Do you have an idea, hobby or craft you think you can sell on the internet? Do you feel a little intimidated starting your own web business? Have you been a little overwhelmed trying to understand how to start your business? Would you like to see who your potential competition would be? Are you interested how many potential clients are searching the internet for an craft like yours? Would you like to see a business plan and checklist that streamlines your business launch efforts?
You can do this very cost effectively!
Take a look at the internet and check out some of these products for sale: •Tumbleweed. Yes, there are businesses selling tumbleweeds! (Prairie TumbleweedFarm.Com •Custom crutches. (LemonaidCrutches.Com) •Purses made from old record albums (RecordPurse.Com)
Just 3 examples that show the internet is the mother-of-all-markets. If you have an idea and are willing to invest the time and energy ypou can have a successful and thriving internet business!
Read on for a quick primer on the steps to start your own internet business. Most internet entrepreneurs are neophytes in the realm of e-commerce. These people mainly want to know 2 items before they launch into their business idea : 1) Does anyone else have an idea similar to mine? 2) Are there any potential clients searching for an idea like mine?
This is a natural instinct, however, in the realm of internet business these two questions present a difficult problem set: cost and time In order to research your idea you make a decision to either: 1) Do the research yourself or 2) Pay for a market and competitive analysis The trade-off is clear. Either sacrifice your time or sacrifice you cash.
So, after you successfully research your market idea and competitors, what’s next? If you’re new to the world of e-commerce you will need to be educated on the basics of Internet commerce.
You will need to know the basic tenants operating your own internet business. These tenants include: 1) The basic fundamentals for running an e-business 2) Researching and selectinga unique domain name 3) Selecting a reputable,scalable and cost-effective host provider 4) Selecting a reputable and personable merchant account provider 5) Understand the basics of shopping carts,(SEO) Search Engine optimization and website security. 6) Designing and building your web site. 7) Selecting which business entity is right for you! 8) Build awareness on what your monthly “total†costs will look like!
The internet can be a hostile, cold and un-forgiving environment especially when you don’t know who you can trust.
The sole responsibility for making these decisions is yours. Be a savvy consumer, get some exposure to e-commerce before you dive-in.
When you have researched and selected your hosting and merchant account partners it’s time to get down to business. You need to have a plan. What are the checklist items? 1) As mentioned previously, do you research on your idea and competition. 2) Get some training in e-commerce. 3) Set up your e-business infrastructure • Select your business name • Register your business name • Select your domain name • Identify your business location. • Check ordinances or home owners CC&R’s for home based businesses • Generate your logo 4) Get the Legal stuff out of the way • File for patents, trademarks or copywrites • Determine which business entity is right for you ( sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC or corporation) • Obtain the necessary permits and certificates ( health department permit, re-sale certificate, etc ) • Verify that you’re PCI compliant. • Obtain your EIN number from the Federal Government 5) Determine the scope of your e-commerce business • Will you operate as a non-profit organization? • Will you operate on a worldwide basis? 6) Website Design and Integration • Include an appropriate amount of time for designing, editing and quality assurance. • Be aware of the time investment for application integration. ( shopping carts, blogs, forums etc ) 7) Launch your website • Submit you site to the web’s multiple number of search engines • Execute a ranking improvement campaign • Execute an advertising campaign • Continue to search and appeal for quality customers through an SEO campaign. 8) Testing your website • Ensure your website’s compatibility and view with Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Safari, Opera and more. • Test for missing links etc 9)Set up your shipping and business materials • Determine your best option or set of shipping options such as UPS, United States Postal Service, DHL and FedEx. • Generate your collateral materials such as Business identity print materials, displays and business cards, etc. 10) Factor in business sustaining • Allocate time and investment into your business’s upkeep and sustaining. • Constantly review your overhead costs and initiate cost reduction projects.
This seems to be a lot of work. Relax, There is an internet solution that provides all your introductory business needs. You get low-cost market and competitive research, ecommerce training and an execution plan and checklist.
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WebJeb.Com,LLC mission is to provide exceptional mentoring small internet e-business startups. We provide cost-effective programs on e-commerce training, business execution plans, competitive analyses and market analysis using your own idea. We know starting your internet business should not cost an arm and a leg. Check us out at www.webjeb.com!
