No doubt having heard about a neighbor or acquaintance who just started an “online business”, a lot of people are talking about doing so themselves.
When I ask what business they are in (offline), I usually get an answer that indicates that they are in no business at all. They are ready to start one, though.
Fair enough.
But then they don’t start one.
Why?
Because businesses (and yes, online businesses too) don’t just magically appear one day.
As with all things, a business will be born after deciding what you want to do and planning how to do it.
Thankfully, you don’t need a business degree (or any degree) to set up a website or run a business.
An important thing to remember though, is that setting up a website is not necessarily an online business.
Sometimes a website is simply an online presence – a space on the web which provides information about the business you run in the real world.
If it’s truly an online business you want – one in which you take orders and/or provide services through a website, you will need some knowledge about core business practices and current web technology.
Apparently, this scares a lot of people. And yet there is nothing to fear.
Basic business practices can be learned quickly by simply reading a few good books on the subject.
On the other hand, if you just don’t want to be bothered with certain (required) steps, then you can just pay an expert to do them for you. The choice is yours.
Specifically, if you want to start an online business you (or your expert) will want to:
- Decide what business you are in and focus on it.
- Identify your market. (Those people who may be interested in your product)
- Devise a marketing plan.
- Produce a product or service that people are buying.
- Find a reliable web hosting service.
- Select a payment processor or eCommerce platform.
- Design and maintain a Website.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. ~ Lao-tzu
In the next series of posts here, we’ll be looking at these steps more closely.
In the meantime, if you truly want to explore the notion of running some sort of business (offline or online) grab one of these great books, and start reading:
What Business Should I Start?: 7 Steps to Discovering the Ideal Business for You
So, You Want to Start a Business?: 8 Steps to Take Before Making the Leap
