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2 Oct 2000

Dear Dr. Ecommerce:

How do I start up my own internet company, and what are the advantages and disadvantages?

Minz

Dear Minz:

That depends on what kind of Internet company you want to start up. The first thing you need to do is learn the basics of setting up a business, this includes such things as bookkeeping, cash flow management, legal aspects, marketing etc. Fortunately, there are a lot of good books on this topic and I recommend you find one or two for your own country.

Secondly, you will need to research the kind of Internet company you want to set up. If you want to set up a simple online shop, investigate the various online marketplaces and electronic malls that host electronic shops. Check out their terms and contact other merchants using their service for feedback.

If you want to sell a service online, you will need to determine how best to sell the service. A lot of small service organisations use a model of giving away a lot of free content, such as reports, articles, statistics, etc, related to their services. This helps establish their expertise publicly. And makes it easier to sell their services.

With other businesses, you will need to explore your options. The best thing to do is search the Internet for similar companies and see how they are operating.

In any event, there are a vast and growing number of Internet companies out there and you will need to invest time and/or money to promote yours.

The disadvantages and advantages very much depend on the kind of Internet company you are planning to set up.

Finally, you will probably need to register your business. Check with your local government office on how to do this.

Good luck,

Dr. Ecommerce

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