't want to get ahead of yourself and quit the job that you already have, so the question remains of how you are going to start a business, when you only work at it part-time. Basically it's a step-by-step process.

Then the big question: What is your business? If you already have a craft or profession, you can expand what you are already doing by creating an Internet-based growth plan. If you want to do something different than what you do 9-to-5, you can still choose between offering services (singing, writing, painting, home repair) or sales (collectibles, dolls, clothing, electronics). If you are reading this article, it is probably because terms like ?URL? and ?cgi bin? are still a bit new to you. This means it may be best to test the waters first, ?dipping your toes,? as they say.

Don't worry about websites

Most people are under the impression that they need a website up and running in order to start an online business. This is a common misconception and can be a dangerous mistake. Why is this? Well, simply put, websites (particularly for a novice) can cost you a lot of time and money to create. When you think of where you need to begin the journey and how you're going to make this work, it might be easier to start with something a tad less complex.

For instance, you can start by going through your closet or garage and find four or five things to sell that may have some value. After you've done that, you can list them on eBay, Craigslist, other auction sites and even community ?bulletin boards.? It's very easy to set up a free seller account on these auction sites as they all provide tutorials. Fees associated with listing and selling your items are quite reasonable when compared to other methods of selling, like setting up a booth at the local flea market. For the novice seller, it's a great way to get your foot in the door.

Believe this, too ? when you make your first sale, it's a great thrill. If it's not at all exhilarating to you, then an online business is not going to be the right choice. In other words, stick to your day job or make your online efforts more like it. But what if you do feel that rush? Time for the next step.

Get legally organized

In order to begin a real online business, that's legal in all aspects of the word, may require a business license. The city and county that you live in will be able to advise you on this, and issue the license(s) you need. You might also need to obtain a resale license, but acquiring this is not at all difficult, either. This is a state-level issue, and you should contact the appropriate departments in your state government to work this out. This is a requirement if you are going to buy wholesale and resell at a markup.

Whether you are selling products or offering services, you will have to consider how you want to legally structure your business. At the beginning, it is easiest to be a sole proprietor or perhaps go into business with one partner. Unless you have money to invest and have a solid business plan, there is probably no reason at this point to incorporate. There are many costs associated with having a corporation, and you need to ?earn? your way to this level by succeeding as a proprietor or partnership first.

Creating your online presence

All of those glamorous corporate websites can cost millions to develop. Do you really have to have one? No. Web presence is going to be important to any customer but start out easy. Having your own store on eBay will cost you less than $20 a month, and you can set it up in a day. Once you start making money, of course, you can buy your own ?domain name? ? yourbusinessname.com ? and set up your own site. You can get hosting plans for as little as $5 a month when you pay annually, and all the offers today include everything you need, including shopping carts.

When it does come time to build your own website, remember that even designers with degrees in design spend years, and thousands of dollars, learning the programs to design and run websites. You can skip the twists and turns of the learning curve by starting with an eBay Store. Your eBay Store will be fully ecommerce-enabled, your customers can use credit cards and you'll be ready for business in no time. When you can afford to have your own site, and pay to have it done right, then you can do so.

Now go get the customers

You are not done yet, of course. You need to drive traffic (customers) to your website. Let's face it, if customers don't know you're there, you won't have a business, no matter how nice your site or how great your product or service. You need to invest what you can, which will mostly be time and not a lot of money, in promoting your site and your business. You need to have an email campaign, send press releases to print and web publications, trade links and banners with other businesses, talk to everyone you can, get friends (and everyone else you know) to send announcements for you to their email lists, post comments on online forums and generally sing a ?one note song? about what you are doing.

There are no shortcuts and no easy answers. You have to work harder to be in business yourself than you do at any 40-hour-a-week job. There will be times that you will want to quit, and days that do not look like you will make it. Remember these inspiring words from former President Calvin Coolidge:

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ?press on? has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

If you persist, and use common sense, you can succeed at this. Be prepared to give it all you've got, or don't even start. Once you have established yourself and have followed some simple, yet rewarding steps, you will be able to set forth toward a successful Internet-based business. And then you can take all the credit for your hard work as you hear the ?clink? of coins dropping into your coffers.