Internet-Based Business: Startup Rules

1. You do NOT need to be an expert in SEO (search engine optimization), social media

marketing, website marketing, traditional marketing or sales in order to get started.

However, you DO need a professional website.

2. 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 will not work in all niches.

3. Be aware of any “system” that promises instant results (especially anything that sounds

like a get-rich-quick scheme!)

4. Every business is done stronger by specializing in a tight niche. Know your audience and

stick to it.

5. 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

6. 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. (Don’t have a blog yet? Get a professionally-designed one .)

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

marketing

7. 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

8. 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!

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

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

small businesses.

Most important skills needed: Customer service, organization

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.