Best Home Online Business Opportunities 2012
Posted on March 10, 2012 by Lola Rotimi-Sosanya
In these tough economic times, we could use an extra source of income. Jobs are tough to come by and besides, who wants to deal with a demanding boss all day long? Owning your own business would solve all of these problems, but few of us can afford the start-up costs. However, there is a solution: You can work from home; and all you need is a computer, internet connection, and the right knowledge. Online business opportunities from home await you, if you can find the business idea that is right for you and your particular skill set. The idea is to choose something you are passionate about making sure 
there is demand for the product. Even if you have no experience, there are still home business opportunities available if you’re willing to put in the effort. You might be wondering where to begin – perhaps you’ve tried to think of a good business idea, but nothing comes to mind. You need to know what the profitable online home-based business ideas are. Read on to discover some more profitable types of online businesses out there today.
1. E-COMMERCE (Product-Based):
a. What is it?
This is a type of business that requires creating a website and selling products from that site. The purchase will take place entirely online. You are in charge of managing the products that are sold online.
b. What skills are required?
You will need to be internet-savvy to run this type of business. It will also help to know the basics of html coding, SEO (search engine optimization), and social media networking. You will need to specialize in website marketing and sales.
c. How can you make money?
You can make money through the sales of your products online.
d. Examples of sites in this business?
H &M, DSW Shoes and Firemountaingems.com
2. E-COMMERCE (Service Based):
a. What is it?
This is similar to product-based e-commerce, except in this case you will be providing a service online, such as photography or accounting.
b. What skills are required?
Just like with product-based e-commerce, you will need to have thorough knowledge of internet marketing and sales techniques.
c. How can you make money?
You can earn revenue through traffic to your site. You will need to make sure to use online marketing strategies to drive traffic, such as Facebook ads, Google adwords, search engine optimization and so on.
d. Examples of sites in this business?
Deloitte.com and Graytonplumbing.com
3. DROP SHIPPING:
a. What is it?
With drop shipping, you would contact a manufacturer, a company making or producing its goods, and offer to sell for them. You don’t see the actual product, but rather you sell the products online, and the manufacturer ships it out to the consumer. In other words, your website poses as the link between the manufacturers and the consumers. Once you get some regular clients, drop shipping is a great way to find steady work from home and get a regular source of income.
b. What skills are required?
Customer service and organizational skills will be important in the drop shipping industry.
c. How can you make money?
You would earn a percentage of sales whenever a purchase and delivery is made.
d. Examples of sites offering drop shipping business opportunities?
Doba, WholeSalersCatalog, WorldWideBrands.
4. MEMBERSHIP:
a. What is it?
With a membership site, you would create a community of members with benefits for becoming a member. Think of how you can create value for the members, such as free greeting cards online, free articles, events and so on. Of all home business opportunities, having a membership site can be one of the most profitable, if you can convince members to go beyond a free trial and pay for full membership.
b. What skills are required?
You will need to be able to provide valuable information to your audience for a selected niche.
c. How can you make money?
Your members will pay you through a weekly, monthly, or annual subscription.
d. Examples of sites in this business?
AngiesList.com, Match.com, BlueMountain.com.
5. ASSOCIATION:
a. What is it?
This involves creating an association for a group of people with similar interests to grow within an industry. A main requirement is that you might need to be accredited, especially if you are trying to position yourself as an expert.
b. What skills are required?
Accreditation may be required, depending on the industry.
c. How can you make money?
You could charge a monthly fee, sell tickets, hold special events, and so on.
d. Examples of sites in this business?
Online-Publisher.org, ACTEOnline.org, IOBA.org.
6. BLOGGING:
a. What is it?
Blogging involves writing value-added content for a specific audience.
b. What skills are required?
Writing, affiliate marketing, web marketing and social networking.
c. How can you make money?
Your blog could earn revenue if you utilize Google ad sense, affiliate marketing, ad paying sponsors, selling your ebook, or having monthly or weekly advertising fees.
d. Examples of sites in this business?
TMZ, TechCrunch, Gawker, Entrepreneur.com.
7. VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS AND FREELANCERS:
a. What is it?
Being a virtual assistant or freelancer is one of the best online home business opportunities. You can stay at home while providing service on a per project or regular basis to others.
b. What skills are required?
It depends on the industry. Programming, data entry and article writing are common examples.
c. How can you make money?
You would charge a fee for your completed projects.
d. Examples of sites in this business?
oDesk, ScriptLance, Elance.
Finding the right niche is key if you wish to pursue these online business opportunities. Home business opportunities allow you to work from home and be your own boss. I hope these ideas will benefit and help you make some needed income. Please comment below if you found this article interesting.
I am an internet entrepreneur and the founder and owner of Lola Ro Jewelry at www.lolarojewelry.com. I am a big optimist and an individual who never gives up. I have found that running a business can be challenging and rewarding. Follow me as you learn from other entrepreneurs and tips on how to run a small business. 
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The prospect of working from home has gained credibility over the years. Home offices can now compete with small commercial businesses and save on rent in the process. Faxes, high speed internet connections, dedicated home telephone lines, and cell phones help to make a home-based business a reality. Earlier home businesses had been where families lived on the second floor of their house while converting the first floor into a store, where upon close of business they would secure the first floor and retire to the upper floors. This type of home business is still done in some rural areas.^:.-
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Beginning and running a home business may be thrilling, but there’s a lot of challenges you must overcome first. Continue reading if you are seriously interested in starting your own business from home. Discuss your ideas with someone who knows about accounting as it relates to home-based businesses. He or she can help you start an account for your business, so you can get business checks, as well as business credit..-^.
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