Launch Your Business Online
If you are looking to start a small business quickly, with little capital, and run the entire operation yourself, here’s some good news. Thanks to Web-based services that offer everything you need, affordably, you can get your venture up and running in no time and never look back.
Launching a business of any kind is never really easy. For example, no matter how small the business, you still need a legal structure of some type, such as corporation, LLC, partnership or sole proprietorship, computers, phones and Web connections, some financial, budgeting and marketing skills, a bank account, merchant services to process credit card payments, and much more.
But if you want to start small, build it yourself and grow the business over time, launching with the help of Web-based services is a viable choice that scores of entrepreneurs are selecting as a way to get into the business ownership game.
Service providers such as Interland, Yahoo Small Business, BigStep, 1&1 and others offer simplified do-it-yourself packages that make the setup process straightforward. Even with little tech know-how, you can get a basic Web site registered, designed and online quickly for as little as $20 per month.
You’ll still need to work hard at attracting customers, just like any new business. In some ways the task is ever harder online because you are competing with millions of others doing the same thing. Make sure your Web site is listed in search engines and get more out of your listings. You’ll find help for search engine submission at SearchEngineWatch.com. This site offers submission tips, Web searching tips, search engine reviews and other resources.
Targeted ads attached to keyword search results are a great way to promote your wares. Their simplicity, low cost and popularity among small businesses have made them the main method for connecting buyers and merchants online. Business owners also like the concept because you pay only when someone clicks your ad and visits your site. Google AdWords, www.google.com/ads, is one of the leaders.
To get visitors more involved in your Web site, add surveys, guest books, auto responders and downloadable documents. Your Web host may offer some of these. Helpful resources include: ConstantContact.com and Topica.com.
Microsoft Small Business Center (MSBC) is a portal that offers nearly everything you’ll need to get up and running — all in one place. MSBC offers a helpful suite of tools and services such as Web marketing, payment processing, online catalog creation, shopping cart, list building, banner ads and search engine submission. Visit www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness.
To learn more about establishing your small business, contact SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business." SCORE is a nonprofit organization of more than 10,500 volunteer business counselors who provide free, confidential business counseling and training workshops to small business owners. Call 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you, or find a counselor online at www.score.org.