Product Description

*Delivers all the know-how would-be online entrepreneurs need to get their business off the ground, from identifying a market need and choosing a Web hosting service to securing transactions and attracting customers
*The book has been fully revamped with new coverage of setting up Amazon, Yahoo!, and other storefronts; running an eBay business; building profits via affiliate programs and middlemen; improving rankings on Google and other search engines; securing sites with firewalls; monitoring site traffic; and blogging
*Completely updated throughout, with new profiles of successful online businesses, a revised directory of Internet business resources (now available on the book's companion Web site), and the latest on advertising techniques and legal and tax requirements
*Contains helpful examples of businesses that survived the dot-com bust and continue to thrive, plus examples of strategies to avoid

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #150227 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-04
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 408 pages

Synopsis
So you want to own your own business, be your own boss, set your own hours, and make real money. If you're comfortable with computers and have a marketable idea, service, or product, this guide will help you become an ontrepreneur (online entrepreneur). It covers everything you need to know to set up shop in cyberspace. You'll find out about using established storefronts as a shortcut (sort of like setting up shop in a huge, established cybermall) or building your own Web site from scratch. You'll explore: doing research, defining your niche and target market, and putting it together in a practical business plan; getting the hardware and software you'll need to get going; creating your own Web site with good organization, useful content, and eye-catching design, including ten must-have features and info on clip art and photos; selecting a Web hosting service (with info on free Web site homesteading); setting up for handling business online, including building in security, accepting charge cards, creating shopping carts, and more; and, managing your goods and services, including sourcing goods, handling returns, adding shipping fees, and maintaining inventory.

You'll also explore: taking advantage of successful online business models, including storefronts such as Amazon.com, Yahoo!, CafePress, PayPal, or Microsoft that already have all the tools and systems, plus great traffic; running a business on eBay; marketing your business and the secrets to search engine success; and, keeping good business records and staying on the right side of the law, including everything from trademarks , copyrights, and licensing to taxes, with info on accounting tools and software. Written by e-biz whiz Greg Holden, "Starting an Online Business For Dummies, Fourth Edition" has all kinds of case studies of successful cyber businesses, including a woman who sells her own insect repellent, a mapmaker, a housewife who sells sweetener and coffee on eBay, a sculptor and painter, and more. Packed with inspiration and information, it includes: lots of Web sites that will give you good ideas; a companion Web site that includes an online directory of Internet business resources; and, a list of legal and business requirements. Get going, and build a booming business right at home.

The only people you'll have to take orders from are customers, and those are the kind of orders you'll like!

From the Back Cover
Begin and build a booming business right at home!
Establish your online presence, make money on eBay, and find the secrets to search engine success
How'd you like your morning commute to be a short walk in your bedroom slippers? The market for online businesses is better than ever, and here's the place to start. Identify your market, choose a Web hosting service, lock down security, promote your business, stay on the right side of the law, run a business on eBay, work wth affiliates and middlemen -- and love what you're doing!
Discover how to

*Draw up a cyberbusiness plan

*Select and acquire equipment and inventory

*Accept credit card payment

*Improve your search engine ranking

*Set up Amazon, Yahoo!, and other storefronts

About the Author
Greg Holden is the founder of Stylus Media, which creates Web pages for small businesses. An eBay PowerUser, he has authored more than 25 books and numerous magazine articles.

Customer Reviews

US Book Sold To UK Market
I'm returning this book after finding key parts of it were relavent only to the US, not UK (US tax law, US websites, etc). Why don't Amazon.co.uk make this clear? If you're in the UK buy something else.

Good boook and very useful for someone like me.
This book gives reference to all the useful websites that can help you with starting a buisiness. I feel much more cofident now, Thank-you IDG Books

For Americans ONLY!
Has a lot of good points to starting your own business. BUT! All the programs, tax matters, banking is for the US in US market. None of this stuff works in the UK, Europe or the rest of the world. For instance, you cannot sign up with Yahoo! store front unless you are a US company.