Starting Internet Business Opportunities

Starting  Internet Business Opportunities

Starting an internet business can sound like a dream: work from home, set your own hours, be your own boss. But most internet startups require significant investments of time and money, and many of them fail. If you’re considering buying an internet business opportunity, know that the promise of big earnings and ideal work conditions is a pipe dream for most. Regardless of the handful of stories you’ve read about college-age entrepreneurs turning into internet gazillionaires, there’s no such thing as a sure thing.

The Internet is expanding and so is the Internet Society!  A career with us offers you an amazing chance to use your skills and talents to further the Internet Society’s mission, Online Training, Publishing and Information, Selling Products, Telecommunications, Selling a Service which is based upon the fundamental belief that the Internet is for everyone. Please come by often to see what new employment opportunities we have at the Internet Society.

These are the Big 5 Internet Opportunities

All online income generating concepts and internet businesses fall into one of the categories below.

Therefore, to help you come up with an idea that has not been used before you should start off by examining each of the concepts below.

This will help you to stimulate your thought process and brainstorm your internet business idea.

There is nothing to stop you from using an idea that is already in existence if you think you can execute it in a better or different way.

1. Online Training

Before the internet, employees going on courses would have to take a few days off work and be transported to a central point where the particular course was to be held.

This procedure not only came at a cost but also leant itself to counter productivity.

Nowadays, however, the internet delivers training courses directly to each employee’s desk top – the advantages of which are obvious for anyone to see.

2. Publishing and Information

For writers and people who have content to distribute, the internet provides the perfect vehicle.

You, therefore, have the opportunity to create a publication without having to invest anything, for example in printing presses, ink or paper as you would have had to pre the advent of the internet.

3. Selling Products

a) One of the most popular methods of selling goods online, and earning commissions thereon, is to do so as an affiliate.

Many online companies have affiliate programs, the most famous being Amazon, which are usually free to join.

They normally supply promotional banners etc for their affiliates’ websites and track all sales that are generated via the affiliate’s unique tracking identity number.

b) To sell your own product you can set up your own website to promote and sell with an online payment gateway as well as promote and sell it via an affiliate program.

In other words you can harness the power of all the affiliates on the internet to promote and sell your product on a commission basis.

c) Another option would be to set up an online mall.

There are many shopping cart software programs available for this very purpose

4. Telecommunications

In some countries the telecommunications industry has blossomed with deregulation and the competitive marketplace has opened up.

The opportunities that exist in this field for the internet entrepreneur would range from simply selling telecom equipment and services to becoming a link in an internet telecommunications network.

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is a new internet telephone communications technology, that allows long distance calls to be placed over the internet at very low cost This is therefore an area with lots of potential and opportunities for establishing the infrastructure required for Internet telephony and for re-selling international telephone call costs.

5. Selling a Service

The internet provides a perfect medium for many service companies to promote and market their services.

As you probably know there are a variety of services that can be offered using the internet as a conduit.

You could set up your own web server and sell web hosting and associated products just as any other Internet Service Provider.

Other examples of service oriented offerings are online website maintenance, data backup, etc.

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Starting an Internet Business

 

Starting an Internet Business

Starting an internet business can sound like a dream: work from home, set your own hours, be your own boss. But most internet startups require significant investments of time and money, and many of them fail. If you’re considering buying an internet business opportunity, know that the promise of big earnings and ideal work conditions is a pipe dream for most.

Short on Details

An internet business is just like any business – it requires a solid business plan. Anyone who sells legitimate business opportunities should give you detailed information. Be skeptical of a seller who offers vague descriptions of what the business is and how it will work. Sit down and ask yourself some critical questions, like:

    * What would you be selling or doing?
    * How and why shoppers would find and use your website?
    * How would the business generate income and what are your specific expenses?

Answer these questions before you pay any promoter the price of admission to a business.

