{"id":10865,"date":"2019-01-24T10:22:38","date_gmt":"2019-01-24T15:22:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/?p=10865"},"modified":"2020-04-14T15:45:41","modified_gmt":"2020-04-14T20:45:41","slug":"how-to-start-online-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/how-to-start-online-business\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Start An Online Business in 9 Simple Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you have an idea for starting an online business and need help getting online? In the past, all businesses needed physical locations, but as online shopping continues to rise, many people are making successful business on the internet. All you need is a good idea, some startup money, time to get started, and you can start an online business. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur, starting an online business is one of the easiest ways to get your foot in the door. And online businesses, when run well, can be extremely profitable. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to get started? Here are the first steps to start an online business.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

  1. Start with a really great idea. <\/span><\/li>
  2. Decide on a business name. <\/span><\/li>
  3. Secure a domain name. <\/span><\/li>
  4. Determine your income model, and develop a business plan. <\/span><\/li>
  5. Select a web hosting package. <\/span><\/li>
  6. Build your website.<\/span><\/li>
  7. Prepare your inventory.<\/span><\/li>
  8. Tell the world! Create and execute your marketing plan.<\/span><\/li>
  9. Launch!<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Download a FREE checklist to chart your progress!<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Let\u2019s dive in!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"build<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    1. Start with a Really Great Idea.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Since you searched for this article, chances are that you already have an idea for your online business. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you have a business or product idea that you think people will be interested in, confirm that with market research. You can get creative and do a little bit of online market research yourself. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, a couple of businesses like <\/span>Ask Your Target Market<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>GutCheck<\/span><\/a> will connect you with members of your target audience so you can ask them questions directly and gain a better idea of what they\u2019re likely to think of your product. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you already have an idea of your target audience, you can browse forums on <\/span>Reddit<\/span> to see what people are talking about. Are there hobby groups on Reddit related to your product? If so, they may talk about new products they would like to see or complaints about an old product. You can use these discussions to help refine your business idea. Or, if you\u2019re looking for direct feedback, consider posting on Reddit about your product or idea and see how people respond to it.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Maybe you want to start an online business for some passive income, but don\u2019t have your idea fully developed yet? That\u2019s okay too. Start by thinking about popular products in a hobby or niche area that you\u2019re familiar with. How can you improve on those products or create a companion product that would make the experience better? <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Maybe a service offering is more your speed. Consider these <\/span>trendy online business ideas<\/span><\/a> for your side hustle. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Decide on a Business Name.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    As you\u2019re steadily moving toward the point of your launch, it\u2019s time to determine how your business will appear to the world. If you\u2019ve gotten this far without settling on a name for your online business, then now is the time to make a decision. <\/span>Choosing a name for your business<\/span><\/a> is hard. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The name is the biggest decision to make as you work on your brand, and it\u2019s likely the most important decision since it will set the foundation for your brand and other decisions you will make next.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    First, decide what needs to be in your online business name. For example, what keywords do your competitors use in their name? Are there key terms you should use or avoid? For example, your personal training business may get more traction and recognition if 'personal training'\u009d is in the name versus something vague like 'Bill\u2019s Transformations.'\u009d <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After you brainstorm a list of keywords to consider (and keywords to avoid), come up with half a dozen or more business name ideas with your keywords in mind. Next, you\u2019ll need to see which business names are available. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Run your list of names through the <\/span>trademark database search tool<\/span><\/a> at the US Patent and Trademark Office. If your business name idea (or a close variation) is already in use, remove that name from your list of options. Do a similar search on social media and on Google to be sure someone else isn\u2019t already using the name.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Secure a Domain Name.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    You\u2019ve decided on a business name – congrats! Now it\u2019s time to claim your domain name. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You\u2019ve spent so much time thoughtfully deciding on the name for your online business, and you don\u2019t want someone else to buy it before you. Even if it may be a few months before you\u2019re ready to start a website, that\u2019s ok. Purchase your domain now so you know it\u2019s safe and ready when you are. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Use HostGator\u2019s <\/span>domain name search tool<\/span><\/a> to see if your top choice is available. Then follow the steps to purchase your domain.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"get<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    If your business name is unique enough, you can go straight for the most obvious choice: YourBrandName.com.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the most obvious domain is already taken, then you may have to get a little creative.  You can either go with one of the other domain extensions like .net or .me, use a hyphen or underscore between words to change things up, or add a minor addition to the name, like 'go'\u009d at the beginning or a word that clarifies the industry afterward.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4. Determine Your Income Model and Develop a Business Plan.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    So how will you make money? Are you selling products? Are you launching a blog and need to make money through an <\/span>affiliate program<\/span><\/a> or referral links? Do you want to earn passive income? Maybe you need investors? <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The answer may determine the type of website you need (an online store and shopping cart function) or the type of partnerships you\u2019ll need to find (sign up with a website that pays for purchases from referral links). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you need investors to make a profit, a business plan will be one of the most important tools you have for convincing them to buy in. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Even if you aren\u2019t explicitly looking for investors, creating a <\/span>business plan<\/span><\/a> will help you clarify your goals and figure out the specific steps you need to take to achieve them.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Make sure your business plan includes an analysis of the competition and a clear positioning statement of where you fit within the market. It should also include information on your target audience, which your market research should have given you a nice head start on collecting.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    All of that gives you the information you need to make sure your approach is solid. With that in place, you\u2019ll have an easier time working out the chronology of what to do when and what finances and resources you\u2019ll need to complete each step.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In short, your business plan should do two key things:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n