I want to start a business/service making homemade invitations/announcements (for weddings, babies, birthdays, etc). I want to start out small and see if it grows into anything (i.e., online only). I would like to create a website detailing my services, but how do I find out how to create my webpage where people can put in their payment info securely and i get paid this way? Do need to do anything about letting the IRS know I have this business and that I am getting additional income from it? I really don't know much about starting an online business... any detailed information (or websites) would be helpful. I have done searches on the web but have only found high level info (like how to write a business plan, think about who your target customers are, etc). I'm looking for more detailed info like how to build my webpage, how to register my biz name, how to set-up receving payments, if I need to trademark anything, etc. Thanks in advance!
2006-07-02 08:20:13 · 6 answers · asked by Gritz M 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
The Small Business Adminisrtation has all the answers to all of your questions
2006-07-02 08:24:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Go for the internet business which require less of your time and the one that will not make you feel headache with web designing or which require IT knowledge. Second, choose the internet based company which offer you the opportunity and at the same time giving you the convenience to start the business where all the things are automated. Third, choose the business which does not require big money to start it.
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Remember, You CAN'T guarantee whether you will get many fish or not by spreading your net into the sea, but u CAN guarantee that there is no fish at all if you never spread your net into the sea.
2006-07-04 04:48:58 · answer #2 · answered by carmeehoon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.
I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.
Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:
* What No One Ever Tells You about Starting Your Own Business: Real-Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs (What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business) by Jan Norman
* Business Start-Up Kit by Steven D. Strauss
* Start Your Own Business (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) by Rieva Lesonsky
* Starting an Online Business For Dummies, 4th Edition by Greg Holden
* How to Start and Maintain A Successful Online Business by Kelly Thornton
* The Complete E-Commerce Book: Design, Build, and Maintain a Successful Web-Based Business by Janice Reynolds
There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.
To register a trademark, contact either your Secretary of State for a State trademark or the US Patent & Trademark Office for a Federal trademark.
If you are only conducting business in one state, then a State trademark is most appropriate. If you conduct business in at least 2 states OR between the US & any other country, you can file for a Federal trademark.
Prior to investing your time, money & effort into a name, it is strongly advised that comprehensive research be conducted to ensure that the name you're interested in is truly available.
This entails searching the pending & registered Federal and State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files. Then, if clear, you can decide if you would like to file for a Federal or a State trademark.
Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
2006-07-03 03:33:27 · answer #3 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a local web designer that understands internet marketing. I teach internet marketing in Louisville, KY and tell my students the following...they are my 6 steps to online success.
1. Register a Great Domain Name
2. Develop a User-Friendly Website
3. Establish Reliable Web Hosting
4. Position Your Website in the Search Engines
5. Use Permission-Based Email Marketing
6. Track Your Website Statistics
I hope these help you...
2006-07-02 16:44:16 · answer #4 · answered by James 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So many people think the intenet is going to be the answer to all their selling problems. It's like a Kevin Costner movie "If you build it, they will come." Before you spend a lot of time and effort, why not do some "old fashioned" trial marketing. Check out the wedding shops, bakery shops, baby stores, etc. in your area and see if you can't set up an arrangement with them - they promote you, you promote them. Perhaps you can leave some flyers/brochures/samples with them.
You'll know whether or not to invest more in a few weeks to a few months. If you can't sell it locally, the internet won't help.
2006-07-02 08:44:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first step is to register your domain.
Once that step is complete you can drop me a line.
Top 4 Answerer in Business & Finance. (Vote for me)
2006-07-02 08:46:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