So you want to start an Internet home business ... This has become a popular choice in recent years -
and understandably so. It can be run entirely from your home (no more commuting or
dressing up to go to work!), and your income potential is virtually unlimited.
Running a business on the Internet can be relatively cheap, if you're willing to do some learning.
You'll have to spend some extra cash up-front, of course, to get started. But once you're on your way
your main expense could very well be advertising - and the Internet offers several ways to promote your
business, dirt cheap.
| What Do You Need To Get Started? |
Count on the following as start-up costs.
- A reasonably good (but not extravagant) computer. You don't need something with all sorts of cool little features, but do get something with a reasonably fast modem (28.8kbps or better) - after all, you'll be spending a lot of time connected to the Internet!
- Internet access. You'll need to find an Internet Service Provider (ISP) so that you can connect to the Internet.
- An HTML editor. You don't have to have one, but you'll find life is a whole lot easier with one. An excellent HTML editor which I highly recommend is HomeSite.
- A permit or license. Check with your city, province/state to see if they require you to purchase a permit or license for operating a business out of your home.
- Company registration fees. You might want to register a company name for your business, even if you're a sole proprietor.
- One or two reference books. If you're going to run an Internet home business, you should learn to program your own HTML. If you want to get fancy, you can also invest in a book or two on CGI scripts.
- One or two Internet business manuals or ebooks. Trial and error can take a long time and cost you a lot of money; invest in a good manual to teach you the basics of making money on the web. I highly recommend
one called Make Your Site Sell! (MYSS!). MYSS! covers the 3 essentials of an online business: an effective website, targeted traffic, and a high-quality
product.
If you need to start right from the very beginning - in other words, learn more about computers and the Internet before you even begin to
think about all the rest - I recommend OutSource2000's eCommerce CD. Click here for more information.
- Furniture, if you don't already have it. Don't go overboard; just get what you need to work comfortably in your home. A good computer desk, possibly a printer, and good lighting is usually enough to start with.
Your Step-By-Step Guide to Starting a Business Online!
Want to start a home business on the Internet, but don't know
how? Overwhelmed by those never-ending manuals, filled to
the brim with useless information? Tired of the hype, and just
want to get started NOW? Click here!
| Other Start-Up Costs To Consider |
There are other costs you could incur, although they're not necessary. However, if you're serious about
doing business on the Internet, I'd strongly suggest that you make the investment up-front.
- Domain name registration. Yes, you can get a website completely free, hosted on one of many free hosts
floating around the Internet (eg. FreeYellow, Geocities). But your business will seem much more credible if you have
a domain name like http://www.yourCompany.com rather than http://www.bigFreeDomainName.com/users/~yourName/yourPage.html.
Registration is done through Network Solutions (previously InterNic). You type in the name you want, and if it's available,
you register it. Registration is currently US$70 for the first two years (non-refundable and payable in advance); US$35/year afterwards.
- Hosting services. If you do purchase your own domain, you'll need to find an ISP to host it. Check around for
the right web hosting provider; don't just go with the cheapest! Look for superior customer service (is it 24 hours a day,
7 days a week?), how much space they give you, how many email accounts or aliases they provide, whether or not they give you
autoresponders, and so on. Do your research.
The reason I suggest that you do this stuff up front if you're serious about doing business on the Internet is this:
You're going to have to promote your website. If you initially use one of the free websites and spend all your time and effort
promoting it - then later decide to get your own domain - you're going to have to start building your traffic from scratch. That's
a LOT of time and effort!
But figure out what's right for you. If you're not sure an Internet home business is for you, maybe using one of these free sites
is best, for now. Then if you decide that yes, you are going to go with it, then you can register your domain and purchase web hosting
services. Just be aware that you'll have to re-promote your website!
Many people worry about learning to program HTML and believe that
this is going to be their biggest obstacle in starting an Internet home business.
Don't worry too much about it.
Don't get me wrong; it's important that you have an effective, friendly, easy-to-use website - but learning HTML
is relatively simple. There are even HTML editors out there that will allow you to create websites without knowing a single
line of HTML.
So, to be brief, HTML is not a problem. You will have to learn how to create an effective website,
though. You can get more information on a fabulous manual by sending an email to
buildbiz2@SmartBotPRO.net.
| What Product Can You Sell? |
Maybe you already have a product in mind; if so, great!
If not, then you need to think of something that sells well on the Internet. For example, information
products such as reports or books sell well over the Internet ... but something like wedding dresses, for example,
may not.
One method of getting your Internet home business off to a quick start is to join an affiliate program.
In a nutshell, affiliate programs allow you to receive a commission for promoting and selling another company's products. They handle all the
inventory, shipping, and customer service; your job is to get the word out and try to sell their product. For more information on affiliate programs,
click here.
| Advertising and Promotion Costs |
Promoting your website is essential to the success of your Internet home business. Advertising and promotion costs
will be the bulk of your business expenses once you get off the ground.
Generally, you'll incur costs for placing ads (whether online or offline in the "real world"), and for any
website promotion software you may decide to purchase.
Visit our section on promoting your business. You can find it under the Increase Your Profits
section in the left margin.
Advertising is the lifeblood your business - do it well and YOU'LL do well on the web!
