The inside scoop... for when you want more than the official line If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and want to capitalize on the fastest growing marketplace ever, the Web, this is the book for you. From choosing the product or service you offer to designing your website to marketing and managing your online venture, this guide gives you step-by-step guidance and helps you avoid common pitfalls. You don't have to be a computer guru or programmer, and you don't have to invest big bucks, thanks to the unbiased recommendations, practical guidance, and insider savvy this book puts at your fingertips. Updated with advice from experts, current statistics, new tips and strategies, and information about hundreds of resources, this guide gets you in business online with: Vital Information on choosing a unique product or service and targeting a specific niche market Insider Secrets from entrepreneurs who have launched successful online businesses Money-Saving Techniques, including using services from Yahoo , Microsoft, eBay, and others to create a small-business website Time-Saving Tips for obtaining prominent listing placement on search engines and in Web directories and information portals The Latest Trends in online advertising, marketing, and branding, plus the online auction phenomenon Handy Checklists to help you create and operate your online business
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, John
ISBN-10
0471748382
ISBN-13
9780471748380
eBay Product ID (ePID)
48051750
Product Key Features
Book Title
Starting a Business Online
Author
Jason R. Rich
Format
Trade Paperback
Language
English
Features
Revised
Topic
E-Commerce / General (See Also Computers / Electronic Commerce)
Publication Year
2006
Genre
Business & Economics
Number of Pages
456 Pages
Dimensions
Item Length
8.2in
Item Height
0.9in
Item Width
5.2in
Item Weight
14.9 Oz
Additional Product Features
Series Volume Number
155
Lc Classification Number
Hf5548.32.R52 2006
Edition Description
Revised Edition
Edition Number
2
Table of Content
About the Author.Introduction.I In Business, Preparation Is Everything.1 Making the Right Business Choices.What's involved with starting an online business?Is an online-based business right for you?How best to invest your time and money.Which business ideas are best suited to the Web?Defining your business idea.Should you give up your day job?Establishing your existing business on the Web.Be careful what you get involved in.E-commerce in the new millennium.Just the facts.2 Laying the Groundwork for Your Online Business.Starting your business: some considerations.Developing a business plan.Getting help-people and software.Elements of a business plan.Seeking expert business advice.Setting up an office.Just the facts.3 Your Online Biz's Finances.Benefits plans and compensation packages.A few words about hiring employees.Should you incorporate?Other considerations involved with launching a business.What needs to be done before going online?Planning your business operations.Setting up a merchant account.Acquiring a merchant account: strategies from Aria Financial Corporation.Ten strategies for obtaining a merchant account.Financing your business.Just the facts.4 Planning Your Site.Making your site look professional.The first steps in developing your site.Developing your site's basic layout.Choosing the perfect content.Types of graphic files.Graphics programs.Choosing website-creation software or a turnkey e-commerce solution.e-commerce software solutions for small online businesses.Complete turnkey solutions for website design and operation.eBay ProStores: another turnkey e-commerce solution.eBay ProStores add-on services.osCommerce: a totally free, yet powerful, website-design solution.The scoop on copyrights.Avoiding the most common Web design mistakes.Using outside creative talent.Just the facts.II Getting Your Business Online.5 Selecting and Registering Your Domain Name.Understanding domain name syntax.Choosing your domain name.Domain parking is available: plan ahead.Determine whether a domain name is available.Registering your domain name is easy.What to do if the domain name you want is taken.Getting help registering your domain name.Consider the costs.Just the facts.6 Selecting Your Host: The Ins and Outs of ISPs.The costs associated with going online.Services you need at prices you can afford.A typical website hosting offer.All-in-one turnkey solutions.Getting technical support from your ISP.Finding an ISP/Web-hosting service.The computer equipment you need in-house.Just the facts.III An Internet Presence for Existing and New Businesses.7 Expanding Your Existing Business into Cyberspace.The basic steps for getting online.How virtual and traditional businesses differ.Creating an online presence for a traditional business.Converting hard-copy assets into an electronic format.What features your business could offer on the Web.Spreading the word about your online presence.Just the facts.8 Fine-Tuning Your Business Before Going Online.Research: the key to success.Becoming a niche-marketing expert.Identifying the needs and wants of your potential customers.Beware of get-rich-quick schemes.Twelve common scams.Other online scams to watch out for.Always pay attention to details.Making online ordering fast, easy, and secure.Make building customer confidence a top priority.Post your privacy policies.Just the facts.9 Generating Revenues from Your Site.Using your site to acc