Site Builders, Hosts, and Coding - Oh My!

          So this week I narrowed down my business ideas and chose a host and site builder. Using Excel, our class was given a matrix of sorts to input our ideas and calculate all of the information we found on our topics from Google Analytic and Keyword Planner tools. Sometimes I don't think about that kind of information being out there - but it is.

          I compared three different sites: Yola, Webstarts, and Wix. Because I was brand new to this process, I didn't know too much about them at first - but then I figured out what I wanted and needed for my up-and-coming business and these three seemed to have a lot of great benefits like bandwidth, storage space, phone and online help etc.

          I started messing around with Webstarts, and ended up buying a ton of ad-on's that I'll need later on in my development. So I called their customer support staff and THEY BLEW ME AWAY! They were so thorough and made sure everything was handled, and better. Just because of that one experience, I'm a fan. Plus it has all these great features like credits to start advertising campaigns, free custom domain names, unlimited webpages, and was very search engine friendly.

          For my business readings, I finished The E Myth Revisited. The way that Michael Gerber re-engineered the way I thought about small businesses was truly impressive. His focus is to create a massive system that generates the results you want and then replicate it. From the vision to the manifestation, the advice and examples in it were very thorough. I don't think I've ever ear-marked a book so much. Gerber gave an example on page 180 that struck a cord with me. "...no longer interested in working in their business. They are now focused on developing a business that works." Basically creating a model of ideas, efficiency, and work - and then you have a business.

Week #2 Reflection

     This week I learned about drop-shipping and it basically opened a whole new world for me. First off, I had no clue what it was; secondly, knowing the companies and what to look for will really help me when it comes time to start a business. I think what is most appealing is the fact that you can order in small quantities and still get a good price, they handle the inventory, and they handle shipping. It's fantastic.

    Next week we'll be creating our websites. It's a little scary just because it's new - but I'm hoping to juice next week for all it has, because I have a feeling I'll need it again.

This week I also finished reading The E-Myth Revisited. What I'm learning most from this is that I need to set up a business that can be directly replicated and function all by itself. Entrepreneurs need to start by laying out the blue print and plans and filling in all the blanks. Once you start adding employees that fill in specific duties, then you slowly start "backing out" and letting the business run on its own.

Week One

         This week I had to learn how to identify correct business models and choose a start-up, online business. The most common is the merchant model where the company has a stockpile of products it wants to sell either with a brick-and-mortar, or a web store front. Selling ad space is a good idea if you can promote your website or store front to gain additional revenue and gain more exposure. 

         One of the most important things I've learned how to do this week is use the tools that Google has set up through ad-words and keyword planner. It's incredible the amount of information you can find out through internet searches. When it comes to my business though, I wonder if it's wise to start in something that's already competitive as far as the traffic goes, or try and create a new category (or product or service) and build demand and traffic through promotion and advertising. 

         This video helped me understand the information best:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-ToN1Tw7io

          I've been reading a few books to help me understand what I'm doing (or about to do). The One Minute Entrepreneur - The E Myth Revisited - Start-up Weekend - & Visionary Business. So far I've read the first two and the tidbits of wisdom that I'm absorbing is encouraging me to re-read them because I'm sure there's more in them that I've missed.