WHY A SMALL BUSINESS CAN DO
BIG BUSINESS ON THE WEB
No doubt about it. Online
business is booming. As more people learn how to use a computer and surf the
net – and as shopping online become easier, safer, and more commonplace – an increasing
number of people are going to be buying their iPods, purchasing deck plans, or
hiring a life coach online.
A web-based business is any
business that is conducted primarily on a website, rather than a traditional
physical location. Many websites sell products and services, such as knitting
patterns or bookkeeping advice. A web-based business can also make money
through affiliate programs and advertising.
You can sell just anything
from a website these days:
- All kinds of products, such as e-book, snowboards, and even industrial pumps.
- All types of subscriptions and registrations, such as club memberships, newsletters, seminars, and online software.
- All types of services, such as virtual assistants, life coaching, and human resource consulting.
I even know of a website that
sells airplanes online!
And you don’t even have to
sell anything to make money. You can build a website around an interest,
passion, or expertise and earn revenues through affiliate products and
advertising.
Another reason why a small
business can do big business on the web is the growth in the ease use of
Internet transactions. A growing number of people are comfortable paying for
thing online. And it’s never been easier for web-based business owners to
accept credit cards, PyPal, and other popular forms of payment right off the
website!
Overall, a web-based business
is cheaper and easier to start and run than its brick-and-mortar cousin. Unlike
an office or retail store, you don’t have to maintain a physical location for
your customers to access. Indeed, the overwhelming majority of web-based
business owners run their operations out of their homes.
There’s no doubt about it.
Starting a web-based business can be alluring. But don’t get fooled into
thinking the road to success is always going to be smooth. It takes plenty of work
to get this type of business off the ground and operating profitably. But once
you do, a successful web-based business is a beautiful thing!