Wouldn't it be nice to have an online business and work from home? Or have an online business on top of your full time job for some extra cash?

This is where we shall share what we know about online businesses, and who knows maybe it'll help one of us launch an online business.

The great thing about the internet these days is that any business is possible. But, it still takes an idea that for a product or service you can provide and produce that people are willing to pay money for because it has value.

I don't think I could run an online business directly, I like actually meeting new people in person too much. I think the internet is facing some problems with regard to the line between legitimate businesses and those simply providing access to content generated or created elsewhere.

I had a friend who is starting up his website. I thought I would never have a chance of starting my own online business because I lack the computer skills.
He told you me you can hire someone to do it for you for a cheap price and that person would consult you and tell you what steps need to be taken to improve your website.

Eric, you mentioned a challenge that people would face when starting an online business, is it a legitamate business or not?

In that case, I think the website developer would advise you on how to make your website more comforting and trustworthy for potential users.

A lot of online businesses tend to be about SEO or search engine optimization. I will let everyone know I worked online in a small SEO firm and was totally turned off by the area of business, lots of snake oil salesman. Be very careful about starting a business online as it can be a lot of rip off artists or get rich quick schemes out there targeting business people.
Now for most people they will probably work off a word press platform with integrated sales tools or will work in digital media. http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/ (warning they may use adult language, concepts in some videos) is a great example of digital media used in a business manner, the content is based on niche media, movies, old comics and cartoons/movies and the revenue is all ad based. One of the video sets is a season by season breakdown of the power rangers TV show, its over 8 hours long in total.

I would love to have an online business, but I also lack the computer skills to start up a website. I would also be very worried about being able to keep up with the demand. If I were to let's say get 'popular' quickly, would I be able to still provide a quality product and/or service to my customers? And how would you get started on something like an online business?

It really depends what your product is and who the target consumer is.

I had a friend/colleague awhile back who had his own online business and he was the boss of his board of directors, complete with suits and meetings. They were selling products like towels, soap, groceries, detergent, etc. in an online store with a beautiful webpage all at pretty good prices. It was like an online Real Canadian Superstore. At the time, I asked him if anyone actually made purchases and he said his mom did (and that was pretty much it). I saw him actually last week and it turned out his business died out a long time ago. It's likely because these products, although they are somewhat cheaper on his site, are really easily available everywhere at any time and the target audience is like parents and adults, most of whom still don't trust online shopping.

As an alternative to online business but also doing business on the side is renting out one of those boxes at those Chinese/Asian places. There are stores that are lined with transparent boxes, and inside each box is like a different mini-store. Someone I know buys Hello Kitty hairclips and accessories cheaply from China, rents out a box here at a Chinese mall, advertises it through her Facebook, and makes $700 every month re-selling to Hello Kitty lovers here in the Vancouver area.

Someone else manages the box store and makes sure you get the money you make. You just stay at home, so it's pretty much the same thing.

I'm no business woman, but when I talk business, there's usually certain sense of trust that I would expect between the supplier and the consumer. Business men and women must have interpersonal skills specifically to reinforce this trust between buyer and seller, to make a business more profitable. Of course, this does not always apply for huge companies ( I doubt most people have a sense of trust with the people that run Wal-Mart), but I speak regarding smaller business, or just starting out. The relationship is essential.

Ive actually just started an online business myself and truthfully it's not easy. I'm not great at marketing and maybe that's part of of, but if you wann find out more send me a message and ill gladly let you know! If you're interested you can check out my website www.amway.ca/Janicechan And if you like he products sign up as a client and help me out! The money would be really great to have as I'm looking at going away for school next year and it's expensive!

Please tAke a look, I promise you it's A legitimate website And company, you can search up Amway. It's been in Canada for 50 years this year!