When making the decision to start and online business or a home based business, there is no doubt that the most common struggle people find is simply getting started. Where to begin is the single most important question to answer to get your online business off the ground successfully. This article will provide you with the 4 steps you need to help kick start your business and get you up and running fast.

Step 1: Starting an online business is pretty much the same as starting a brick and mortar business, except that the cost is much lower and so is the risk. As with any business, the first step is deciding about your core business. Are you going to sell products, services, affiliates, or a combination of the three? I recommend preparing a spreadsheet and list some possible choices based upon your interests and things you know. Ex: If you like to scuba dive, you may be interested in selling scuba equipment. If you teach fly fishing, maybe you want to simply advertise your services. Either way, generate a list, do some online research and decide on several possible choices. Remember, you don’t have to be stuck in the same internet business forever. Once the setup steps are learned, you can change you business rather easily. That is the beauty and simplicity of an internet based business. So, even if it is small, get started, because that is the important thing.

Step 2: Once you’ve decided on your business, it’s time for you to search for a reliable web host to start up your own web site. Purchasing a professional and logical domain name for your site is key. If you sell products, it should be related to the products you are selling. If you are providing a service, you may choose your name, company name or something that relates to the service you are providing. A variety of companies sell domain name that also include web hosting. Some of the more popular are GoDaddy.com, YourPowerHost.com, MyQuickDomains.com and many more. A quick Google search will provide many Web Host and Domain Name providers. They are all similarly priced and should be able to give you instructions on how to purchase both your web site and your domain name.

Step 3: If you are selling products you will need to find a website builder if your web host does not provide the service or is not sufficiently sized to handle your needs. This is typically the most expensive step in creating your online business. If you are unfamiliar with website creation, HTML, keywords, etc., you may consider having your websiteat yahoo prepared for you or be “coached” on how to build the website. Again, these services can be costly, do a little research before deciding which direction to go at this point. The costs for website builders can range from $5,000 to $20,000 depending upon the package you choose. Yes, this is expensive but still much less than the startup for a brick and mortar business.

If you are starting and online business and selling services or affiliate programs, you typically will not need extensive website construction and multiple-page sites. Often, the affiliates provide the website, different pages and money collection systems. Selling a service typically includes a website with a few pages but there are many places to create these types of sites at very reasonable prices. You can always expand your website later so don’t get caught up in Cadillac service. A nice Ford will do just fine at this time.

Step 4: Marketing, this is often the most difficult (and most important) step I growing your business. One of the best and most cost effective marketing tools is to write articles and to post them on your web pages and blogs. This is to give customers and potential customers information on the products or services that you are selling. There are many forms of internet marketing and mastering just a few will undoubtedly give your new online business the fuel needed for a quick start.

Now you’ve seen the 4 steps to “How to Start and Online Business”, there’s no more excuse for delay. So, get started and get down to business.

I you are interested in learning more about Internet marketing and combining that with an outstanding Online Business, please continue on to my site.

Mr. Chaffin operates several online retail websites selling various products in several different markets. He is also an internet marketing expert, business coach and consultant. Having started and owned a successful consulting firm, Mr. Chaffin started chaffinonlinesolutions.com to capture the unbelievable opportunities provided by the interent and online businesses. Through persistence, hard work, motivation and connections with very successful individuals in the Internet Marketing world, Mr. Chaffin now provides instruction and coaching to other internet marketers. His concise and direct articles provide clear instruction on internet marketing concepts and keys to starting and growing a successful online business.