How to Start a Home-Based Internet Business on a Budget

It Doesn't Have to Break the Bank

I’ve recently started a home-based business selling gift baskets over the internet. Ask anyone who has started any type of small business and they will tell you it is difficult at best- nearly impossible at worst. Money is usually the biggest obstacle one faces. You have the idea and have done the research to see if it is actually a viable plan (right?). If you haven’t done the research, do it now before you sink too much more of your hard to find capital into the venture. If it turns out to not be the money maker you thought it would be then you hopefully haven’t wasted a lot. It helps to have a nice college degree in business but there are those of us who were unable to go to college so we have to use common sense, research, and in my case, previous experience- my parents ran there own business for many years and it was a family business. 

If you are not experienced in bookkeeping, then a night course on the subject is a good idea, or at least a really good computer program and knowledge of how it works (again, you might have to take a course). An experienced and trusted accountant is also a good idea when your head is above water or if you absolutely cannot do the books yourself. An accountant will free up your time also to devote to the business or to some time away form the business. It isn’t healthy, after all, to spend 24/7 working your business. A fried brain is bad for everybody involved, I should know- weeks after building my own site I still down think straight half the time. Another really big advantage to using an accountant is that they handle the tax paperwork for you. A really good accountant will go with you in the event of an audit or send in the clarification paperwork needed if there is a tax question.