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

~ Jeremy Shepherd (Author)
Key Phrases: shipping methods, online retail business, merchant credit card account, United States, Creating Your Web Site, Getting Paid (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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. 

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
 

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Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Globe Pequot; 1st edition (February 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762742461
• ISBN-13: 978-0762742462
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #80,458 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #34 in	Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > Home Based
  #82 in	Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Retailing

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 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

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.

8 of 9 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)

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.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely must have this book!, September 24, 2007

By	Cat Cromar - See all my reviews

How to Start a Home-Based Online Retail Business is the perfect book to help you do just that. The book is well-written, easy to read, and provides you with the essential information to begin to do business online.

Jeremy Shepherd got started early in the online world. In 1996 he opened PearlParadise.com, and has become the leading online pearl wholesaler and retailer. His business, which started with the purchase of one pearl necklace during a trip to Beijing, has grown to be a multi-million dollar enterprise.

Shepherd's book details how to save money while starting your online business, how to design and create your website, how to market your business, and how to use a merchant account to allow customers to pay you by credit card. He doesn't even forget to give tips on shipping, which is oh so important to an online purchase, or to tips on avoiding fraud, which is oh so important to you and your business.

How to Start a Home-Based Online Retail Business gets right to the point, doesn't talk down to you, doesn't require a degree in Computer Science to understand, and covers all the necessary details of becoming an online entrepreneur. I love this book.

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Cat Cromar
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