Do It Yourself Online Business

Congratulations on taking the first step into deciding to work from home online, and for taking the challenging task of doing it yourself. But you can do it! It may take time and you may run into a few bumps, but if you follow of some of my tips you may be on your way to the easy yellow brick road. 1. Buy a notebook or create a file for your business. I like the notebook to create a brainstorm of what your business will be and what you want it to be. Use the notebook to write down any articles that you may want to publish and content that you want to place on your website. Also use your notebook to make your to do's list. 2. What are you going to sell? Tangible items like clothing, gifts etc. Or non tangible like selling e-books, ad space, graphics, etc. 3. Think of domain names & businesses names. As some of the domain names you want might be taken. 4. Decide who will host your website, and how much it will cost, and if it fits your budget. 5. Register your site. ( I like to do this right away so that no one will end up having the domain name that I want, it's up to you.) 6. Decide what colors schemes you want your website to have. Also your logo colors and overall look you would like to have. You can sketch some different options in the notebook. Just to give you some kind of idea. 7. If you don't know the first thing at all about creating a website. HTML Huh?? It's a good idea to find a hosting service that provides templates or a online point and click editor. . 8. Make your logo. There are some places where you could make a logo for no money. Do a search on the internet for free logo making. 9. Publish all of your content and pictures to your website. 10. You will need online email forms. So that your customers can reach you easily and promptly. If your like me and don't want to script in more things you can get what's called remotely hosted tools they are usually free. They provide online polls, guest books, e-mail forms and more. 11. Do you need a shopping cart for payment processing? 12. Set up shopping cart as directed. 13. Submit site to search engines and or join webrings. 14. Announce online biz to newspapers, Magazines, Online newsletters, Buy ad space on relavant sites, Announce to family and friends, Use your car as ad space with vinyl stickers on you car's window with your business slogan and web address. Now keep adding to your site and make it grow. Check e-mails frequently and be up to date. Add free stuff or contests to drive back your visitors.