5 answers
Nara
Student
1
Question
Asked
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How do you start an online business ?
I want to start an online business and make my own brand.
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5 answers
david kirk
Retired Computing Manager
480
Answers
Syracuse, New York
Updated
david’s Answer
That would be an exciting business, I'm sure. Not knowing your specific product to sell, here are a few of the basics you will need to address:
- a website on a strong web server with good support of both selling and returning merchandise.
- a strong distribution plan for packing and shipping merchandise.
- a good plan on how returns will be processed and accounts credited
- access to tax advisor for the many tax issues, as you will need to pay taxes in all states in which you sell items
- an excellent accounting system for the many legal reports you need to follow
- access to an attorney for advice on advertising, distributing, and handling returns
- product liability insurance, personal liability insurance
- an advertising plan to ensure you reach potential customers
- strong supplier relationships to ensure that whatever source material you need for your product is consistent and available when needed.
- sufficient funds to pay for all the startup costs and living expenses for at least six months before any profits accumulate.
Going into business is a big investment of time, but can pay off well in the sense of personal achievement. I wish you well.
- a website on a strong web server with good support of both selling and returning merchandise.
- a strong distribution plan for packing and shipping merchandise.
- a good plan on how returns will be processed and accounts credited
- access to tax advisor for the many tax issues, as you will need to pay taxes in all states in which you sell items
- an excellent accounting system for the many legal reports you need to follow
- access to an attorney for advice on advertising, distributing, and handling returns
- product liability insurance, personal liability insurance
- an advertising plan to ensure you reach potential customers
- strong supplier relationships to ensure that whatever source material you need for your product is consistent and available when needed.
- sufficient funds to pay for all the startup costs and living expenses for at least six months before any profits accumulate.
Going into business is a big investment of time, but can pay off well in the sense of personal achievement. I wish you well.
Libbinit .
Entrepreneur
1
Answer
Washington, Washington
Updated
Libbinit’s Answer
The easiest and most cost efficient way is to get a product first I recommend a digital product like ebooks, planners, courses, software, etc. or if you don’t have the time or money to get one of these digital products you can get products with resell rights meaning they can be resold an infinite amount of times ( i have a free resell rights ebook on how to advertise your online business at https://stan.store/Libbinit/p/get-my-resell-rights-ebook-now) so once you get your product you build your store with Shopify or wix free trial and list your product. And then last step is advertising, if you want to spend money then google and facebook ads are the way to go, if you want to advertise for free then do content marketing on social media ( TikTok, facebook, instagram,…)
Tara Johns
Copywriter/Content Marketer
18
Answers
Gates, North Carolina
Updated
Tara’s Answer
How you start depends on what kind of business you want to have. There are so many options available and getting access to the resources you need has become so incredibly easy. But here are some tips on getting started:
-Figure out what you are passionate about and build your business around it. otherwise, you'll be miserable and won't care about keeping your business running
-figure out what problem you want to solve and who you want to solve for
-figure out what you'll need to get started in terms of money as well as resources, time, energy, space, etc., and what you'll need to keep the business running
-ask yourself what you would be happy to wake up to every day, the kind of lifestyle you want to live, and if the business can help create this lifestyle or at least allow you to live it or build it. You have your own business so you can live your life on your own terms and not have to work a regular job that you can't stand. So don't let your business turn into a job
-determine your goals in the very beginning and refer back to them often. Make sure what you're doing is getting you closer to those goals. If it isn't, then you need to switch up your actions to be in better alignment with your end goals
-figure out what it is that you do that sets you apart from others who are doing the same thing. For example, say you are selling socks. But many others are selling those same socks. Why should anyone choose to buy those socks from you instead of the other people who selling the same thing? what makes you unique/special/the best?
-get into an entrepreneurial mindset or else you'll let things like little failures ruin everything for you
-always remember that you are you and that is part of what makes you so special, so always show up as yourself. Your personality and how you do things is what sets you apart
-And just don't give up! Keep going until you get there!
-Figure out what you are passionate about and build your business around it. otherwise, you'll be miserable and won't care about keeping your business running
-figure out what problem you want to solve and who you want to solve for
-figure out what you'll need to get started in terms of money as well as resources, time, energy, space, etc., and what you'll need to keep the business running
-ask yourself what you would be happy to wake up to every day, the kind of lifestyle you want to live, and if the business can help create this lifestyle or at least allow you to live it or build it. You have your own business so you can live your life on your own terms and not have to work a regular job that you can't stand. So don't let your business turn into a job
-determine your goals in the very beginning and refer back to them often. Make sure what you're doing is getting you closer to those goals. If it isn't, then you need to switch up your actions to be in better alignment with your end goals
-figure out what it is that you do that sets you apart from others who are doing the same thing. For example, say you are selling socks. But many others are selling those same socks. Why should anyone choose to buy those socks from you instead of the other people who selling the same thing? what makes you unique/special/the best?
-get into an entrepreneurial mindset or else you'll let things like little failures ruin everything for you
-always remember that you are you and that is part of what makes you so special, so always show up as yourself. Your personality and how you do things is what sets you apart
-And just don't give up! Keep going until you get there!
Katherine Avery
Run a music studio and teach private music lessons; teach college-level religion classes
350
Answers
Spanish Fork, Utah
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
Some simple, big-picture steps that can get you started thinking, and help you know what steps you'd need to take to learn more about each thing you want to do, are in this workbook (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/topics/self-reliance/2017/14678_sgmb_book_eng.pdf?lang=eng).
Please note that the workbook provided in this answer represents a religious perspective on the subject matter.
Sharyn Grose, Admin
Sebastian Salvador Tapia Ceballos
Customer Success
6
Answers
Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
Updated
Sebastian Salvador’s Answer
Hi Nara! Remember, it's okay to start small but make sure to start strong, and watch as your venture flourishes over time. Focus on niche marketing. Identify a specific market that you're passionate about and be precise about your target customers and product. With the vast competition out there, steer clear of mainstream products and maintain a simple, unique offering!
Utilize Instagram to display your product, harness the power of reels and music to reach a wider audience. Use apps like InMelo that offer preloaded templates. Set aside a small budget for Meta and take advantage of the multitude of free courses available on Youtube to learn how to maximize your reach with minimal investment.
In the early stages, don't aim too high. Understand your limitations and see them as stepping stones towards your business growth. In a nutshell: offer a highly specific product, cater to a specific market, target a niche market, leverage social media, and keep things simple to facilitate organic growth.
Don't be disheartened if progress seems slow, it takes time but the reward of seeing your brand elevate to the next level is truly gratifying. Keep going!
Utilize Instagram to display your product, harness the power of reels and music to reach a wider audience. Use apps like InMelo that offer preloaded templates. Set aside a small budget for Meta and take advantage of the multitude of free courses available on Youtube to learn how to maximize your reach with minimal investment.
In the early stages, don't aim too high. Understand your limitations and see them as stepping stones towards your business growth. In a nutshell: offer a highly specific product, cater to a specific market, target a niche market, leverage social media, and keep things simple to facilitate organic growth.
Don't be disheartened if progress seems slow, it takes time but the reward of seeing your brand elevate to the next level is truly gratifying. Keep going!