In many ways, the internet has leveled the playing field for small business owners everywhere. Online businesses are relatively easy to start, without the kind of up-front costs a brick and mortar business demands. However, this relative ease doesn't mean that you can simply jump in and hang out your shingle.
As with any business, you need to establish a strong footing for your online business. While the steps outlined below don't necessarily have to be completed in order, their objective is to provide you with a foundation that's solid enough to bear the weight of your future business growth and success.
The most brilliant business idea can be unsuccessful if your product or service has no market. Even if you've hit on the solution to a problem that plagues many people, you're just throwing money away if the problem turns out to be one that most people don't care enough about to spend time or money solving.
With this in mind, you need to evaluate your idea. The following are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself:
The work you did in step one gives you a good base from which to develop your business plan, and multiple resources are available online to help you put together the core elements of a solid plan.
An effective plan will help you to identify your market further, clarify your objectives, provide a marketing roadmap, and assist you in making the kinds of decisions that may mean the difference between success and failure.
As with any business, you need to establish a strong footing for your online business. While the steps outlined below don't necessarily have to be completed in order, their objective is to provide you with a foundation that's solid enough to bear the weight of your future business growth and success.
1. Assess the viability of your new business idea
Just because it's easier to start an online business doesn't mean no costs are involved. As with a physically based business, the first step to take with your online business is to assess your idea's feasibility.The most brilliant business idea can be unsuccessful if your product or service has no market. Even if you've hit on the solution to a problem that plagues many people, you're just throwing money away if the problem turns out to be one that most people don't care enough about to spend time or money solving.
With this in mind, you need to evaluate your idea. The following are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself:
- Does your product or service solve a problem that enough potential customers have?
- Does your product or service provide a cost-effective solution to that problem?
- Are people willing to spend money to solve the problem?
- How costly will it be to reach the people in need of the solution your product or service offers?
2. Develop a business plan
Once you know your idea is feasible, it's time to put together a comprehensive business plan. Even if you don't plan on obtaining funding for your business, at least not initially, having a business plan is valuable because it lets you spot any potential bumps down the road and plan for future growth and profitability.The work you did in step one gives you a good base from which to develop your business plan, and multiple resources are available online to help you put together the core elements of a solid plan.
An effective plan will help you to identify your market further, clarify your objectives, provide a marketing roadmap, and assist you in making the kinds of decisions that may mean the difference between success and failure.
