ProfitBrite

Starting Your Own Online Business - How to Begin

One thing I've learned - if you want to sell online, you really need to narrow down your products to a specific niche. I tried selling other pieces of sterling jewelry, but they just didn't do well. People who shop online are looking for something specific, so the narrower your niche, the easier you'll be found.

For example, if you're going to make jewelry, make something unique. Did you ever see the headbands with feathers on them? Or jewelry made out of old typewriter keys? These are very specific niches that capture an audience looking for those things.

Once you think of what you want to sell, do A LOT of research. Look on eBay, Etsy and other online selling forums for similar products, looking specifically at past sales (on eBay it's called "completed items", you can choose this option on the left hand side of the screen after you search for something). See which items sold and try to figure out why - was it price? The way the listing was set up? Did they have great pictures? etc...

When I first started I followed two or three other sellers that had good sales, and I looked to see what was popular in their stores, what prices they used, etc. I even ordered a bead from one of them so I could see how they packaged their items.

The goal is to find something that you love, because if you don't love it, you won't want to do it. Being your own boss can be a grueling business at times. There are late nights, angry customers, and slow periods where the money's not coming in. Your passion for your business will get you through these times, and will reflect in every area of your business.

So think about what you love, what you want to be doing in five years, and research your options before choosing what type of business you want, and what product or service you want to offer.

Jennifer Colgan is a mom to two wonderful kids and owner of [http://katiescharms.com]Katie's Charms, an online business that she started in 2009. Jennifer's goal is to use the information she's learned to help other moms who want to start their own businesses.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Starting-Your-Own-Online-Business---How-to-Begin&id...] Starting Your Own Online Business - How to Begin