Please stop me before I web again!
By Mike Banks Valentine
Here I go again! I'm caught up in the whirlwind of an idea and creating a new web business with nothing but my ISP, a cable modem, a computer and a new domain name to support me. I know it's a sickness but I just can't stop! Someone please
stop me before I web again!
Many small business entrepreneurs online have started this way. You get what seems to be a really good concept either from a friend or possibly even in a dream and you are off
and running. Check for the availability of an appropriate domain name, scribble some notes on a napkin at dinner, tell a trusted friend or two about the concept, create
a logo idea and either call the web designer or start right in designing your site the same night.
This one came to me from a friend who shared an idea for a new web business with me over dinner. I shared my own take on the idea and added a few more thoughts to a skeleton of a business plan and before you know it we've fleshed out the concept and have started dressing it up for a night on the town! We're both so anxious and excited to begin that we each have dreams that night of a wildly successful and fun new business.
Contrary to the typical television stereotype of money hungry maniacs, salivating over the possibility of a huge new IPO (initial public offering) and undreamed of riches, we simply
think it would be fun to do and may even keep us well fed and reasonably dressed for awhile. We'll both continue with what we get paid to do in the real world while designing the site and further polishing the business model we've crafted.
I suspect this is a relatively common scenario among those of us who have been online for a few years and have studied the comings and goings of small businesses on the web. I'll go even further and submit that millions of people have done exactly the same thing but have not had the required business knowledge and the skills or connections to get a web site created, posted, Submited to the search engines and promoted.
My new business partner is an example of one of these millions who have ideas, but don't have the know-how to make it happen. In this particular case, I'm glad that I was able to fill the technical and creative void and help launch a new business on the web, but how many more wonderful ideas will go undeveloped?
Why would that happen? Because the creator doesn't know what an URL is and swears at the computer, then turns it off when they see the "blue screen of death" instead of knowing it's time to consider running a defrag program. It might be that they don't
like the idea of sitting in front of a computer for days on end learning to operate a good web authoring program. It could just be that they believe it takes a Harvard MBA to run a successful business and wish they could just sell or license the idea and
be done with it.
Whatever the reason, I just can't help wondering how many good online businesses would be launched if there weren't those small technical hurdles to overcome.
Do you have a great idea for a fun new online business? I may be available to help you out with it in May 17, 2032 when I run out of my own ideas and finish helping friends get their small business online!
--------------------------------------------------------
WebSite101 "Reading List" Weekly Netrepreneur Tip Sheet
Ezine emphasizing small business online http://website101.com/arch/
e-tutorial online at: http://website101.com/shortcourse.html
By week's end you're ready expand your business to the web!
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
More How To Articles
More By Developer Shed
 developerWorks - FREE Tools!
|
The IBM DB2 Deep Compression ROI tool is designed for DBA’s and IT management personnel to perform a clinical analysis of the cost savings gained from the Storage Optimization feature of DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX and Windows. The feature, also known as Deep Compression, compresses data that lies within a database by up to 80% at times.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Learn field-tested SOA principles, methodology, technology and implementation from the global SOA market leader - in a new e-book by an IBM SOA expert. Written by IBM Certified SOA Solution Designer Bobby Woolf, "Exploring IBM SOA Technology & Practice" is the ultimate insider's guide to SOA - a PDF e-book packed cover to cover with IBM's specific advice on how to make your SOA implementation a success.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Effective governance for lean development isn’t about command and control. Instead, the focus is on enabling the right behaviors and practices through collaborative and supportive techniques. Hear from Scott Ambler on how it is far more effective to motivate people to do the right thing than it is to force them to do so. Learn how to form a lightweight, collaboration-based framework that reflects the realities of modern IT organizations.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Poor Requirements Management capabilities in an Enterprise have been linked to excessive project failures, escalating IT costs, and failure to deliver competitive advantage into the marketplace. Join Brianna M Smith from IBM Rational and learn about how successful organizations align IT and Business stakeholders through collaborative processes and tools for effective requirements management, and how an integrated approach across the IT lifecycle can provide unparalleled visibility and traceability to ensure that project teams are delivering on the business vision by "doing the right things" and "doing things right."
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Learn to enable users to both rate existing animations and to combine existing animations into new snippets. This is the third in a series of three tutorials that chronicle the building of a site that enables collaborative discussion and animation building using Domino and OpenLaszlo.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Visit IBM developerWorks to download IBM DB2 Express-C 9.5, a no-charge version of DB2 Express 9 database server. DB2 Express-C offers the same core data server base features as other DB2 Express editions and provides a solid base to build and deploy applications developed using C/C++, Java, .NET, PHP, and other programming languages.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
This whitepaper provides areas to consider when evaluating any software configuration management solution. It addresses how the IBM solutions (Rational ClearCase and Rational ClearQuest) meet the needs and requirements of both project leaders and developers to provide successful Software Change and Configuration Management.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Get a free trial download of the latest version of IBM Rational Performance Tester V7.0.1, a load and performance testing solution for teams concerned about the scalability of their Web-based applications. Combining multiple ease-of-use features with granular detail, Rational Performance Tester simplifies the test-creation, load-generation and data-collection processes that help teams ensure the ability of their applications to accommodate required user loads.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
The Eclipse community is constantly working to extend Eclipse's functionality. In this webcast, learn about some of the most important and feature-rich projects under development. From multi-language support to plug-in development, tune in to see what Eclipse is capable of now.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
WebSphere Process Server delivers a unique integration framework that simplifies existing IT resources. Often, as IT assets grow to support business demand, so too does their complexity and manageability. In this webcast, we’ll discuss how WebSphere Process Server helps deliver an SOA infrastructure that provides a common model to orchestrate, mediate, connect, map, and execute the underlying IT functions. Discover how WebSphere Process Server simplifies integration of business processes by leveraging existing IT assets as reusable services without the complexities of traditional integration methodologies.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
All FREE IBM® developerWorks Tools!
|
