Can You Really Make Money on the Internet?
About 239 million websites existed as of December 2009, according to Pingdom.com. So, apparently the Internet is useful for something, and perhaps that includes making a living. While starting a business or selling items over the Internet likely won't make you rich overnight, the potential for building a small fortune can.
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E-commerce
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There's certainly money to be had online. E-commerce sales totaled more than $44 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. E-commerce accounted for only 4.3 percent of all sales in the fourth quarter, but the industry has growth on its side, as sales grew about $6 billion from the fourth quarter of 2009.
Competition
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One of the primary problems affecting new e-commerce businesses comes in the form of competition. There is even competition with brick-and-mortar stores, because if you have an actual store, people will likely notice your signs, banners and know that you exist. However, that isn't always the case with e-commerce. Existing companies that have solidified themselves as the go-to websites for certain categories, have often a stranglehold over the market. To emerge as a profitable e-commerce business, you may want to consider creating brand identity and offer features and options different from your competitors. If you're attempting to compete in a saturated market, the best option may be to find a niche.
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Going Alone
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There's good news if you don't want to start a business to make money online: you don't have to. The Internet is full of opportunities for individuals to earn money by completing projects for clients. Freelancing websites, for example, serve as outlets for writers, artists, programmers and graphic designers to find interested clients. You can also make money by creating your own website or blog and placing advertisements on each page. You will typically earn money from ads when someone visits your site or clicks on the ad, depending on the type of ads you're showcasing. If your website sees a lot of traffic, you can also opt to lure paying advertisers.
Knowledge
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To make money online, you must possess at least some kind of general knowledge about computers and the Internet. If you plan on focusing your efforts to obtain clients for freelancing projects, you won't need to acquire additional computer skills aside from the basics. However, if you plan on opening an e-commerce store or starting a website, knowledge about programming languages, such as PHP, HTML and CSS, and search engine optimization, SEO, is necessary. Although you can hire an individual or company to assist you with the construction of your website, the expense will cut into your bottom line and can cost $1,000 or more, as of 2011, depending on the size and complexity of the site.
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