How to start an Internet-based business

Internet-based businesses are an effective way of making a living. With little or no overheads, selecting the right business idea can be profitable and satisfying. An online business can be set up relatively easily with little cost, other than that of a website and domain name.

Research

The first thing you need to do if you are thinking of starting an Internet-based business is to do some research for the following: - Your proposed business idea. - Potential customers. - The market to ascertain whether your idea is viable. - How much it is going to cost to start up, from your website related costs to buying in stock if you are going to sell products. - Competitors: Are there many businesses offering the same kind of thing? - Whether you intend to sell goods, services or both.
How are you going to market your business to your target customers? - Look at similar companies to see how they operate and the kinds of things they offer. Tips This research will be invaluable when you come to set up your online business, try not to copy or imitate a similar company, offer something unique to your customers, discounts if they reccommend a friend, or a loyalty discount are just a few ideas to keep customers once that they have made an initial purchase.

Set up a website

An Internet-based business inevitably needs a website in order to earn money online. In order to do this, you will need to set up a domain unique to your business and purchase web hosting. This is relatively easy and cheap to do, and shouldn’t take long. Web hosting companies If you do not want to set up your website by yourself, you can commission a web hosting company such as Nemo Designs Limited or KD Web to set up your domain name and website for you.

Internet business ideas

The list of web-based business ideas is never ending, but here are just a few: - Selling a product such as hand-made jewelry - Web design - Administration or virtual assistant - Researcher - Writer - Genealogist - Web business for sale - Setting up a drop-ship website Important information Remember, if you are setting up any business and are getting paid for providing goods or services, you will need to register as self-employed with the HMRC.