Some sellers claim you don’t need to understand the details of the business because “it’s the internet” or because their expert coaches and support staff will “take care of everything for you.” The internet is not a magic place for business owners: in an internet business success requires the same solid planning and hard work as in any other venture. It’s your business and your reputation; you can’t afford to be in the dark about key details.
Long on Pressure

Scammers try to create the impression that if you don’t buy immediately, you’re going to miss out on a valuable opportunity. They emphasize the need to act fast, and may suggest that other buyers are ready to take your place if you hesitate or ask questions. They want to persuade you to give up your credit card or bank account information before you’ve had time to research their claims or other people’s experiences with the company. The scammers know that if you do even a little research, you’re likely to find reports of rip-offs. In fact, a quick internet search often is enough to reveal alarming complaints. Legitimate business opportunities don’t need to use high-pressure sales tactics: if an offer is good today, it should be good tomorrow.

Before you buy any business opportunity:

    * Consider the promotion carefully. If it claims buyers can earn a certain income, the promoter also must give the number and percentage of previous purchasers who earned that much. If the promotion makes an earnings claim - but the additional information isn't there - the business opportunity seller may well be violating the law.
    * Study any disclosure documents. Under the Business Opportunity Rule, which is enforced by the FTC, many business opportunity promoters are required to provide a document to potential purchasers that includes information about cancellation and refund policies, whether the seller has faced any lawsuits from purchasers or other legal actions alleging fraud, and contact information for references who have bought the opportunity.
    * Interview previous buyers in person. This helps reduce the chance of being misled by phony references.
    * Do a few internet searches by entering the company name, or the name of the company’s CEO or president, and words like “complaints” or “scam.” Contact the state attorney general's office, local consumer protection agency, and Better Business Bureau, both where the business opportunity promoter is based and where you live, to see if complaints are on file. While a complaint record may indicate questionable business practices, a lack of complaints doesn't necessarily mean the company – or the opportunity – is legitimate. Unscrupulous dealers often change names and locations to hide a history of complaints.
    * Consult an attorney, accountant, or other business advisor before you put any money down or sign any papers. Entering into a business opportunity can be costly, so it's best to have an expert check out the contract first.

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Money Online Working From Home

Money Online Working From Home

Of course Money Online Working. Many thousands of people do. You might have friends or family members who make a living with a home-based Internet business already. The problem is that not everyone WILL make money online, because making money on the internet takes a long time to learn, and most people give up because it can be extremely frustrating.

I knew someone who fell for one of these scams once – they taught him how to make money online, and then all he did was sell seminars – on how to make money online. The fact that he had never actually made any money online was beside the point, I guess. Not surprisingly, I’m not a big supporter of his business.

The Good News About the Home Based Business Industry. Internet-Based Business: Startup Rules

   1. Pre-packaged programs only work as much as you can customize it and make it unique and your own. Even then, techniques that work for one niche won’t work in all niches.

   2. Be wary of any “system” that promises instant results (especially anything that sounds like a get-rich-quick scheme!)

   3. Knowing the basics of html, SEO (search engine optimization), social media marketing, website marketing and traditional marketing and sales are a must.

   4. Every business is made stronger by specializing in a tight niche. Know your audience and stick to it.

Unless you have a brilliant tech idea that makes venture capitalists drool (which means you don’t need this list), you need to determine where your strengths are and which business model you plan on following. I have run three home-based businesses in my life, all of which leveraged my current skill set as the foundation for building the business. Look over the following list and single out the ones in which you have at least some experience. You probably won’t have all of the skills necessary, so don’t let that stop you! All you have to do is work hard and be willing to learn.

   1.      Internet Business Idea #1: Affiliate Marketing

      What is it?
      Promote other company’s products and services on your website. When a sale is made, you get a commission.

      Most important skills needed
      PPC (Pay Per Click marketing), sales copywriting, web marketing

      Best learning resources
      Affiliate Classroom, ShoeMoney, Rosalind Gardner

      Recommended Book
      Make a Fortune Promoting Other People’s Stuff Online by Rosalind Gardner

   2.      Internet Home Business Idea #2: Blogging

      What is it?
      A chronologically based website filled with articles, reviews, or journal-style writing. You can sell advertising or incorporate affiliate marketing on a blog to earn money.

