by Heinrich Muller

Created on: November 23, 2009   Last Updated: November 25, 2009

The current economical situation that we are in has created an environment of change and a lot of new entrepreneurs. This is largely due to layoffs, retrenchments and insolvent businesses. One of the easier and less costly options available to entrepreneurs is starting an online business. This article will touch on some of the basic concepts regarding the start-up of a new online business.

Deciding on a Business Model

It is crucial that you make the correct decision when deciding on the type of business that you want to start. Mistakes at this point can be disastrous. Here are some key points:

Can you meet the need? You need to have some knowledge of the business that you want to enter into. You cannot decide to become a Financial Consultant if you do not have any experience or knowledge in the finance field (Balancing your monthly household expenses does not make you an expert). Is there a market for this business? Research the market to determine the level of competition and need for the type of service or product that you want to promote. Can you compete in this market? If you search the keywords associated with your model on Google you will be able to see the level of competition. If you are going to compete against 38 560 000 service providers you might need to rethink your business model. By using Google Adwords Keyword Tool you will be able to determine the volume of searches for the keywords associated with your new business model. This will indicate possible markets to target. Niche products or services are always a good bet and easier to succeed with. Blogs and forums can be an excellent source of ideas for a new business. Stay away from "Get Rich Quick" schemes. Research the legal requirements associated with the type of business that you want to start-up and always make sure that you are protected and that your risk management is in place.

Designing your Website

There are various options available when designing your website. You can use one of the free website hosting services and create your own site with the tools they provide, or you can pay someone to design your website for you and pay for the hosting. Both of these options have advantages and disadvantages. In the end you need to look at your business model and personal situation to make the right choice for you.

In this article we will not be looking at all of the website designing techniques or options but will focus on the key SEO requirements that your website needs to comply with.

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