| Although it may not seem like it, the Internet is still inits | | | | littleinvestment and let the business grow as your |
| infancy. | | | | income grows. |
| It's undergone incredible change in the two decades | | | | You don't have to deal face-to-face with angry |
| sinceits inception. Starting as nothing more than the | | | | customers. |
| nugget ofan idea, it's grown into a revolutionary form | | | | You can automate a great deal of your business |
| ofcommunication, information sharing, and commerce. | | | | system,replicating it whenever you take on new |
| Eventoday it continues to evolve, often in new and | | | | products or moveinto a new niche. |
| unforeseendirections. | | | | You can outsource much of the work required by |
| One of these unforeseen directions has been the | | | | yourbusiness. |
| dramaticgrowth of Internet Business. | | | | You can start today, without a website if you wish, |
| What is it that's fueled this dramatic growth? And at | | | | evenwithout your own product if you wish. |
| thesame time, while we're asking important questions, | | | | On the downside, there's information overload. It's easy |
| what'skept it from growing even faster? | | | | tobecome overwhelmed with all the business solutions |
| The Internet provides consumers with a shopping | | | | outthere. It can be easier to lose track of what you |
| experiencesimilar to that of going to the local mall, only | | | | need todo today, this moment, to be successful. |
| without thecrowds and traffic. | | | | There's no face-to-face contact with customers (if |
| Customers have instant access to a huge inventory | | | | you enjoysocial interaction, Internet Marketing might not |
| ofproducts. They can buy a top-of-the-line golf club in | | | | be foryou). |
| onecorner of the Internet, and five minutes later, they | | | | It's still a business ... which means long hours, hard |
| can buya coffee gift basket in another corner. | | | | work,marketing, testing, retesting, etc. There is no |
| Whatever they want,they can probably find it on the | | | | secretformula that will make you an Internet millionaire |
| Internet. | | | | tomorrow. |
| In addition, customers enjoy the ease with which they | | | | As with any endeavor, starting an Internet business |
| canmake a purchase, and how quickly a transaction | | | | has itsplusses and minuses. |
| takes place. | | | | If you're thinking about going into business, whetheror |
| Order a book at and the entire process can bedone in | | | | not it's on the Internet, you need to take the time |
| less time than it would take you to get ready todrive | | | | toseriously look at your skills and personality traits. |
| to the nearest bookstore. | | | | So here are some questions to ask yourself ... |
| On the downside, there's still a large segment of | | | | == Are you a self-starter? |
| thepopulation that's uncomfortable enough with | | | | == Are you self-disciplined? |
| technology thatthey've excluded themselves from the | | | | == Are you willing to put in longer hours than you ever |
| customer pool. Andunlike shopping at the local mall, | | | | putin while working for someone else? |
| Internet transactions aredone on a computer screen | | | | == Do you know how to find your niche in the |
| without any face-to-faceinteraction. Consumers have | | | | marketplace andhow to identify your customers? |
| to trust someone they've nevermet. | | | | == Are you psychologically equipped to take risk? |
| They also have to overcome their fears of identity | | | | == How long can you go without making a profit? Can |
| theft andconcerns about credit card security. | | | | youobtain or do you have enough money to get the |
| Finally, for hard products (as opposed to | | | | businessstarted, do the necessary initial marketing, and |
| informationproducts that can be instantly downloaded), | | | | keep yourhead above water until the profits begin to |
| they have to payshipping costs and forego the instant | | | | arrive? |
| gratification thatcomes from a purchase made locally. | | | | == Do you have the expertise or can you quickly learn |
| That's what it looks like from the consumer's | | | | theexpertise you'll need in your niche? |
| perspective. | | | | == Can you organize, manage and supervise? |
| What does it look like from the businessman's? | | | | == Do you have vision? Can you think ahead, |
| Well, the businessman can reach customers around | | | | anticipate, andplan for the future? |
| the worldinstead of being confined to a small | | | | Don't just brush over these questions. Give them |
| geographical area. | | | | seriousconsideration. Your future depends on the |
| There's no physical storefront to maintain. Initially,there's | | | | effort you putinto laying the proper foundation, and the |
| no need for employees (though as the | | | | first step is tounderstand your own strengths and |
| businessexpands, employees can always be added). | | | | weaknesses. Answer thesequestions honestly. |
| You can get started part time for relatively | | | | |