the startups.com platform about startups.comCheck out the new Startups.com - A Comprehensive Startup University
Education
Planning
Mentors
Funding
Customers
Assistants
Clarity
Categories
Business
Sales & Marketing
Funding
Product & Design
Technology
Skills & Management
Industries
Other
Business
Career Advice
Branding
Financial Consulting
Customer Engagement
Strategy
Sectors
Getting Started
Human Resources
Business Development
Legal
Other
Sales & Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Search Engine Optimization
Public Relations
Branding
Publishing
Inbound Marketing
Email Marketing
Copywriting
Growth Strategy
Search Engine Marketing
Sales & Lead Generation
Advertising
Other
Funding
Crowdfunding
Kickstarter
Venture Capital
Finance
Bootstrapping
Nonprofit
Other
Product & Design
Identity
User Experience
Lean Startup
Product Management
Metrics & Analytics
Other
Technology
WordPress
Software Development
Mobile
Ruby
CRM
Innovation
Cloud
Other
Skills & Management
Productivity
Entrepreneurship
Public Speaking
Leadership
Coaching
Other
Industries
SaaS
E-commerce
Education
Real Estate
Restaurant & Retail
Marketplaces
Nonprofit
Other
Dashboard
Browse Search
Answers
Calls
Inbox
Sign Up Log In

Loading...

Share Answer

Menu
Small Business: How can I start an online business?
OD
OD
Ozan Dagdeviren, Author, Startup mentor. Focus on people decisions. answered:

Hi,
The good thing about an online business is that it's location independent. However; the basics of building a business still apply.
These are the most important:
1. Good - growing businesses are the ones which solve a problem. e.g. I need organic eggs in my area, but can't get them.
2. The need / problem to be solved is shared by a large enough market. e.g. Those who need organic eggs delivered to their home are not 1% of the market for online shoppers but a decent chunk.
3. You design a solution, thinking MVP. (research what an MVP is if you are unfamiliar)
4. Test out in small groups, do customer interviews. i.e. validate your idea - confirm the market really responds to it.
5. Invest more of your time, energy, money to building.
6. Keep iterating.
7. Solve problems and focus on execution quality.
8. For all of these, you need to read and research obsessively around this topic.

Wish you the best of luck.

Talk to Ozan Upvote • Share
•••
Share Report

Answer URL

Share Question

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+
  • Share by email
About
  • How it Works
  • Success Stories
Experts
  • Become an Expert
  • Find an Expert
Answers
  • Ask a Question
  • Recent Answers
Support
  • Help
  • Terms of Service
Follow

the startups.com platform

Startups Education
Startup Planning
Access Mentors
Secure Funding
Reach Customers
Virtual Assistants

Copyright © 2025 Startups.com. All rights reserved.