So you would like to have an online store, but you don't know the first thing about it? Here are some things you might want to consider.
All business involves risk. Good business people don't ignore risks, they mitigate them. That means they do as much research as they can in advance and try to learn what might trip them up. Then they take steps to avoid the common mistakes.
One way to start slowly is to build a part-time business. Start your store without quitting your day job, and read a few books to give you some background.
Small Business for Dummies is a good one to start with, because it's written like all the Dummies series, in simple English by real experts. It covers the basics of business, including how to start part-time. It also points out that business isn't for everyone. And it gives you tips on managing inventory and acquiring customers. Yes, it's an overview, but it's a good place to start.
Guerilla Marketing has been around since 1983, but it has been updated, and it's the small business marketing Bible. It is especially good on strategies for marketing on the Internet and using new technology, such as podcasting and automated marketing. There are also programs in it for cultivating repeat and referral business.
And then there are the awesome books of Seth Godin, author of The Purple Cow. Seth also wrote Permission Marketing and Small is the New Big. You shouldn't have an online store without reading Seth Godin, and the good news is that his books are short, snappy, and fun to read. They won't teach you the same things about inventory that the others will, but they'll teach you everything about marketing.
If you spend a few hours with these books, you will avoid a lot of the frustrations that face online sellers. You will have some tools, and some ideas, in addition to your enthusiasm.
