Foreword
1. Should You Start Your Own Web-Based Business?
A
Hot Commodity: Shopping Online
Web-Based
Businesses — A Brief History
The
Benefits of Starting a Web-Based Business
Do
You Have What It Takes to Run Your Own Web-Based Business?
Keys
to Success
Types
of Web-Based Businesses
A
Word of Caution: Scams
2. Finding Your Niche
What
is a Niche?
What
Interests You?
Research
3. Writing Your Business Plan
Step-by-Step:
The Finer Points of the Business Plan
4. Before You Open
Equipment
You Will Need
Accounting
Considerations
Finding
Products
Co-branding
Pricing
Your Products
Pricing
Your Services
Establishing
a Return Policy
Determining
Shipping Rates
What
Not to Do
5. Your Web Site
How
to Choose a Domain Name
How
to Choose a Web Host
6. Designing Your Web Site
Know
the Purpose of Your Web Site
Using
a Template
Hiring
a Professional Web Designer
7. Securing Your Web-Based Business
Business
Insurance
Invest
in Anti-Virus Protection
The
Fear of Internet Fraud
Encryption
Show
Your Visitors Your Site is Secure
Firewalls:
Protecting Your Computer
Popular
Firewalls
8. The Importance of Search Engines
Submit
Your Web Site to Search Engines
Keep
Track of Your Web Visitors
Pay-Per-Click
Advertising
9. Creating Powerful Content for Your Web Site
Tips
for Writing Powerful Web Content
Should
You Hire Someone Else to Write Your Web Content?
10. Marketing Your Web-Based Business
Create
a Logo
Write
Articles and Submit to Article Directories
Purchase
or Create Business Cards
Join
Your Local Chamber of Commerce
Network
Join
the Better Business Bureau (Online)
Press
Releases
Online
Forums and Message Boards
Your
Signature Line
Banner
Advertising
Online
Directories
Blog
Podcast
Offer
Referral Incentives
Radio
Ads
TV
Commercials
Newspaper
Ads
11. Keeping Your Customers Coming Back Again and Again
Set
up Your Own Affiliate Program
Add
a Message Board to Your Web Site
Build
an Online Community
Offer
E-Coupons
Offer
Discounts
Hold
Contests
E-mail
/ Online Newsletters
Blog
Give
Free Samples
Offer
a Bonus
Become
a Sponsor
Provide
12. Merchant Accounts and Customer Payment Options
How
to Create a Merchant Account
Shopping
Carts
Payment
Options
13. Adding a Storefront
eBay
Storefront
Yahoo
Small Business
Amazon
Storefront
14. Hiring Employees
General
Management Skills
Screening
Job Applicants
Evaluating
Employee Performance
Resources
Bibliography
Index