Q&A for How to Start an Online Business

Include your personal story! With my website, I'm able to write about being a high schooler and what entrepreneurship means to me. That way, the people know where the product came from and who I am.

Try to find someone who trusts you and will give you their product on credit. You can offer some guarantee in return. Another option if you are selling products rather than a service is to set up an account with a merchant site that charges a small commission for each product sold.

First you need to secure a domain name for your website. Then find a hosting service. You will want to create content for your website that is easily read and used by potential customers. If you have set prices for your services, it is best to be transparent about them. If your fees are individually based, then state that. Explain your expertise and success in the business on your "About" page. Be sure to have a "Contact" page with your information so clients can get in touch. Once your website is ready, all you have to do is market it.

The price for web design ranges from free to $2500.There are too many companies that offer web design so do your homework and ask for references. Several hosting packages come with free templates for you to design your website yourself. If you need someone to help, Fiverr.com has people with pretty good skills that will create simple websites starting at $5 and will give you excellent deals for more complicated designs. You can find logo creations, SEO services, and advertising services starting at just $5.

Advertise! Whether you pay for advertising or you trade advertising with related websites and blogs, or you use free search sites, the important thing to remember is to put in the time and keep track of what works. Search out other websites and blogs with similar content and leave comments with your contact info. There are services that will do all the marketing for you for a fee, but to start out, you can do the marketing yourself. Fiverr.com will advertise your website starting at $5.

Be aware of the copyright policies of each company you work with. Make sure to state your copyright policies on your website. Copyright Material and ideas as much as possible. When you find your information has been illegally copied and distributed take immediate action. Contact an attorney.

You give more value. If people see you're a valuable person, they will trust you and your business.

You can sell your products in numerous ways. 1. Link your website on other similar sites, and in exchange, you link their website on your pages. 2. Look for free websites like Craigslist.org, local.com, Google+, etc. 3. Use all the social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin.com, or Google Hangouts. These sites give you a free account, then you search their site for people or business with similar interest and engage and follow those people. Be careful of the spam policies. This is free but time-consuming. 4. Pay for ads on Google, Yahoo, and Bing.

Yes, you can run an online business anywhere but you may have to use other hosting sites, domain register, etc.

Absolutely - you can market anything online. WHO you market to will be determined by your product - some services only work for local markets (i.e. alterations for clothing), but marketing internet services (website building and management) can be national and even international.

You can start most businesses that sell what is referred to as "digital products." Your capital is your knowledge and the time you spend researching a market and preparing and testing your offer. Public libraries have free access to computers connected to the internet.

Yes, though you may need some help/supervision from an adult, as people under 18 cannot legally sign a contract, and this may be required in some instances.

No. You would most likely need to go through a licensed intermediary to purchase and sell another brand's product.

When you first started your business, you may not have spelled out your target market in much detail, but spending some time to hone in on it now could reap some major benefits for your business. Knowing your target market allows you to spend your marketing time and resources more effectively. You might also discover potential new customers you hadn’t considered before.

Yes, assuming you have a partnership worked out with that person.

Get your domain name. Then, choose a web host and sign up for an account.

You can post your product using your website or other e-commerce platform.

It depends on what you are selling in your business and how you are selling your products or services in your business. But, the best way to "acquire" customers would to be to advertise. Advertise until you spread all over the internet and social media so that people will notice your business.

If you have enough credit, this should not be a problem. Fortunately, you may not need much money for making a website as they may come as low as $2 a month.

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