4 answers
Maxwell
Student
Loganville, Georgia
1
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Asked
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how can i start my online business in college?
how can i start my online business in college?
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4 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1403
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Maxwell !
When inquiring about starting an online business while you are in college, it will help you to indicate whether it is a service or a product venture that you want to start. It would also help you to be specific about the type of business as some online business do very well and others get lost in the crowd online. So first figure out if it will be for a particular service or for a product. There's not much difference with starting whether or not you're in college except that you would be able to dedicate much more time if you do not have the obligations and financial commitment while being a college student. That being said, let's see what you'll need to do to open a product business first.
To begin planning for your product business, you will need to develop a business plan after researching your niche and trends happening connected to your product or item. Check your competition and research the need for your product. Along with the business plan, you will write out a financial plan for the business. Then you will need to select a business commerce platform online to create your online store. I have left a link below of a list of some of these for you. You can also search for and read about others that are not listed at the link. You will then make your online store, discover your demographic - who you want to sell to, and learn about shipping, sales tax set up and forms of payment you want to accept. Build your website and you will need to utilize paid advertising. You will also need to find a manufacturer for your product and have the budget for this.
If you want to begin a service business, you will need to develop and validate your plan and do market research to determine the extent that your service is needed or wanted. Then follow the same path as mentioned for the product business, write a business plan, make your website, and target those who will use your service .
Regardless of the type of service you develop, it will be important that you have education or some experience in business, marketing, customer service and a deep connection to your service or product offered. To not prepare like this may make starting your business very confusing to you. You can visit your local Chamber of Commerce for information and guidelines and your local Library may also have resources to help you with this. Whichever school you attend right now, ask a teacher in the business classes or go to your professor or staff in the Business Department of your college for assistance. You will have to tap into all possible resources in order to start this from the beginning. I left a link to My Business Venture for a start, but you can search online for many, many other helpful articles, places that can help you and videos to watch.
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
2024 LIST OF E-COMMERCE ONLINE PLATFORMS https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/best-ecommerce-platform/
SMALL BUSINESS HELP IN LOGANVILLE https://www.smallbusinessstartup.com/city/business-opportunities-in-Loganville_GA.html
ONLINE BUSINESS INFORMATION https://mybusinessventure.com/
When inquiring about starting an online business while you are in college, it will help you to indicate whether it is a service or a product venture that you want to start. It would also help you to be specific about the type of business as some online business do very well and others get lost in the crowd online. So first figure out if it will be for a particular service or for a product. There's not much difference with starting whether or not you're in college except that you would be able to dedicate much more time if you do not have the obligations and financial commitment while being a college student. That being said, let's see what you'll need to do to open a product business first.
To begin planning for your product business, you will need to develop a business plan after researching your niche and trends happening connected to your product or item. Check your competition and research the need for your product. Along with the business plan, you will write out a financial plan for the business. Then you will need to select a business commerce platform online to create your online store. I have left a link below of a list of some of these for you. You can also search for and read about others that are not listed at the link. You will then make your online store, discover your demographic - who you want to sell to, and learn about shipping, sales tax set up and forms of payment you want to accept. Build your website and you will need to utilize paid advertising. You will also need to find a manufacturer for your product and have the budget for this.
If you want to begin a service business, you will need to develop and validate your plan and do market research to determine the extent that your service is needed or wanted. Then follow the same path as mentioned for the product business, write a business plan, make your website, and target those who will use your service .
Regardless of the type of service you develop, it will be important that you have education or some experience in business, marketing, customer service and a deep connection to your service or product offered. To not prepare like this may make starting your business very confusing to you. You can visit your local Chamber of Commerce for information and guidelines and your local Library may also have resources to help you with this. Whichever school you attend right now, ask a teacher in the business classes or go to your professor or staff in the Business Department of your college for assistance. You will have to tap into all possible resources in order to start this from the beginning. I left a link to My Business Venture for a start, but you can search online for many, many other helpful articles, places that can help you and videos to watch.
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1406
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Maxwell you will need to file all the appropriate business-formation documents and other paperwork to ensure your new business has a solid legal foundation. This includes:
• Registering your business with the appropriate government authorities;
• Obtaining all the required permits and licenses;
• Meeting all federal and state tax requirements, such as applying for state and federal tax ID numbers.
