Without doubt the internet has changed the way that we live our lives. This has been particularly apparent with recent sales figures for many retailers including Next showing a slump in high street shop sales and a growth within online shopping sales proving that the internet is now the preferred method of shopping for many of us. Sadly this has resulted in the closure of many high street stores, especially electrical retailers, as they battle stiff competition from online retailers.
During the past ten years the growth of the internet has resulted in many individual success stories and has also strengthened sales for many established businesses as they also use websites to generate extra revenue. Experts predict that by 2020 90% of transactions will take place online or will be influenced by the internet.
With this in mind there has never been a better time to start an internet online business. Statistics show that the demand and audience is huge so what better way to capitalise on this demand than by starting an online business.
Internet businesses involve less risk, cost and effort and most can be started straight away. To create a successful home online business you will need to take the following into consideration:
Look For A Product That Doesn't Have A Market Leader
If you want to become a successful entrepreneur you will need to find a niche that is quite unique without massive competition. One such example was a lady who found a gap in the market for providing baby products and accessories in your own home. She thought of the idea after having a baby of her own. She has now formed a very successful business providing this service.
Having a passion for what you are selling is also crucial to your success. This was the case for twelve year old Louis Barnett who created a successful confectionary company selling chocolates to top retailers. He left school with severe dyslexia and dyspraxia but his desire to be able to spell the word chocolate inspired him to set up his own company selling chocolate. He scored the highest score ever for his pitch with one retailer which even at twelve years old was full of passion fuelled by his belief in his product.
Write Up A Good Business Plan To Get Funding For Your Business
Presenting a good business plan will help you to get the necessary funds to start your on line business. Make sure that you ask for adequate funds at the beginning to ensure the success of your business. Asking for too little funds is a mistake often made but will only result in your business struggling in the short term.
Register Your Company
If you anticipate that your sales will exceed the current threshold of £73k you will need to register your company for VAT.
On line traders also need to ensure that they comply with data protection legislation when storing information on customers.
Create A Good Website
With any internet business it is crucial to create a powerful website to attract customers to your business. Your website acts as a shop window for your business and will determine how successful your business will become.
Whilst it is cheaper to install your own website it is better, if financially possible, to outsource this task as this can be the difference between making sales or not.
You will need to ensure that your website is appealing as people will buy if they like what they see. Make sure that the website is easy to navigate especially on the ordering page as people will tend to leave if the sales process is too difficult.
Test your website with potential customers, friends and family before launching your website to make sure that it has the necessary appeal.
Marketing Your Business
For an online business, marketing is vital to its success. Effective marketing will ensure that people are drawn to your website over your competitors.
There are several ways in which you can market your online business. You can advertise organically by writing articles or blogs or you can pay for advertising using Google ad words or by paying for SEO. The type of advertising you choose will be largely governed by the type of online business that you have and by the budget that you have available.
Offline advertising such as direct mail can also be very effective in promoting your online business and increasing sales.
Don't Give Up Your Day Job
Don't make the mistake of giving up your day job too soon. Most online businesses only require you to work part time from home to begin with allowing you to work around your current employment and still enjoying the security of earning income while your business gets off the ground.
All in all your internet business will thrive provided that you offer people what they want to buy at a price that they can afford and that you make them aware that you have what they need.