Starting Your Internet Business Right
Huh?
Most people are familiar enough with their computers to use them effectively. Check social media, play some games, write a few emails, surf the internet, maybe pay some bills...
But it really does not matter what your experience level is. If you're an average computer user, you may suddenly get lost in all the buzzwords and jargon that gets thrown at you when you consider opening an online store.
THIS IS WHY most people will give up trying to run their online business themselves, and will turn the whole thing over to one of the scam artists we talked about in Chapter One.
DON'T DO IT! Don't give up. It's not that hard. There are two basic LEGITIMATE ways you can build an Online store of your own, and they're not that hard. We'll get into that in detail later, but right now, let's talk about your computer, and what you should have in order to be able to work with your new store.
If you've had your computer for a few years or it's a new computer, chances are you are using the latest Windows Operating System or Mac Operating System.
It really doesn't matter which one you use. Windows is an Operating System; kind of a background, basic structure that allows you to use other programs. All Windows really does is provide a "platform" from which you "launch" other computer programs that you actually use. For example, you might want to write a letter and print it out. You'll probably use Microsoft Word for this. Windows itself simply launches this program for you, and allows it to co-exist with other programs you might have active at the same time.
With this in mind, there are two basic ways to start your business online.
1.) Method One: Use a LEGITIMATE Online Store solution. (DO NOT confuse this with the scam artists!) There are only a few really good ones out there. With a good Pre-built Online Store solution:
- You have basically no control over the look and operation of your site. BUT...
- You have help from the solution provider to build and operate your store.
2.) Method Two: Use a LEGITIMATE ECommerce Hosting Provider: Build the site with a LEGITIMATE ECommerce hosting provider, and drive your own traffic (customers) to it. We'll talk about that in more detail as well. With this option, you:
- Have total control over your site's look and structure
- Still has support behind them when needed.
That's the trade-off between the two options. An Online Store solution with pre-bilt sites and limited templates often gives you fewer choices for making your store look and feel unique, but offers a great deal of help with the process. An ECommerce Hosting Provider store offers you more complete control of the store, but you have to spend more energy creating the store.
Regardless which method you choose, you'll need the following on your computer. The first three probably came with your computer!:
1. An Internet connection to your computer. You obviously already have this, or you would not be reading this page. :o)
2. An An Internet Browser. Again, something you already have, but you should always keep your browsers upgraded to the latest versions.
3. A way to send and receive email, which I'm sure you already have if you're on the Internet.
4. Image Software. You'll want to play around with the product images you're going to put on your site, and you probably will want to get creative and make yourself a logo or two for your store. CanvaPro is great for this! .
That's it. That's all you really need.
No matter which way you go, you'll find that when you work with a legitimate company, there will be plenty of tech support to help you along the way. It's NOT all that hard, and YOU will be in the driver's seat, instead of wondering what happened to your hard-earned money. :o)
