Selling On Line ?

[ALAN GEDDES]

Can anyone tell me or point me in the right direction as to how you set up a one man small business on line ? I will be selling out of North Carolina.

[Gage]

Sorry Alan, can't help you on this subject, I just buy.

Have a good day.

[kartvines]

I know my answer is a no brainer but why not set up a eBay store. It would be a cheap way to start up a online business.

[Outlaw]

Alan, here's some information regarding North Carolina business http://www.commerce.state.nc.us/ You'll find information regarding setting up a small business in your state. I have a feeling NC will have laws similar to most other states. If YOU are the only employee, you can be a "sole proprietor" and claim your income under your social security number. Make certain if you're selling good or services, what sales tax (if any) needs to be collected and forwarded to NC.

Before you choose a business name and file through the state, make sure you consider a website name and verify it's availability before finalizing the details. If you know your local Senator or State Rep, stop in and say hello, they are there to help you with your questions. You may also want to consider having H&R Block help you with your taxes. If you start turning some serious numbers, hire a part time accountant. The beauty of this is that if you get audited, they meet the IRS with you.

Although I've been in business for a few years now, I don't consider myself a business expert by any means. The above info should get your started. In closing I'll leave you with one final thought - GO FOR IT!!!!!!!! Don't let friends or family discourage you pursuing your dreams.

[Ira]

I agree with the eBay idea. It's the easiest way to get all of that exposure, millions and millions of people.

It doesn't cost a lot at all to get started on eBay, but some sellers complain about their charges. However, when you look at how manypeople visit the site, the TV advertising they do, etc., they do a heck of a lot for you.

"Selling on eBay for Dummies" is a great place to start, but I also recently saw a show on PBS. They taped a seminar with people wanting to start eBay businesses, and they covered a lot of ground there.

I was considering doing the same thing one day, since it can be an at-home business.

[JunkMan]

Alan,

What exactly are you asking, how to leagally set up a business? How to go about selling online? Where to market your item?

Being a local business owner, and online seller, I can probably help you out, if I knew exactly what you were asking.

Depending on what you want to sell, there are several ways to do it. As has already been said, an ebay store is easy, but it is not the cheapest or necessarily the best route to go, it all depends on what you are trying to sell. I have been an ebay seller for about 9 years, and it works for some of the stuff I sell, and doesn't for other items.

When my wife was raising dogs (Jack Russell Terriers), we set up a web page to advertise them, and sold a few through it. We have sold several other items ( collectibles, food service equipment, etc.) through web pages that we have set up specifically for those items.

PM me, and I'll try to help you out.

[gman]

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