| Getting set up to create your own internet home | | | | use it for YOUR web site. |
| based business where you can work from home | | | | The next item on your list is to find a web host. A web |
| selling products online can seem like an overwhelming | | | | hosting company will store all the files that make up |
| project, but it actually just involves following a proven | | | | your web site, including a database of information, |
| process mixed in with some creative ingenuity and the | | | | prices, and content. |
| discipline to see the project through. We will touch on a | | | | Some web hosting companies are much cheaper than |
| few of the most important points in this article. All of | | | | others. However, you have to look at the features and |
| this starts with creating a plan of action and then | | | | services your web host will offer before you choose |
| executing. | | | | the host that is right for you. |
| First you need to figure out what you want to sell. To | | | | Next, you will need to decide if you are going to design |
| verify your options, you have to do some research to | | | | your own web site or hire professionals to do it for |
| see if there is a demand for this product or service | | | | you. You can compromise by purchasing web |
| and whether it is currently being sold successfully | | | | 'templates' from a professional company. With a little |
| online. | | | | training and a little effort, you can learn to update these |
| Check your local discount stores and large online | | | | templates to change or add information to your web |
| chains like Amazon to see if they already sell this | | | | site. |
| product. Unless your product has some unique or | | | | Whether you are designing your own web site or hiring |
| valuable feature to distinguish it from others, your | | | | professionals, you need to figure out what 'content' |
| customers are going to go to big discount stores, or | | | | you want on your site. Will you have educational |
| buy online from a large retailer. | | | | information, write articles, provide a description of your |
| After this research is complete, if you are still excited | | | | services or just sell products? |
| about the opportunity of online business, you will next | | | | If you are selling products or services on your web |
| need to establish your business (choosing your | | | | site, you will need some way to accept payments. |
| business 'type' - sole proprietorship, partnership, limited | | | | Make no mistake you MUST provide a method to |
| liability partnership, corporation, etc.). You will need to | | | | accept payments on the spot, rather than asking your |
| choose a business type that gives you the best tax | | | | customer to send a check or money order. If you |
| benefit, and the most protection against liability (if your | | | | intend to be recognized as a professional business, |
| product or service may expose you to legal action). | | | | you must offer your customers a simple way to order |
| You will get a Tax ID number when you set up your | | | | your products. |
| business. This number allows you to collect state sales | | | | After you have done all these things, you will need to |
| tax and establishes your ability to buy products | | | | either stock your product or hire your employees to |
| wholesale so you can re-sell these products on your | | | | perform services. |
| web site. | | | | Your web designer (maybe YOU) will have to |
| Next, you will need a business bank account. Some | | | | consider advertising techniques and other methods to |
| banks require you to wait three months after your | | | | get customers to find and buy from your web site. |
| business paperwork is filed, before you can open a | | | | As you can see, starting an online business is a |
| business account. | | | | significant investment in time and effort. Your |
| Since your business is an online business, you will have | | | | expenses may not be high, but you do have to put in |
| to get a 'domain' name. This name is the name of your | | | | the planning time and ensure that you have thought |
| web site and the 'address' your customers will type | | | | through all the aspects of the business. |
| into their web browser when they want to visit your | | | | The bottom line for prospective online business |
| site. | | | | entrepreneurs is to consider the time and effort, the |
| You should be prepared with several options and | | | | cost and the findings from your research. |
| spin-offs of the name you think you want, since your | | | | THEN, decide whether you really think you can pull this |
| first choice may not be available. If the name is already | | | | off! |
| registered to another business, you will not be able to | | | | |