      Most important skills needed
      Copywriting, social networking, affiliate marketing, web marketing

      Best learning resources
      ProBlogger, Blogging for Dollars, Yaro Starak’s Blog Mastermind Program (highly recommended & he has a free report to download)

      3.      Web-Based Business Idea #3: eBay & Auction Selling

      What is it?
      Selling or reselling products via an online marketplace like Ebay, Amazon Auctions, or Craigslist. You can sell used goods, buy goods wholesale, or use a drop-shipping service.

      Most important skills needed
      Merchandising, sales copywriting, customer service

      Best learning resources
      Ebay Learning Center, SaleHoo Training Center, JennyHow
    
   4.      Idea #4 for Internet Home Based Businesses: E-Commerce

      What is it?
      Selling products or a technology-based service on your own website.

      Most important skills needed
      All of the above, below and then some!

      Best learning resources
      Entrepreneur.com’s Online Business Startup Guide
 

   5.      Internet Home Business Idea #5: Arts & Crafts

      What is it?
      Creating and manufacturing your own product lines and selling them online.

      Most important skills needed
      Creativity, sales, e-commerce

      Best learning resources
      Sparkplugging’s CraftBoom, About.com Craft Business 101 Series, Barbara Brabec    

   6.      Home Business Idea for Web Workers #6: Internet Research Business

      What is it?
      Doing internet research for corporations, law firms and other small businesses.

      Most important skills needed
      Librarian-style research skills, customer service

      Best learning resources
      Entrepreneur.com’s Information Consultant Startup Guide
  

   7.      Idea #7 for Working From Home on the Web: Freelance Services

      What is it?
      Providing professional services such as copywriting, design, photography, illustration, and programming usually billed on an hourly rate.

      Most important skills needed
      Sales, customer service, trade-specific knowledge

      Best learning resources
      Our Freelance Parent channel, FreelanceSwitch
     

   8.
      Work At Home Web Business Idea #8: Recruiting

      What is it?
      Recruiting candidates for companies who pay a fee when a hire is made.

      Most important skills needed
      Sales, relationship building, networking

      Best learning resources
      RecruitersNetwork, HireAbility

   9.      Internet Business Idea #9: Consulting

      What is it?
      Providing your specialized industry knowledge to corporations, entrepreneurs, investors or other businesses.

      Most important skills needed
      Trade-specific knowledge, sales, customer service

      Best learning resources
      Entrepreneur.com’s Consulting Business Startup Guide    

  10.      Web Business Idea #10: VA (Virtual Assistant)

      What is it?
      Providing administrative and business support to other business owners and small businesses.

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Local Online Get Social Google+

Local Online Get Social Google+

Social media for small businesses is a topic all on its own. For some small businesses (restaurants, photographers, etc.), social can be your #1 traffic driver but for many other types of small businesses (plumbers, insurance, etc.), social doesn’t quite have the same appeal.

Regardless of the nature of your industry, it’s a well-known fact that social can aid your SEO efforts and help you get ranked and we definitely expect it to become more and more integrated in the future.
Google+

For this series of posts, we’re going to focus on Google+. Many people label Google+ as a social network but it is much more than that. Google+ is essentially a knowledge network and an additional layer that Google can place over search results and its other products to deliver you a better experience.

I want to preface this by saying that it’s only a prediction but also a general belief my most local search analysts. We do believe that reviews will become a bigger ranking factor for local search. As Google feels more confident that reviews aren’t being spammed by knowing more about the reviewers through Google+, they can adjust rankings based on quality of reviews.


It’s also important to note that when you write a review, it is automatically posted to your Google+ feed for all of your friends to see. You can also limit your local searches to see those reviewed by friends.

Google also recently changed Google Places to Google+ Local, integrating local search with this new network. Up to this point, it has only been a cosmetic change but this gives us many signs about how Google will incorporate local search to their social network.
Google+ Local Reviews

The move to Google+ Local did have a pretty big impact on reviews. Google changed their 5-star method to the Zagat method (30 point system). Google also new requires you to have a Google+ account to leave reviews and forces you to use your real name throwing anonymity out the door.

For most businesses, this probably isn’t a huge issue but consider industries like plastic surgery, pay day loans, DUI attorneys, etc. and you can see why this would deter happy clients from leaving reviews.

In the long run, being active on Google+ is definitely recommended. It may not big as big as Facebook right now but it could significantly impact your local search rankings on Google.

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