Posted on 07/28/2010 8:40:00 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Today's economy isn't doing anyone any favors, and if you're one of the unfortunate folks to have been served a layoff notice, you might be facing a long haul when it comes to searching for another job. Is now the right moment to put your long-lingering business idea into practice? While times may be tight for many larger enterprises, in many cases smaller, more-nimble companies are better able to withstand market uncertainty and weather downturns.
The best way to stick it to The Man? Start working for yourself by founding your own company. Working for yourself has some serious and obvious advantages over job hunting. Not only do you determine your own hours and decide where you set up your office, but you keep all the profits too.
Starting your own business doesn't have to mean spending thousands of dollars on setup costs before you ever open your doors. Don't get suckered into spending loads of money on services that you don't need or that have far cheaper alternatives. Seriously: With $100, you can obtain everything you require to start just about any business online, with only minimal need to get up from your desk. Here's how to do it.
Find an Affordable Web Host
The Web site for your new business has to reside somewhere. How do you pick a Web host that won't leave you high and dry?
Most hosting plans for small companies offer similar features: basically unlimited storage space, support for common databases and publishing systems, and anywhere from a few gigabytes to 2 terabytes of data transfer per month. Expect to pay between $5 and $15 a month for the service, with a one- or two-year up-front contract.
How to pick one from the dozens out there?
(Excerpt) Read more at pcworld.com ...
bump for later
As an online retailer for the last 7 years. I can tell you it takes years to get a truly money making website.
Google takes at least 4-6 month to even get a new domain on its search engine.
Amazon is way to costly to even use. 15 to 20% of a 35% markup then you can take 3% for the credit card fee. That doesn't leave much of a profit.
The book, marked is.
An online business is “something,” but there are also thousands of jobs that people advertise to do off the grid on craigslist.org under their Services option.
Check out what others are doing to hustle up some quick cash; it might give you a good idea.
If you’d critique it’s points, we’d appreciate it. Please relate your true-life experiences. Thanks!!
Wha??? Nothing could be further from the truth! My website was indexed (my own domain) the same month I bought it. You have to do on-page as well as off-page SEO, get backlinked, etc.
And..7 years to make money online?! Try 4-7 MONTHS, if you are dedicated. Work 8-10 hours a day, run campaigns and do your keyword research like your life depended on it, you will make money. GOOD money. And you will get ranked very well. Granted, it takes money to make money online, but people have been doing this for a LONG time and I can tell you it does NOT take 7 years!
Do NOT use Google. For anything. Use Yahoo, MSAdcenter, hell even 7Search. Google will slap you into tomorrow with their insane, ever-changing algorithms and maddening rules.
How about the UPS driver leaving $3k worth of product on the front porch (and it disappeared) without getting it signed for even thought the lables says Signature required.
Delivery drivers who cant follow derections and leave $1500 worth of batteries with some guy named Mike . My customers name is Todd.
I could go on and on.
save
8-10 hours a day. your not working much.
The east coast guys start calling about 7:30 am their time that's 4:30 am here in Calif.
The guys in Hawaii call at 6pm their time that's 9pm here thats a 16-17 hour day. Plus the 100+ emails per day I have to answer. Every day seven days a week.
Then with 5000+ products that I have on my website (each one takes about 5 minutes to add.) I have to make sure that my pricing is correct. every 90 days. That alone is a never ending job that is done everyday.
Yeah I just sit on the beach drinking Pina coldas watching my bank account grow.
Every site I've built in the last couple years is indexed in Google within 2 - 3 days. Of course, the optimization work continues from there to bring it higher in the rankings, but for the stuff I've done, that didn't take but a few weeks.
Believe it or not, I've done pretty decent from time to time with quick affiliate marketing campaigns on facebook and myspace.
It's easy to get discouraged with the number of "get rich quick" schemes out there, but once you find the right product or service (outside the schemes), it can be a fun & rewarding endeavor.
As for sitting on the beach, drinking pina coladas, I have yet to do that. I have, however, been afforded the opportunity to take a couple nice little getaways with the wife thanks to some of my online endeavors. When it all comes down to it, it really is a matter of your drive and determination, and lots of research.
I think my biggest problem with this article is the part about starting for $100. Sure, it can be done, but in any endeavor, one of your biggest expenses is going to be advertising, and I don't know any business that can survive with an advertising budget like that. Free services can be used, but should be a part of a diversified ad campaign.
Just my 2 cents.
Yeah, it’s possible to start up a web business with only $100 and make money. If you’ve =already= got skills worth about $70-120k/year, even in the present economy.
If not, expect to pay more and wait longer before things start covering their costs.
Never mind that it’s cheaper and takes less in the way of technical skills to start turning a profit in a whole lot of non-online businesses...
Good stuff, thanks
What type of products or services are selling online these days?
Somewhat tech related, with some decent discussion. I know these types of convo can be touchy, but it sounds like some common sense internet entrepreneurs are on board.
Thank you.
No problem. If you are considering an online business, or just a personal site, I can turn you on to some of the very affordable services that I use and trust. Just let me know.
I appreciate that very much. I think I know where to find you, L~
I say this as someone doing technical writing and digital publishing part time / at night after kids are down. I have multiple listings on Amazon. They take 33%, but I have no one to pay but myself.
OH-BOY-O-BAMA A DIORAMA OF OBAMA JOKES http://www.amazon.com/OH-BOY-O-BAMA-DIORAMA-OBAMA-Wilhite-ebook/dp/B002HRFBTY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1280452917&sr=1-1
SETI in Reverse (Kindle Edition) http://www.amazon.com/SETI-in-Reverse-ebook/dp/B0011G4EDG/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1280453053&sr=1-7
Sirat: Through the Fires of Hell (Kindle Edition) http://www.amazon.com/Sirat-Through-Fires-Hell-ebook/dp/B0019D1966/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1280453053&sr=1-2
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