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A reader asks:

I’d like to start a business online but I’m got no idea what. What are your best ideas for an online business?

Well I’ve already listed a number of online business ideas, you’ll find them in the Internet Business Ideas category. Here’s a review of some of the more popular online business ideas:

• Blogging – a blog is a website, like this one, where entries are made in a journal style and are usually displayed in a reverse chronological order. Blogs can be on any topic that takes your interest. Typically most blogs make their money from advertising. If a blogging business sounds interesting to you then you might like to read my article how to start a blogging business.
• E-Books – The Internet has proved ideally suited to self publishing. If you know something/have an area of expertise that would interest or benefit others, then publishing and selling an e-book might interest you, if so take a look at my guide on how to start an ebook business.
• E-Commerce – Opening a shop on the high street will typically require and investment in the region of £20,000 and upwards, whereas you can open up and e-commerce site for as little as £20 (although you’ll still need to budget more for marketing). Starting your business online as an e-commerce venture is a great way to test out it’s viability.
• Ebay – Ebay has been the launch pad for thousands of small online businesses, selling anything and everything imaginable. Take a browse around Ebay and you’re sure to find some ideas for a business.
• Affiliate Marketing – Affiliate marketing is the online answer to commission only salesmen. You promote (market) a companies products through your own website and for every sale you make they pay you a commission. It’s simple and easy to get started especially as you don’t need to worry about making, stocking or fulfilling a product leaving you to focus your time and resources on marketing.
• Freelancing – The Internet has been a great enabler for freelancers, it’s now possible to work for anyone, anywhere in the world finding, winning and delivering the work over the Internet.
• Consulting – The Internet has provided some great new business opportunities for consultants – new areas in which to consult (online marketing) and new ways to find consulting clients (blogging for example).
• Social Networks – Sites like Facebook et al. are big business, but if you can create an online network around a particular market you could have a good business.

Which is the best is however hard to say. It all depends what you are hoping to gain from starting an online business.

Asking John:
Do you have a business question you would like me to answer? If so you can Ask John, inquire about using me as your Business Consultant or or you can ask on the forums where you’ll get both my input and that of your fellow entrepreneurs.

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