Starting my own site. I am 45 and looking to make a home business?

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Starting an Online Business For Dummies, 4th Edition by Greg Holden

* How to Start and Maintain A Successful Online Business by Kelly Thornton

* The Complete E-Commerce Book: Design, Build, and Maintain a Successful Web-Based Business by Janice Reynolds

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

In the US a very large percent of ALL small business are run from the home . Retired people are a good resource. Get your phone book and look in there for ideas. If the local economy already has one such business chances are a second one will also suceed.There are exceptions. Dance schools generally considered no profit. The home daycare business is ideal since you already have 2 kids on board. Bookeeping services if you like accounting. Anything that can be done by telephone is good. I love E bay. E bay can be done for very little money up front. Sewing is "extra" money and not generally prfitable. You will be working 20 hour days for below minimum . People refuse fittings and won't pay you. mending clother and small alterations are more profitable and have set fees that customers know about. More money that custom work. hemming jeans 1 pair 12$ takes 7 minuites. Button 2$ 1 minuite. But dressmakeing? hours and hours and no wages! Among arts and crafts only jewelry is showing a profit in online businesses. Jewelry you can make at home. start with Dover Books old time book on jewelry makeing. (Tools: bench pin, jewelers saw, blades,drill, files, Just cut sheets of brass or silver and make intresting dangle earings, drill the holes, buff them and put in the wires , no solder! just simple hand tools artistic designs and skill , take picture sell on E bay. Easy) There are hazards that must be kept from kids though !!! > heavy metals,The copper in brass dust, asbestos, polishing dust ect. Ventilation a MUST. A respirator with easy flow solder.any craft with metals or VOC's. all this stuff cannot be in the house where you have kids, eat or sleep. out in the garage , a separate room far from food prep erea. Sell perfume . Talisman Perfume company ( sells Madini perfumes) and Attar Bazaar (2-A's) are two that do not require much start up. They are both in the USA. The telephone the computer both suggest an online business. Search > micro credit Best of luck to you sweetie!

One of the first things I would recommend that you do is start thinking about your interests/passions... and go into an internet business that is based on that. Why? Because it makes the work a lot easier.

Answering the following questions should help you develop ideas:

1) what websites do you visit when you're just surfing online?

2) do you have pets?

3) do you play and sports?

4) do you collect anythings?

5) do you have any specialized education?

See what I mean....

After that,you've got to decide the business model that you want to use - do you want to develop you own product or do you want to be an affiliate marketer (market other peoples products)?

Then you've got to learn basic skills such as building and uploading websites, setting up autoresponders, setting up a merchant account to take orders, etc.

And then, probably the most important part... you have got to learn how to market you business.

If your interested in starting up your own internet business, then I would like to recommend the following great resource:

http://www.affiliatemarketinglessons.com/internet_...

This program shows you, step-by-step, how to create a sucessful online busines. But, what is unique about this, is that the creator of the program also provides you with a special hotline, so that you have one-on-one assistance at anytime.

If your interested in affiliate marketing (marketing other people's products/services) then you'll want grab a copy of this book - http://www.affiliatemarketinglessons.com/superaffi...

If your interested in joining an existing internet business, then I would recommend SFI Marketing Group (http://affiliatemarketinglessons.com/SFI.html). I would recommend that you join this opportunity either way because 1) its Free and 2) you'll learn a lot through their training.

Anyways, I hope this helps... and I wish you much success.

For more information, you can try out the International Association of Home Business Entrepreneurs - http://www.affiliatemarketinglessons.com/iahbe.htm...

With respect to the type of site your thinking of start... the key is... find a way to make your site unique

Not trying to be rude but- if you want to make money answering questions like Dear Abby- then I think first of all you should try to remember that you do not know the person on a personal level. Some things you say can and do hurt people. For example- you answered a question about my dog and made me feel like you think I am the worst dog owner on this planet - and accused me on lying. I said I worked for a vet 10 (YES TEN) years ago and that by no means makes me an expert. I know when my dog is sick enough to go on to the vet (you should read my added info on my question please) Anyway, just try to remember that you should never ever make people feel bad for asking a question. I just wanted to get some ideas about what could be wrong and maybe a little peace of mind. She is going to the vet and I didn't need you to tell me that.

Like I said I'm not trying to be rude and you don't take emails so this is the only way I could get thru to you and maybe it will help you with this question also. Please try to have some compassion and understanding. Thank you for trying to help me!

It depends on the type of the web site you want to make. If you want just a static web site (contains html, pictures, and some client side scripts), I think this will not cost so much ..

If you are seeking a dynamic web site, with some e-commerce facilities, this would cost more .. first you should decide what type of web site you want, and this depends on your business type.

Hope this would be helpful!

To get started try an E-Bay Store

if you have no capital,you can start by following simple instructions at www.entrepreneur.co.nr but if you have your own goods to sell,just open a premeir or business at https://www.paypal.com/row/mrb/pal=UQSTA8TG96NNA free of charge,there you can install 'buy now' button in your website and get the money in your credit card instantly.