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, allow your customers to send you a check as payment, but you need to setup a policy concerning holding the check until it clears.

I, after many years of using their services, suggest PayPal.com. They are user-friendly and integrate well with websites. You can also accept payments for your auction sales with them.

MARKETING FREE AND LOW COST

Once you are all setup, you will need to market. This is as crucial step in your business succeeding. After all, if no one knows about you, no one will buy from you.

If you are tight on funds, start out by network marketing. Network marketing is free and very beneficial to your business. Go to forums, blogs, and social networks such as, Facebook.com, Ryze.com, Ning.com, and create your own profile on 360 at Yahoo.com.

Join as many networks and neighborhoods as you can. Invite people to be your friend. Leave posts and comments. You will be able to leave your site or product information with URL in your comments, bio, or signature line.

Pay for some pay per click advertising. Watch this closely. It can drain your pocket book if you do not put a limit on the spending.

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR ROI (Return on Investment)

You should keep a spreadsheet of your spending verses your profit. Keep all your receipts. There are many things that you can right off in your tax return. Seek a professional tax advisor for further information.

When you begin to make a profit put the profit back into marketing the business for a time. This will greatly pay off and you will be able to enjoy a much larger profit in due time.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Customer service is another vital aspect in having a successful and profitable business. It is key to have excellent customer service. A bad report can spread like wild fire. Treat your customers with genuine respect and kindness. Be courteous to them. Try to understand their point of view and their needs.

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