Business Startup
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Launch Your Business Online

If you are looking to start a small business quickly, with little capital, and run
the entire operation yourself, here’s some good news. Thanks to Web-based
services that offer everything you need, affordably, you can get your venture up
and running in no time and never look back.

Launching a business of any kind is never really easy. For example, no matter
how small the business, you still need a legal structure of some type, such as
corporation, LLC, partnership or sole proprietorship, computers, phones and
Web connections, some financial, budgeting and marketing skills, a bank
account, merchant services to process credit card payments, and much more.

But if you want to start small, build it yourself and grow the business over time,
launching with the help of Web-based services is a viable choice that scores
of entrepreneurs are selecting as a way to get into the business ownership
game.

Service providers such as Interland, Yahoo Small Business, BigStep, 1&1
and others offer simplified do-it-yourself packages that make the setup
process straightforward. Even with little tech know-how, you can get a basic
Web site registered, designed and online quickly for as little as $20 per month.


You’ll still need to work hard at attracting customers, just like any new
business. In some ways the task is ever harder online because you are
competing with millions of others doing the same thing. Make sure your Web
site is listed in search engines and get more out of your listings. You’ll find
help for search engine submission at SearchEngineWatch.com. This site
offers submission tips, Web searching tips, search engine reviews and other
resources.

Targeted ads attached to keyword search results are a great way to promote
your wares. Their simplicity, low cost and popularity among small businesses
have made them the main method for connecting buyers and merchants
online. Business owners also like the concept because you pay only when
someone clicks your ad and visits your site. Google AdWords, www.google.
com/ads, is one of the leaders.

To get visitors more involved in your Web site, add surveys, guest books, auto
responders and downloadable documents. Your Web host may offer some of
these.  Helpful resources include: ConstantContact.com and Topica.com.

Microsoft Small Business Center (MSBC) is a portal that offers nearly
everything you’ll need to get up and running — all in one place. MSBC offers a
helpful suite of tools and services such as Web marketing, payment
processing, online catalog creation, shopping cart, list building, banner ads
and search engine submission. Visit www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness.

To learn more about establishing your small business, contact SCORE
"Counselors to America's Small Business." SCORE is a nonprofit
organization of more than 10,500 volunteer business counselors who provide
free, confidential business counseling and training workshops to small
business owners. Go to www.scoredm.org on the web or call (515) 284-4760
between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.