Many have been told that they can sign up for a few programs, build a website around them, add a bunch of banners and links onto their site, then sit back and watch money roll in and never have to work again.

There is a misconception that you can come online and set up an Internet based business and be making big money within a few days. This is absolute hogwash and it has not been my experience nor experience of anyone I have come in contact with through my online business activities.

The harsh reality is that there are more people who fail at their home businesses than there are people who actually succeed.

Newcomers to world of online home based business are not usually aware that they may actually have to work harder at their home businesses than they did at their traditional jobs. They are typically not aware of many hours of marketing time that they will need to put in to be successful.

Many people that are new to online marketing also make mistake of thinking that a single marketing strategy will suffice. Naturally, some avenues will produce better results than others, but I have found best course of action is to adopt a broad based approach to your online marketing by spreading your time and resources over several different methods.

Decorate It Some people design their home offices to be like a real world office. They take it that step too far though and strip their home office of all character and warmth. There's no need for your home office to be sterile and boring. In fact it should be just opposite.

Seriously consider adding plants. They're a healthy decoration in so many ways. The colour green has a positive affect on our thought patterns. This combined with fact that plants filter toxins from air around us is another great reason for having a "green" office.

Hate those motivational posters you saw in work? Do you know why? They never "spoke" to you as a person. They were just corporate spindoctoring that meant nothing to you. Choose one single motivational poster that speaks to you and put it somewhere you can always see it. Even if it only makes you smile once during a working day because it's cheesy that's a positive influence on you.

Last but not least consider having your mission statement printed out, framed and on your desk in front of you. You don't have a mission statement? Get one! Write it now!Your mission statement is reason you started your home business - make sure you are reminded of this every single day. It will push you forward when you need encouragement most.

Your Computer Stop. This is point where you need to be really, really honest with yourself. Computers are expensive and tempting. The question you need to ask yourself is "What do I need in my computer?" and not "What kind of computer do I want?"

Your home office does not *need* latest superfast, supercool computer, printer, scanner, digital camera and external storage.

You want this stuff. You don't necessarily need it.

Your business needs functionality. You business needs cost effectiveness. Buy what you need for your business. Do not buy what you want for yourself.

Tips for buying your home office computer.

* Mid-range processor power Ignore super poweful, super expensive next generation processors.They won't help you type that document any faster.

* 512MB of RAM This is a minimum. If you can afford 1GB get it. If you can afford more get it. More RAM is always better.