I want to start an Internet Business. What kind?

[DrMoreau]

What sort of online business can I get going with about $2,000. for start up costs. Anything? It doesn't have to rake in millions, just about a thousand a month in profit after overhead and I'd be satisfied.

I know I could start up a porn site for about this or less. But I'd like suggestions OTHER than porn. If you want to suggest porn than perhaps share your evidence/experience that will convince me that I can actaully profit from it. With all the big name porn sites out there does the little guy really make anything? Besides, who really pays for porn anyway? I've never known anyone who does and yet they still have huge collections of it on their hd.

So with that said, anyone have suggestions?

 

[Cattlegod]

don't do pr0n

an issue or two ago in wired magazine there was a big article about how hard it is to start a pr0n site and how cut throat the business is.

 

[Hossenfeffer]

Dial-a-Geek escort service

 

[littlezipp]

Back to the subject now, I would try to do sometype of accessory sales. Something like aftermarket cell phone accessories would be easy to start up, and there is a huge aftermarket out there!

 

[amnesiac]

Just curious, have you not really paid attention to financial news over the past 2 years? Internet companies have a staggering failure rate. The adult market is way oversaturated; computer equipment requires too much overhead, and referral sites are a dime a dozen. To be honest there's not much room to make any sort of decent money on the 'net unless you have a unique product or service.

 

[Siddhartha]

Dial a hand job.

 

[Sluggo]

$2000 in set-up costs, make $1000 a month after profit? Thats all?

If it were that easy I would have 50 sites like that.

 

[DrMoreau]

<< Just curious, have you not really paid attention to financial news over the past 2 years? Internet companies have a staggering failure rate. The adult market is way oversaturated; computer equipment requires too much overhead, and referral sites are a dime a dozen. To be honest there's not much room to make any sort of decent money on the 'net unless you have a unique product or service. >>



Sure, I am aware of the decline but I don't think this means it should be ruled out completely. With the right idea and the right approach something might actually work in spite of the odds.

I'm also not looking at getting rich with it either. The days of starting a dot com and driving a Porsche the next day are over. Nor is that my style anyhow. But I believe there are some people bringing in at least a supplemental income from internet businesses.

Rather than trying to persuade me against the idea with horror stories and financial statistics I'd just like to hear some ideas tossed around.

Name some niche markets perhaps. I live in south central Alaska. Maybe that will bring something to mind. Help me brainstorm!

 

[Mitzi]

What are you hobbies, what you are good at? Perhaps you could start a site based around them - I think you will have a very hard time making money from a web site though.

 

[amnesiac]

I'm not trying to purposely dissuade you from starting a business; if you can make steady money on the internet kudos to you, but I'm just pointing out that it is VERY hard and chances for losing your investment are much greater there than most other places.

I'd recommend you invest the $2000 instead.

 

[BD2003]

If I knew how to pull that kind of business off, would I tell YOU?

 

[safoo]

well 2000 is certainly enough to start doing a small business...but u cant expect to bring in 1000 profit from the beginning. i hope u realize that to make money in any field is not easy. and when u run your own business, there is a lot of hard work. try to figure out what interests you as ppl have suggested. then see wat type of businesses there are in teh field. you will want to try to find something that will set you apart from the rest of the industry, but you dont have to be unique in the beginning...

most likely, your on your own to think of ideas. because if anyone has a killer idea, they'll most likely run with it themselves...

oh btw, case-mod.com is my brothers and mine business. we just started a few months ago. it takes a lot of work to keep it running. money is not so much a problem really. most important thing is to set your self apart from the rest of the industry...have a unique idea or product that no one else has....

oh ya, u can PM me your super product idea any time...

 

[her209]

How about making a new x86 OS? WANDOWS XT? (XT = eXtremely TAIGHT!!!)

 

[Jerboy]

MailAndNews.com---service will shut down shortly

Netaddress.com/USA.net--- we're sorry but we can no longer offer free service do to increasing cost and the economy

dialpad.com--- used to be free, now cost more than cellphone hours

and many others are having tough time. They are relatively large companies. USA.net was well known email service and dialpad was probably the only company that offered the kind of service they did.


can't you see now isn't the great time to start an internet business?

 

[sitka]

Do grocery deliveries for older people. Your neighbours. Hit the nursing providers. The ones that go and visit the older folks once or twice a week. Show them (the nurses) how to order from your site, on behalf of the client, when they make their visits. I bet they are bombarded with " can you pick me up some cookies next week " requests. This would be very valuable to the care giver and in time the elderly will exploit it as well. Patience is the issue here, but it is a workable local model.

