Starting an Online Business All-in-One For Dummies [Paperback]

Shannon Belew (Author), Joel Elad (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 6, 2011 | ISBN-10: 1118123190 | ISBN-13: 978-1118123195 | Edition: 3

Conquer the online marketplace with this new version of a bestseller!

Whether you've thought of starting an online business or you're already selling online, this update to a bestseller presents invaluable advice for getting--and keeping--online customers. Covering everything from creating a business plan and building a customer-friendly site to marketing with Facebook and Twitter, this fun and friendly guide features eleven minibooks that cover online business basics, legal and accounting matters, website design, online and operating issues, Internet security, techniques for boosting sales, storefront selling, fundraising sites, niche e-commerce, and more.

• Updated to include coverage of the latest online marketing tools, techniques, and trends
• Includes coverage?of how to use social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and Yelp to reach your customers as well as expanded coverage of mobile marketing
• Explains how your location can actually bring new customers to you
• Details ways to build a business plan that translates your ideas into a profitable enterprise
• Shares advice for choosing software to help you manage taxes, balance sheets, and other accounting chores; using PR and advertising tools that best promote your business online, including Google AdWords; and create a website that helps your business make money

Discover why "online entrepreneurship" means more than just building a website. Starting an Online Business All-in-One For Dummies breaks down everything the budding entrepreneur needs to know to be successful online and keep your customers coming back for more.?

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Here's everything you need to plan, launch, and maintain a successful online business

The 21st century marketplace is online. Now that you've decided to start a business there, you need a business partner to help you make the most of the medium. Try this book! From developing a business plan to designing your Web site to handling accounting to marketing through social media, this friendly guide is packed with the up-to-date info you need to make your online business boom.

• Get started — think like a netrepreneur, evaluate your idea, build a business plan, and stay legal

• Claim a name — choose the perfect domain name and learn to create a killer Web site

• Go to work — determine a revenue model, establish payment options, manage your inventory, and fill orders efficiently

• Plan for security — know the risks, develop a security plan, and learn how to handle an attack

• Drum up business — market your company via search engine optimization, advertising, blogs, and social media

• Storefront advantages — explore storefront options from Amazon, Yahoo!, and eBay

• Find your niche — consider products and services tailored to a particular customer base

• For nonprofits too — see how your organization can boost awareness and raise funds online

Open the book and find:

• Ideas for funding your online start-up

• Tips on trademarks and copyrights

• Ways to help your customers find you

• How to move your brick-and-mortar customers online

• What mobile commerce can do for you

• Instant e-commerce solutions to try

• Hints for maximizing social media

• Ways to breathe new life into a tired business

11 Books in 1

• Online Business Basics

• Legal and Accounting

• Web Site Design

• Online and Operating

• Internet Security

• Boosting Sales

• Retail to E-Tail

• Storefront Selling

• Fundraising Sites

• Niche E-Commerce

• E-Commerce Advanced

About the Author

Shannon Belew owns several online businesses, including the award-winning, nationally recognized BizOffice.com, a global provider of resources for small and home businesses.

Joel Elad operates NewComix.com, an online business he began in 1998, and contributes to Entrepreneur magazine and SmartBiz.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 888 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 3 edition (December 6, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1118123190
• ISBN-13: 978-1118123195
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.8 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Computers & Technology > Internet & Web Culture > E-Commerce
  • #35 in Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > Marketing
  • #72 in Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > New Business Enterprises

More About the Author

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a must read if your considering starting a business March 17, 2012

By Lisa

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The book arrived in less than 72 hours after I purchased it. And let me say this book is a wealth of knowledge. I have read it cover to cover and have many page markers. It's written in easy to understand lingo and points out many things most people might over look. It's a large book but worth every word. I highly suggest purchasing this if your even considering starting a business. easy read, very detailed, great price, up to date , a must read. I would recommend this to friends and family. One of the better purchases I have made thus far in creating my online business. no regrets.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Useful! March 18, 2012

By Pam

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a very comprehensive book. It has been very useful to me as I work on starting up an online business. The format of the book allows you to easily reference only those sections that are applicable to your interest. It was also delivered very timely!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Starting Online for Dummies September 3, 2012

By Gordon L. Swanson Sr.

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

So far I love this book. It has been a huge help to me. Much information for such a small price. The author is awesome she really cares about someone besides herself if shows. Thank you Amazon.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Too generalized to be helpful June 25, 2012

By loelli

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book just scratches the surface for what you need to know when started an online business. I'd say if you know absolutely nothing about e-commerce, you might find it helpful, but if you are looking for more in-depth information on the difference aspects of selling online (such as SEO), you're better off purchasing multiple books that are each specialized to that topic.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very useful and all inclusive for starters. August 15, 2012

By Vir Garcia Morales

Format:Kindle Edition

I have found this book very useful and all inclusive for starters. It is oriented for US Online Business which still can be helpful in the concepts for overseas ones. I would start with this book and then get deep on what I am interested with others dedicated to specific topics.

4.0 out of 5 stars awesome book.. May 16, 2013

By Husain A Sheraif

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

a lots informations for me, very detailed, great price, up to date , a must read.
So far I love this book. due i don't found like this book in my arabic language also.
I really believe I can do this with book's guidelines !

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to Understand May 7, 2013

By BeckySuLu

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is well written in easy to understand language. It is very inspiring, positive, and informative, I really believe I can do this!

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful and current April 17, 2013

By John Rice

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I started an online business selling and servicing residential playground equipment and this book was crucial to its current success. I started the process without the book but bought it as the other "For Dummies" books have been an easy read with many helpful tips and I wanted to get some outside ideas with having to spend a lot of time reading. This book was perfect as it was organized into sections of interest that I could read without having to read the entire book to get out of it what I was looking for at that particular moment. As with all other book in this series, it was well organized, easy to follow and understand and made quick work of finding helpful information without having to spend hours researching.

Most importantly, the book offered valuable advice on many topics that I had not even considered. As a tradesman with some college, this book was invaluable to me and my current success as I spent the last few months setting up my website and now I am not only selling playsets on a regular basis, but I am installing and servicing them and have had to hire help to answer the phones , work in the field, and had to get an accountant to help with all of the money that is coming in and to aid me in my taxes. To me, this is my dream fulfilled and I honestly do not believe that my site would look as professional as it does or be as good as it is without the aid of this book- it truly was very helpful to me and I hope that if you are starting your own online business that you give it a try and see exactly what I mean as it walks you through everything from formulating an idea for a business, to getting the proper licensing, to implementing the site and going live on the net. Best wishes on your adventure!!