Book Description:
So you want to own your own business, be your own boss, set your ownhours, and make real money. If you’re comfortable with computers andhave a marketable idea, service, or product, this guide will help youbecome an ontrepreneur (online entrepreneur). It covers everything youneed to know to set up shop in cyberspace. You’ll find out about usingestablished storefronts as a shortcut (sort of like setting up shop ina huge, established cybermall) or building your own Web site fromscratch. You’ll explore:
* Doing research, defining your niche and target market, and putting it together in a practical business plan
* Getting the hardware and software you’ll need to get going
* Creating your own Web site with good organization, usefulcontent, and eye-catching design, including ten must-have features andinfo on clip art and photos
* Selecting a Web hosting service (with info on free Web site homesteading)
* Setting up for handling business online, including building insecurity, accepting charge cards, creating shopping carts, and more
* Managing your goods and services, including sourcing goods, handling returns, adding shipping fees, and maintaining inventory
* Taking advantage of successful online business models, includingstorefronts such as Amazon.com, Yahoo!, CafePress, PayPal, or Microsoftthat already have all the tools and systems, plus great traffic
* Running a business on eBay
* Marketing your business and the secrets to search engine success
* Keeping good business records and staying on the right side ofthe law, including everything from trademarks , copyrights, andlicensing to taxes, with info on accounting tools and software
Written by e-biz whiz Greg Holden, Starting an Online Business ForDummies, Fourth Edition has all kinds of case studies of successfulcyber businesses, including a woman who sells her own insect repellent,a mapmaker, a housewife who sells sweetener and coffee on eBay, asculptor and painter, and more. Packed with inspiration andinformation, it includes:
* Lots of Web sites that will give you good ideas
* A companion Web site that includes an online directory of Internet business resources
* A list of legal and business requirements
Get going, and build a booming business right at home. The onlypeople you’ll have to take orders from are customers, and those are thekind of orders you’ll like!
