Deep in thought
I'm thinking of starting a company. An internet company. More than that I'm not ready to say just yet. But I wrote a business plan in college for it, had it looked over by an accountant, and I think I did pretty well. Of course, I'm not entirely sure where that business plan went, but still.
So, where do I start? I have the idea, the name, the plan, even the tagline (look up, waaaaaaayyyy up *Grin*). I have a mission statement. I know what I want to sell. I'm pretty sure I have the talent to make a darn good product.
What I don't know... how does one start a business? Do I just set up a website and start selling? I don't know a lot about e-commerce. I mean, it looks like I just say, ok. here's my product. Buy it. You can pay me by paypal or credit card. Right? But there's probably a lot of background stuff that I don't know.
So here's my question. If you run a business on the internet, how did you start? What references did you use before you started? Any tips you can give me? Or did you just hang a shingle and say, here I am?
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16 Comments:
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Michele sent me today :)
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Well I have my own internet business (http://www.mystickalincense.com ) and really it's just a matter of "hang a shingle". Now if you are planning on making a whole BUNCH of money, I would suggest you get a local business license and look into making it a "real business". But like my internet store, I don't even make $1000 a year, so I don't really bother with any of that.
It does take some time to set up a shop though, and advertise it and all. When I started my e-business I had already owned and operated about 3 dozen websites, so I already pretty well knew what I was doing. I created the store, loaded it with products, and just advertised the heck out of it. And that's about that.
I wish you the best of luck though, in whatever business route you choose to start!
, at 11:27 a.m.
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I don't have any first hand experience, but many hosting sites offer e-commerce functions, such as checkouts, etc. As far as store design, there are many templates available, just as you have templates for blog sites. Go for it!! You already have a plan.
By , at 11:36 a.m.
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I have noticed quite a few bloggers use cafepress.com to sell their stuff intially - but I think you have everything there to run a very good internet shop :-)
By
I would start with a search on Google [wink]
Don't forget to tell us how to get there :-) oh and international delivery for us bloggers!
cq
craziequeen, at 11:43 a.m.
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It's easy, apparently to be a dotcom millionaire. The trouble is, the money goes just as fast.
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Michele sent me here. Jean-Luc Picard, at 11:59 a.m.
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I have no knowledge of that kind of thing, so can't help ya there, but I can say good luck!!! Michele sent me!
By Lisa, at 12:43 p.m.
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Not a clue I'm afraid, but good luck. Here from Michele's this evening.
By Paste, at 1:08 p.m.
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What you need to do depends on local ordinance and state laws. If you intend to accept checks with your business name on them, yu'll need a business checking account, and in most places that means having a business license.
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If you want to be able to deduct expenses for this business on your taxes, you will probably need a business license.
Start with your local chamber of commerce; chances are they can get you pointed in the right direction, tell you what forms you need, what licensing you need (city, state, if you need a certificate of home occupancy to run a business out of your home, etc.) Thumper, at 1:42 p.m.
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I don't know a lot about E commerce, but we opened our own business 3 yrs ago and have never looked back. GO FOR IT. I've seen a lot of people that "try" their idea by selling it on E-Bay and then go on to have an E-Bay store. Might give that a thought. Maximum exposure with minimum investment. Good luck.
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Here from Michele Malinda777, at 1:44 p.m.
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If I had anything to add here, I would. Unfortunatley, I've been asking myself the same question, lol! Good luck to you :)
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Here from Michele's. Carolyn, at 2:02 p.m.
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Well, Michele sent me but I have nothing to add here because not only do I not work but everything I do on the internet costs ME money! But I wish you the best of luck!
By Karen, at 4:49 p.m.
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I cant help you at all sorry but Michele sent me. I LOVE the look and color of your blog.
By Zephra, at 5:23 p.m.
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I could talk your ear off for hours about appropriate web architecture for e-commerce-enabled sites. But I might get too geeky for my own good!
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I admire your courage in pursuing this. I wish I had the guts to strike out on my own. Maybe I'll watch you and follow your lead. carmilevy, at 5:26 p.m.
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I'm still trying to figure out how to set up a blog!
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Good luck with your business venture!
Here via Michele's Ramona, at 5:29 p.m.
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I don't run an internet business, but I do sell all the books I read on Amazon marketplace and it is quite easy to make a little bit of pocket money on the side. I think you should just go for it. Live the dream!! Best of luck. I'm sure you will be fine.
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By the way, Michele sent me! , at 6:09 p.m.
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You could do a business plan formally on paper with a consultant of who your client would be, how you reach them, a marketing plan, decide how much time you will spend, as if you were getting a business loan. You may need to adjust it as you go along.
By , at 4:22 p.m.
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i say you set up your website and start advertising! post your web addy on your blog... add it to your sig line in email... start out by taking paypal and see how that goes... post testimonials on your website... have a guestbook...
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just do it! good luck! Jennifer, at 10:47 a.m.
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