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How to start a small online business by yourself
by Bobbi Hunter
Created on: May 06, 2008
Starting an online business by yourself requires you think about what you like to do, what you cannot stand doing, the financial startup cost, your patience and stamina level. They will all figure into what kind of business you should start by yourself.
An online business needs a solid business plan. If you truly want your business to succeed, you will need to have a determination to make it succeed. It will not happen by itself. You will need to work and work hard.
CRUCIAL RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS
* Better Business Bureau (bbb.org)
* Counselors to America's Small Business (score.org)
* Small Office/Home Office (soho.org)
* The Small Business Training Network (sba.gov/training)
* The National Association For The Self-Employed (nase.org)
Running a business from your computer opens a vast number of doors and opportunities. Small businesses usually begin, and are run by individuals. I started an online retail business and ran it by myself for four years. It was a very gratifying experience.
There are many benefits in starting a small online business by yourself. You decide what kind of business you want to start, how many hours you work and when you will work.
BUSINESS STARTUP OPTIONS
* Selling your handmade crafts on your website
* Selling crafts or resell items on an auction site such as eBay
* Freelance writing
* Become a reseller of hosting, movies, or software
* Create a virtual pet supply store
* Become a virtual assistant
* Join an home-based business
Whatever you decide to start as an online business, determine to yourself to do it well. Do your homework. Research the business in and out. Know what you are doing. When a customer or client asks you a question, you should know the answer. Become an expert in your field or craft.
BASICS IN STARTING A SMALL ONLINE BUSINESS
WEBSITE CREATION
Now that you know what kind of business you want to run, you are ready to get a website. If you do not feel or know how to create a website on your own, hire someone good. You do not want it to appear incomplete. It would look jumbled or like an amateur created it. Make sure the person or company has experience with creating keyword rich content for you.
SITE AND URL NAME
You will need to pick out a great name. The web address or URL is very important. It should consist of keywords that describe your business or your products. This will help people find you when they search for your product.
MERCHANT ACCOUNT
You will next need a great way of accepting payments online. You can, by all means,
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