You may have dreamed of starting an online business, or perhaps you already have. Often there is one overriding reason people start online businesses: to make money. Many people do it for passion, or from the desire to be their own boss, or simply because it sounds easy—but the intention behind starting any business is to make money. After all, you need to earn a living somehow!

There is a common conception that says making money with an online business is easy. After all, with billions of people using the Internet every day, how can you have an online business and not make money. But the truth is, online business is even more competitive than brick-and-mortar business—and it is because so many people are doing it. In order to succeed, you need a foundation and a solid plan.

Learn how at www.ButtCampAZ.com

What are the secrets to online business success? If there were such a thing, every ‘Netpreneur would be a millionaire by now. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to give yourself every chance at success. Even if you don’t end up a millionaire, you can still make a living through online business and finally leave your day job.

Communication is essential in any business. Therefore, the first thing you should concentrate on is the way you’ll communicate with customers. Simply put, this is your web site. Don’t expect to slap up a template web site with an affiliate URL and watch the business pour in. Get your own domain name, make your site professional-looking and easy to navigate, and ensure that your customers derive real value from a visit.

Once you have a web site (or even before you have a web site), you need a plan. Your plan might be “make $50,000 this year.” That’s fine, and it may even be a workable goal for your online business. However, you also need a definitive strategy to reach that $50,000 target. Do some research to determine which advertising strategies work and which don’t, and invest your money wisely. You also have to invest your time: one key to successful online business is a solid client network, and that can only be built one customer at a time.

Finally, make sure the products you’re offering are valuable to customers. If you don’t believe in what you’re selling, no one else will either. Your passion for your products will shine through in your marketing efforts, and you will attract and keep clients who truly enjoy your online business—and they, in turn, will tell others about it. Stand out from the online business crowd with professionalism, targeted marketing strategies, and an honest relationship with your customers, and you will go far. Then next year, you can double your profit goal!

About the Author:Drazga owns and operates dozens of profitable websites from her Anthem home, and produces events teaching people how to do the same. Her next event, the Internet Business Butt Camp, is February 25th in Phoenix. Get details at www.ButtCampAZ.com