How to Start a Home-Based Online Retail Business (Home-Based Business Series) [Paperback]

Nicole Augenti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2007 | Series: Home-Based Business Series

All the information you need to get online and selling, from creating a winning website to writing a business plan, software choices, security issues, taking credit cards, taxes and record keeping, marketing your business, legal matters, and how to grow your business. 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[C]ombines basic start-up information with topics like the importance of bringing passion to your side business and making time for a personal life. . . . Friendly advice from the trenches."—Library Journal (Starred review)

From the Back Cover

Have you always wanted to be an entrepreneur? Do you like to shop or have a passion for a product that you’d like to share with the world? Ever fantasized about working from the comfort of home? Now you can make your dreams a reality.
Through plain language and real-world examples, online entrepreneur Jeremy Shepherd takes you through every aspect of setting up and running a thriving home-based online retail business. He shares his vast experience and expert advice on everything from finding your niche and sourcing your inventory to advertising your product and staying profitable.
Whether you want to keep your business a part-time effort or turn it into a full-time job, this guide can help you build your own successful online retail business.

Includes:
Advice from the Trenches

Time Management Worksheets

Web Design Tips

Sample Financial Plan

Educational Resources

FAQs
 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Globe Pequot; 1st edition (February 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762742461
• ISBN-13: 978-0762742462
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #642,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Warning: Very elementary, May 10, 2010

By 

M. Nowacki "bocamick" (mentor, ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Start a Home-Based Online Retail Business (Home-Based Business Series) (Paperback)

Read the book in an hour and was extremely disappointed. The author has one whole chapter devoted to how to create a home office. If you can't even figure out how to create a home office, you should NOT start a business.

The rest of the first half of the book is whether to start a sole proprietorship, LLC, S Corp, C corp, and that you should get trademarks, copyrights, and proper licenses. Skip everything he says, your lawyer will give you all the advice you need.

The 12th chapter is a perfect example of how disappointed I was in the author. The 12th chapter is called "Expanding your Business" and the books title is called "How to START a Home-Based Online Retail Business". Think about that for a second.

The last chapter is almost comical. It is about how to keep good relationships with your friends/family and have balance in your life. If I wanted a Tony Robbins or Steven Covey book I would have bought one. I thought I was buying a book on starting an online retail business.

I couldn't have been more disappointed.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Touches on Important areas, leaves some gaps, February 23, 2008

By 

Jamie L. Jarrin "Online Shopping Princess" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Start a Home-Based Online Retail Business (Home-Based Business Series) (Paperback)

A found this to be a general overview and "get your feet wet" book on opening your online retail store. I thought there was a little too much storyline and not enough in-depth information. For example, when filing for a Trademark/Servicemark (so nobody can use your name or symbol) the author only touched on this subject. It really didn't go into the online process of applying for a Trademark/Servicemark, which is very in-depth and very important information.

Chapter 7- "What you Need to Know about Creating Your Website" definitely needs to be expanded and the author needs to elaborate. I think he should've used more examples on SEO (search engine optimization) a critical area in the survival of your website. More specific tips for increasing traffic to your site is definitely needed.

The author did a pretty good job on explaining shipping methods and establishing merchant accounts (visa/mc) and what to expect with fees. Chapter 9- "Getting Paid" was helpful.

Lastly, less fuzz on creating balance in your life, creating personal time, making time for family and friends. I think I needed more meat and potatoes with this book, less cranberry sauce. It's worth picking up the book, because it's practically the only book available of its kind, but keep in mind this book will mainly serve as an outline for starting your business, the rest is up to you.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will save you a lot of money !, February 22, 2007

By 

dusty "dusty" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Start a Home-Based Online Retail Business (Home-Based Business Series) (Paperback)

From the voice of experience the author gives tips on how to succeed in an on-line venture. A few oversights or wrong decisions can wipe out the cash of a new business. I learned how to avoid the pitfalls, that could destroy my life long dreams of owning my own business. I would recommend this book as a must have for any new entrepreneur and I will keep it handy as a desk-side tool for reference.