| There are many things to consider when you are | | | | The above are common questions that any business |
| thinking of starting a home based business. Some | | | | must address and formulate a plan around them. |
| items are common to all businesses, while others are | | | | Whether you are starting a traditional business or a |
| specific to the type of business that you will start. In | | | | online internet related business, they still need to be |
| this article, we will cover some of the common items | | | | addressed. The responses will be significantly different |
| and then focus on areas that are specific to stating a | | | | for each business, however if you decide to bypass |
| home based business that involves use of the Internet | | | | these areas, you risk having unmet expectations either |
| and online marketing skills. | | | | in the sales and revenue area, the cost area or net |
| The following is a list of areas that anyone who is | | | | income. |
| starting a business may want to consider as part of | | | | Online businesses require the same questions, |
| their evaluation and also ongoing business operations. | | | | however we can be more specific about the type of |
| Items such as: | | | | questions. For example, |
| What is your product; | | | | What computer equipment will you need; |
| Who is your customer; | | | | What applications will be required; |
| How will you deliver your product; | | | | What communications do you need for high speed |
| How will you advertise; | | | | data, networking in your home, phones etc; |
| How will you produce your product; | | | | What do you need in the area of domain |
| What ongoing customer support will be required and | | | | management, hosting for your content and email; |
| what will that support cost; | | | | What payment engines will you use to automate the |
| What problem does your product solve for your | | | | billing collection and delivery of your online products; |
| customers; | | | | Do you have the right skill sets for all of the above; |
| What are the costs of setting up your business; what | | | | Do you need to consider a survivability plan in case |
| are the ongoing costs of your business; | | | | your hosting service goes down; |
| What is the growth potential of your business; | | | | And the most significant item of all is valuable and |
| Will this opportunity generate the income that is | | | | attractive content for your customers to review and |
| needed for profitability; | | | | keep them coming back. |
| What resources do you need; | | | | There are lots of areas to investigate relative to |
| What equipment do you need; | | | | starting a home based business, however if you |
| Do you need advisers to assist you; and | | | | address these in some detail, your chances of starting |
| What competition do you have. | | | | a successful home business increase significantly. |