Starting a Web Based Business towards Financial Freedom – Yes
It's easy to find a number of websites and organizations which claim that they're willing to pay you to do work for them in the form of surveys, marketing assignments, etc. However, if you want income that's more along of the lines of guaranteed profit, and comes with all the other benefits of online, home-based work, it's best to start your OWN online business "from scratch." This way you're neither depending upon nor answering to anyone but yourself.
I've tried various methods of earning income online and I've found much success in my home-based eBay business. Home-based work is great, and the income can easily become consistent (or even increase exponentially) if you use all the proper resources, stay organized, and put in enough hard work. As with any other form of employment, there are various pros and cons to eBay businesses, which I will discuss further.
If you're seriously considering starting your own home-based business, whether it's via eBay or some other means, there are a few things you should consider. As with any business, to build a sold foundation for your home-based profit plan, you will need to invest some funds! I started with a few hundred dollars, which I put towards purchasing my intitial product inventory and shipping supplies (if you're business is not in the sale of physical objects, your investments might go towards building a proper website to advertise your services, etc). I also put some funds aside towards shipping costs. If you are going to be shipping out products to customers/clients, you should carefully estimate funds you may need for this-taking into consideration whether or not you'll be engaging in international shipments, package weights and sizes, shipping fees and service providers (USPS, UPS, Fed Ex, etc.).
Next, you'll need to consider how you'll want to present yourself to potential customers. Since I use eBay, I have a standard layout I use for my auction templates. I also have standard offers like free shipping on certain products, defective product replacement offers, etc. Personal trademarks like a unique appearance to your template/website will provide consistency and allow for your customers to recognize your products, websites and services. This also makes it easy for regular customers to access your products and services.
Also, if you're using eBay, you need to consider that they have a number of policies, rules, fees, and other things which you NEED TO MAKE YOURSELF AWARE OF. Unknowingly breaking rules can result in a number of consequences, including auction cancellation or, worse yet, cancellation of your entire account.
If you've ever purchased something using eBay, you probably understand how common it is for customers to have questions about the product(s) offered in auctions and store items. This leads me to two other things one must consider before beginning a home-based eBay business. 1) Customers WILL e-mail you with questions, comments, etc. It is important that you make yourself available to customers by frequently checking messages so that you reply in a timely manner. 2) Customers leave feedback; your feedback ratings CAN affect your sales by adjusting how trustworthy & reliable of a seller you appear to be. Customers leave feedback based upon not only on the product itself, but also on the ease of transaction and communication with the seller.
These are just some of the initial points one must consider before embarking on a journey towards building a home-based business. Some people use online sales as additional, part-time income while others (like me) engage in web-based businesses as a full-time, primary (or only) means of income.
Remember, web-based self employment CAN and WILL work IF you put in enough thought, time and hard work. If you are not consistent and committed, it will not work out.
Good Luck!