 

[tcsenter]

<< I'm not trying to purposely dissuade you from starting a business; if you can make steady money on the internet kudos to you, but I'm just pointing out that it is VERY hard and chances for losing your investment are much greater there than most other places. >>

Exactly. If hundreds of companies who had millions to play with are now closing their doors for good, what does that say for someone with only $2,000 and doesn't even know what he wants to do with it?

Again, its not impossible, just that its a long shot. Its all about probabilities. Maybe you will have better odds at the horse track?

 

[Nemesis77]

If you must ask "what kind of business", then I suggest you don't do it. First rule of setting up a business: You must have an idea. Second rule of business: you form a business-plan based on that idea. You don't have an idea for a business. If you don't have an idea or a business-plan then you can't really start a business.

You can't just decide to start a business. You must first have an idea for a business.

 

[her209]

Wandows XT.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

<< Do grocery deliveries for older people. Your neighbours. Hit the nursing providers. The ones that go and visit the older folks once or twice a week. Show them (the nurses) how to order from your site, on behalf of the client, when they make their visits. I bet they are bombarded with " can you pick me up some cookies next week " requests. This would be very valuable to the care giver and in time the elderly will exploit it as well. Patience is the issue here, but it is a workable local model. >>



If the elderly would be able to use computers and had them in the first place that is.
For them phoning the store would be easier, half of them prolly never worked with a computer before, let alone with the internet. Can't afford to buy computers for all those elderly folks for $2000.

 

[Nefrodite]

handjobs, but thats about it, all other stupid ideas have been tried.

 

[jjones]

despite the naysayers, money can be made on the internet. the key to success is your marketing model. you have to be able to get your information out in an economic manner so that users will find you, yet you won't be paying a bundle to bring them to your site. you have to sell to beat the competition or at least offer better customer services; the internet is a highly competitive marketplace and the only way you can stand out is by price or services or both.

what kind of business? if this were an easy answer, everyone would be making their living off the internet. generally speaking, you should offer products or services in something you know well or can learn well. try to find a niche market; it's better to be one of a hundred than one of 1,000 or 10,000.

being in alaska, you could always sell snowcones in hell but you'll have to negotiate good shipping rates.

 

[Bellgoody]

<< You can't just decide to start a business. You must first have an idea for a business. >>

DrMoreau - That sums it up nicely.
Out of curiosity, how old are you?

 

[linuxboy]

What sort of online business can I get going with about $2,000. for start up costs. Anything? It doesn't have to rake in millions, just about a thousand a month in profit after overhead and I'd be satisfied.

You can resell cheap trinkets/goods online. Partner up with a company, they handle all shipping and orders, all you have to do is drive in the customers. To do that, you just need to do marketing. If you want to work, do direct or telemarketing. The industry is not that competitive and if you can get enough suckers, erm, I mean customers, you can make a decent profit, right along the lines you describe. Have to work your arse off though.

I take it you're thinking of something goods based that sells based on a site and not just a site that can be used to drive business or sell services. In that case, you'd be better off starting something off. The only real viable and solvent business model and strategy that I know of is Amazon's. And you can't really do that on your scale. If you specialize, then it will not really be an online business but one driven by you, that is by the sales.

May want to look into a franchise but costs are higher than what you want. It's not quite that easy and the rule is that if you have to ask, then you probably shouldn't be doing it. Invest or get a second job until you have more solid financial backing and a better idea/plan.


Cheers !

 

[StageLeft]

<< Just curious, have you not really paid attention to financial news over the past 2 years? Internet companies have a staggering failure rate. The adult market is way oversaturated; computer equipment requires too much overhead, and referral sites are a dime a dozen. To be honest there's not much room to make any sort of decent money on the 'net unless you have a unique product or service. >>

 

[cybergrave]

Dr,

You have a budget of ~ $2000.
I do not know what your techical/busness skills are.

So I am giving some ideas based on the assumption that you can manage an online business yourself.

Here are some:

1) Being in Alaska, have you thought about a Tourism portal? Now this may sound so boring but hey if you can get 10 tourists to stay in a hotel by booking thru you site, you are a winner. Try finding out but again depends on your geographical location.

2) Sell computer parts/accesories/services to local Schools or Govt Agencies. I am in this business and its going ok in this weak market.

3) Try developing an online store for fishing/hobbies/games etc etc. Collabrate with existing vendors.

5) Start a Cell Phone accesory store (online) as somebody pointed it out earlier or maybe start a store in real sellign cell phones etc,

Hope these help.