Beth Williams - How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Web-Based Business

How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Web-Based Business

By Beth Williams

How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Web-Based Business

Copyright 2007 by Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.

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ISBN-13: 978-1-60138-118-7

ISBN-10: 1-60138-118-2

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Williams, Beth, 1973

How to open & operate a financially successful web-based business / by Beth Williams.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN-13: 978-1-60138-118-7 (alk. paper)

ISBN-10: 1-60138-118-2 (alk. paper)

1. Electronic commerce. 2. Internet marketing. 3. New business enterprises--Management. I. Title. II. Title: How to open and operate a financially successful web-based business.

HF5548.32.W545 2007

658.872--dc22

2007025039

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Table of Contents

Foreword

By Bruce C. Brown

A 2006 Forrester Research study of 174 retailers found that online retail sales rose last year by 25 percent, to $176.4 billion, and are expected to rise 20 percent in 2006, to $211.4 billion. By 2010, sales should reach $329 billion. The potential for realizing success through a Web-based business is realistic and attainable. Nothing is more invigorating, exciting, and empowering than owning your own business. By harnessing the power of the Internet and establishing your own Web presence, you can own and operate a Web-based business within the comfortable confines of your home office. While owning a Web-based business can be rewarding and satisfying, it also can be a monumental failure if you have not carefully charted out your playbook for success.

I have owned my own Web design and computer support company for the past ten years and have had my share of successes and failures. Unfortunately, I did not have an all-inclusive, fact-filled guide which walked me through the process to ensure I had a viable business plan, financial backing, and the industry knowledge to succeed. This is where How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Web-Based Business (With Companion CD-ROM) by Beth Williams comes into play. Best intentions, great ideas, and hard work are often not enough to establish a successful online business it takes planning, strategy, marketing, and versatility. This book provides a complete and thorough guide through every stage of creating a Web-based business, from developing business and marketing plans to designing your Web site and achieving high rankings in popular search engines.

In my ten years as a Web-based business owner, I have never come across a compilation of information as useful as that in this book. This book covers every single aspect of developing a successful Web-based business and provides you with a wealth of information, ideas, and action plans. It covers topics such as how to price your products and services, how to maintain legal compliance, how to find your market niche, type of businesses, business licenses, taxes, Web site design, Web site hosting, search engine marketing, e-commerce, and provides you with a wealth of innovative ideas to increase revenue and helps ensure the profitability and stability of your Web-based business.

There are literally dozens of books on the market about how to start your own business which offer conflicting, difficult to follow, or outdated information, as well as Internet-based, get rich quick schemes, which always result in failure. How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Web-Based Business sets itself apart as the best resource available for how to start a successful Web-based business. This book is not about get rich quick schemes; instead, it is a methodically documented resource guide to help you achieve success and covers all the critical facets of planning and establishing a Web-based business. It is well written, easy to read, and provides you with the right amount of detail. It will inevitably be an invaluable desk reference you will rely on heavily and frequently. While the book is chock full of vital information, it is also written for the beginner, not the seasoned Web professional. You do not need to have an MBA or be a professional Web site designer to understand and implement the ideas, business plans, and strategies outlined in this book. I am so impressed with the quality and quantity of information contained in this book and the pragmatic, straight to the point writing style that I would recommend this book be required reading for anyone contemplating a Web-based business. This book will be a trusty business partner, which you will read and use often.

Bruce C. Brown is the best selling author of How to Use the Internet to Advertise, Promote and Market Your Business or Web Site with Little or No Money and recently completed his third book entitled The Ultimate Guide to Search Engine Marketing: Pay Per Click Advertising Secrets Revealed. Bruce is finishing his 23rd year as an officer in the United States Coast Guard and is looking forward to retirement when he can concentrate on helping others succeed with their online businesses and marketing campaigns. He uses his 20+ years of expertise in financial management in conjunction with more than 12 years as a web designer, business owner, e-marketing consultant, and hardware and software specialist. He completed college during his military career, earning degrees from the University of Phoenix and Charter Oak State College. He currently splits his time between Washington, DC and Land O Lakes, Florida, with his wife, Vonda, and youngest son, Colton. His oldest son, Dalton, is a full-time student at the University of South Florida in Tampa (Go Bulls!), and his middle son, Jordan, is a full-time student at the University of Florida in Gainesville (Go Gators!).