Starting an Online Business All-In-One For Dummies

From Starting an Online Business All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies, 2nd Edition by Shannon Belew, Joel Elad

Getting your online business up and running involves establishing a timeline, getting to know helpful Web sites for online business owners, preparing to launch your online business Web site, and establishing a loyal customer base.

Timeline for Starting Your Online Business

To get your online business up and running, you need a plan and record a timeline. An online business timeline like this can help you make sure you don't miss any steps, can tell you what the next step in the process is, and keeps you on track for launching your online business on your own schedule.

Action	Completion Date	Action	Completion Date
Finalize or validate business idea.	______	Secure funding (if using outside sources).	______
Write a formal business plan.	______	Apply for sales tax certificate (if applicable).	______
Select a business name.	______	Select hosting service.	______
Register business name.	______	Select Web developer.	______
Choose domain name.	______	Select distributor or drop shipper.	______
Register domain name.	______	Create content for Web site.	______
Identify business location.	______	Select products and finalize services.	______
Check zoning laws (if home based).	______	Develop Web site.	______
Set up office.	______	Add shopping cart or other e-commerce applications.	______
Decide organization status of company.	______	Obtain merchant account.	______
Legalize business structure.	______	File trademarks and copyrights.	______
Obtain business license.	______	Submit site to major search engines.	______
Set up business bank account.	______	Initiate marketing plan.	______
Meet with accountant to review tax requirements.	______	Test (and correct) all site functions.	______
Obtain employer identification number (EIN).	______	Launch site to public!	______
Secure business and health (or other types of) insurance.	______

Online Business Web Sites You Need to Know

Starting and running an online business isn't easy; sometimes you need help. Here are some Web sites that will help you start and operate your online business more efficiently. These sites help with things like mailings, financing, fraud, and Web site content.

Web Site	URL	What You Can Do
Electronic Copyright Office	http://www.copyright.gov/register	Register your site’s content.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)	http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html?portlet=3	Access and print IRS publications and forms.
Internet Crime Complaint Center	http://www.ic3.gov/complaint	Report online fraud and e-mail abuse.
Patent and Trademark Office	http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm	Search the trademark database.
U.S. Postal Service	https://sss-web.usps.com/cns/landing.do	Print postage and ship from your computer.
Small Business Administration (SBA)	http://www.sba.gov/financing	Find financing information and loan applications.

A Site Launch Checklist for Your Online Business

Are you ready to push that last button and launch your online business Web site? Before you go live, use this list and check off the items that apply to you:

My site map (or the layout and structure of all my Web pages) is complete.
The site map matches my Web pages — exactly.
Each Web site page is displayed and is fully accessible.
Every link throughout the site works properly and opens the appropriate page.
All graphics and photos are loaded quickly and completely, and the images are crisp and clean.
My content is free of misspellings and grammatical errors.
Pricing information and product or service descriptions are correct.
Pages with online forms or registration information function when I press the Submit button, and the information is sent (in the specified format) to the designated point of contact.
Text boxes or drop-down boxes on forms and other pages work correctly.
Buttons for top-level menus work. (Ensure that these buttons, like the one that returns users to your home page, function properly on every single page.)
Special commands that are spelled out with coding language (HTML or PHP, for example) show up properly when the site loads.
My credit card processor or other payment service option is in place and working.
All e-commerce-related functions, such as my shopping cart, operate correctly.
Any membership icons or logos (such as Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce member emblems) are included on the site.
I tested my site for browser compatibility and screen resolution.
My site was tested using a dialup connection and a broadband connection.
Contact information using my e-mail address or phone number is clearly displayed and easy to find.
The copyright symbol and current year are prominently placed at the bottom of every page.

How to Get and Keep Customers for Your Online Business

The success of your online business depends on building and keeping a loyal customer base. Here are some tips for getting and keeping online customers happy:

Offer multiple ways for customers to communicate with you (including e-mail, phone, real-time online support, and online forums).
Respond to customer e-mail within 24 hours.
Engage customers by providing ways to interact with your site (such as participating in online communities, writing product reviews, and commenting on blogs).
Make customers feel special by sending coupons and other exclusive offers to your registered users or frequent buyers.
Give customers several different payment options to make buying easy.
Offer free shipping — no strings attached.
Collect personal customer information (with permission) and use it to send special offers or gifts on birthdays and anniversaries and other special occasions.
Find creative ways to thank customers for visiting your site and for making a purchase.