I am interested in starting an online business?

I would like to start a business making custom invitations, birth announcements, etc. but have no idea where to start. Does anybody give me the what my first step would be. Ebay has been mentioned but I'm not familiar with that either. Do I just post my completed work for a price.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I have done online business and you will need a phone number. Best way to do it for your situation is to use http://kall8.tollfree2.com
Get a business number there for $2 and foward calls to your personal phone. You can set it up so the number on the caller id is the business phone number. Then you will be able tell if its a customer calling. Then set it up so the voicemail that comes with the number picks up before your personal voicemail does. Then customize the time when the phone should go strait to voicemail. Now you have a business number for $2 and a personal number all on one phone, easy to manage, and saves you money. No need to overpay for another phone or a business line.

yes complete your projects ,then open a e-bay account and list your items

Go to http://www.score.org/ to find the nearest SCORE chapter. In the upper left hand corner is a box to enter your zip code. Your nearest SCORE chapter will be on the next screen. Contact them to arrange for a free one on one meeting with a SCORE counselor about starting your online business.

SCORE is a nonprofit organization. They provide a public service by offering small business advice and training. .

SCORE's 10,500 volunteers have more than 600 business skills. Volunteers share their wisdom and lessons learned in business. The volunteers are working/retired business owners, executives and corporate leaders.

You first step is to understand what you are missing. A successful online business requires three things, technology, marketing, and operations. In your specific case, you need a Web site, a way to promote it (search engine submissions, advertising on other Web sites, etc.), and everything you have to have to actually make and deliver the invitations (desktop publishing software, a relationship with a commercial printer, an account with a shipping company, etc.) Assuming you are the operations, you need to acquire technology and marketing expertise by either learning them or hiring someone to do them for you.

I would start with a website. On this website you will need samples of your work...and a concrete way for people to contact you. Find other websites that offer what you want to offer, and copy them. That is the best idea.

eBay is a good place to search for your own web business. Type in "web site" or 'turnkey" ...look for the types that are 100% yours.
Also if you want to learn about business in general...you can search my site http://www.mycreditadvise.com

Good Luck,

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Research, research, research 鈥?this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Starting an Online Business For Dummies, 4th Edition by Greg Holden
* How to Start and Maintain A Successful Online Business by Kelly Thornton
* The Complete E-Commerce Book: Design, Build, and Maintain a Successful Web-Based Business by Janice Reynolds

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!