Since these requirements vary on a state-by-state basis and the nature of your business, it's important to do your research so you meet any applicable requirements. Again, it's often helpful to consult with an attorney with experience in business startups in your particular industry to make certain you're on the right track.
WEBSITE PRESENCE
An online business's website is as important as the physical location of a brick-and-mortar company, and you should put as much care into this part of the startup process as you would if you were location and lease shopping. When looking at how you will build your website, consider available payment processors. For many online businesses, hiring a website developer to help build your site makes sound business sense. The web host you choose is an important consideration as well. You can have a top-notch website, but it will do you no good if your host has too much downtime or if the speed of browsing your site is too slow. In addition to checking out reviews online, consider asking your personal and business network contacts. Other online business owners, in particular, can provide invaluable information about a web host's reliability. Depending on the products or services you'll be offering, you will also need to evaluate and choose your sources of supply and inventory, as well as how you will deliver your product or service to your customer. Again, a number of options are available. Given the importance of having inventory on hand—or a good on-demand provider—and a reliable method of fulfillment, spending adequate research time on this aspect can mean the difference between success and failure.
• Registering your business with the appropriate government authorities;
• Obtaining all the required permits and licenses;
• Meeting all federal and state tax requirements, such as applying for state and federal tax ID numbers.
Since these requirements vary on a state-by-state basis and the nature of your business, it's important to do your research so you meet any applicable requirements. Again, it's often helpful to consult with an attorney with experience in business startups in your particular industry to make certain you're on the right track.
WEBSITE PRESENCE
An online business's website is as important as the physical location of a brick-and-mortar company, and you should put as much care into this part of the startup process as you would if you were location and lease shopping. When looking at how you will build your website, consider available payment processors. For many online businesses, hiring a website developer to help build your site makes sound business sense. The web host you choose is an important consideration as well. You can have a top-notch website, but it will do you no good if your host has too much downtime or if the speed of browsing your site is too slow. In addition to checking out reviews online, consider asking your personal and business network contacts. Other online business owners, in particular, can provide invaluable information about a web host's reliability. Depending on the products or services you'll be offering, you will also need to evaluate and choose your sources of supply and inventory, as well as how you will deliver your product or service to your customer. Again, a number of options are available. Given the importance of having inventory on hand—or a good on-demand provider—and a reliable method of fulfillment, spending adequate research time on this aspect can mean the difference between success and failure.
Nikolaos Zormpas
Global Manager – Digital Services Offerings / Technology, Software & Services Offerings Marketing
88
Answers
Athens, Greece
Updated
Nikolaos’s Answer
Hi Maxwell!
Michelle has already shared a lot of useful advices! Please take a look at the following discussion too.
https://www.careervillage.org/questions/933874/how-can-i-start-my-business-in-college
Best of luck!
Regards,
Nikolas
Michelle has already shared a lot of useful advices! Please take a look at the following discussion too.
https://www.careervillage.org/questions/933874/how-can-i-start-my-business-in-college
Best of luck!
Regards,
Nikolas
Susan Su McKenzie
10
Answers
Singapore
Updated
Susan Su’s Answer
Launching an online venture while in college can be an excellent opportunity! Here's a guide to help you navigate the process:
Discover Your Specialty: Find a field that you're both passionate about and have a deep understanding of.
Craft a Business Strategy: Sketch out your objectives, your intended audience, your financial plan, and your tactics.
Build Your Brand: Create a polished logo, website, and social media accounts.
Use College Facilities: Make the most of on-campus resources such as business incubators, workshops, and networking events.
Promote Efficiently: Employ social media, email marketing, and word-of-mouth to connect with your target audience.
Balance Your Schedule: Maintain a healthy equilibrium between your business and academic commitments.
Begin Modestly: Experiment with your ideas on a small scale with a limited budget to reduce potential risks.
Discover Your Specialty: Find a field that you're both passionate about and have a deep understanding of.
Craft a Business Strategy: Sketch out your objectives, your intended audience, your financial plan, and your tactics.
Build Your Brand: Create a polished logo, website, and social media accounts.
Use College Facilities: Make the most of on-campus resources such as business incubators, workshops, and networking events.
Promote Efficiently: Employ social media, email marketing, and word-of-mouth to connect with your target audience.
Balance Your Schedule: Maintain a healthy equilibrium between your business and academic commitments.
Begin Modestly: Experiment with your ideas on a small scale with a limited budget to reduce potential risks.