| Starting a small business online can be a scary | | | | your own web site hosted on your own server. This |
| proposition at first but it doesn't have to be that way | | | | will allow you more flexibility and the room to grow |
| once you understand the basic steps. As in anything, | | | | your business. It also gives you a more permanent and |
| building an Internet business can be broken down into | | | | professional look to your visitors. |
| basic steps and when you do, it becomes much less | | | | Build a subscriber list: |
| intimidating. In this article I will give you four steps for | | | | In the online business world there are only two tangible |
| starting your business online that will help clear all the | | | | assets. Your web site is one and your list is the other. |
| clutter. | | | | Arguably the most important thing you can do in your |
| Pick your market or niche: | | | | business is build a list of subscribers so that you can |
| You must narrow down the market that you will build | | | | contact them and build relationships. Over time you can |
| your business in. The reason this is important is that | | | | build trust with your list by offering value and then they |
| when you have narrow targeted market you will be | | | | will be more likely to follow your recommendations and |
| able to define that markets needs and create or find | | | | buy your products. |
| products that best meet those needs. It is a good idea | | | | Sell to your list: |
| to focus your business on a market that you know or | | | | You can't make money until something is sold and on |
| have an interest in. Your knowledge will allow you to | | | | the Internet the best way to do that is to sell to your |
| quickly become a recognized expert in your niche. | | | | list. As discussed above, you have built a list of |
| Build a web site: | | | | subscribers and provided value so they trust you and |
| Your web site is your online identity and the way that | | | | value your recommendations. You can now market to |
| your market will find and identify with you. Even though | | | | them and provide even greater value by offering |
| you can get by with a free version like a blogger blog, | | | | solutions to their problems. |
| you are better off with your own domain name and | | | | |