Are you planning on starting an Internet business? If you are you can count yourself among the millions of people who dream of making money online. Every day thousands of new domains are registered by online entrepreneurs who are looking for the hidden pot of gold.

The only problem is that in reality there is no pot of gold online, hidden or out in the open. Most online entrepreneurs quickly discover that making money online requires the same persistence, activity, and knowledge that brick and mortar businesses do.

So why start an online business?

The biggest advantages of starting an online business is that you can start one with a low budget, and you can build it as your time allows.

A retail store requires your full attention, including long 12-15 hour days of work. But an online business can be run on the weekends, or even in a spare hour when you come home from work.

But even with these advantages you will still have to approach your online business like you would if it was a brick and mortar business. You will have to truly understand the needs and wants of the market that you are serving.

Hours of research, followed by disciplined implementation are required.

You will also need to periodically reevaluate your course of action. Experienced online entrepreneurs measure the results of their online businesses. They know which products are making money for them, and they keep track of which advertising campaigns are producing results.

While you need to give your online business time to develop, you also need to be honest with yourself and make sure not to throw away good money after bad money.

By being focused on your online business, and treating it like a real business, you will be able to experience the rewards of running an online business.

Donny Lowy runs http://www.closeoutexplosion.com an online wholesale and closeout business that supplies eBay sellers, retailers, and flea market vendors.