For example, if you want a hardware business, identify best in town, open right next door, then jump in and beat those guys. If you can't manage this, don't open anywhere. Down block and around corner won't cut it. It will only take you longer to go broke.

You Must Beat The Competition Else Don't Compete

Many seem to feel that because Web is new, such a dynamic, yet-to-be-defined wilder beast, that even rules don't apply. And most who open an online business with such thinking, fail quickly.

Sure, Web is new. And it's dynamic. Exciting. All this and much, much more. But Law of Gravity has not been revoked. Nor have fundamental "laws" of business. Further, need for common sense seems constant.

Perhaps rule most often violated is to jump into middle of a highly competitive market. Open up to sell office supplies, and watch officedepot.com and staples.com shut you down within days. Sell books, and watch Amazon.Com destroy you. There is ...

A Better Way

'Niche Marketing' is key to minimizing competition. Offer sewing machine repair if you like. Most anything at all. But do not go head to head with giants. You'll lose.

Whatever product or service you choose to offer, it needs to be within a niche in which there is little or no competition. And you need to become top dog within this niche, at least over time. In doing so, you essentially eliminate competition. Or at least face none not easily beaten.

Finding niche just right for you is not hard or difficult to do. But it does take time. Think time mostly. That is, you need to ponder among options being considered. And doing so for a few moments throughout day over time works a bunch better than sitting at a desk seeking to force a decision.

Whether you are new to Web or looking for an alternative to a business you already have, here is ...

A Great Way To Start

Sit back in a comfy chair with brew of your choice in hand. Answer following questions just as quickly as you can. Don't give any one of them much thought. Just grab a note pad and pencil. Then scribble as rapidly as you can.

What Kinds Of People Do You Like To Be Around?

Go ahead. Describe them briefly on paper.

You're tired from working all day long and tired of having to watch every penny you spend. For millionth time, you wonder what it would be like to work from home and make good money while you're at it.

A lot of people understand and share these feelings. Unfortunately, it's all too easy to get caught in trap of expecting 'something for nothing' - you've worked hard, you've heard all good things about how people are getting rich on Internet ... isn't it YOUR turn? Heck, if OTHER people can do it, why can't you?

You can. Just don't fall into these common traps ...

__Looking for Easy Way Out__

Some people expend a great deal of time and effort looking for just 'right' opportunity, thinking that this one mythical and magical opportunity will instantly transform their lives.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING. Sure, there will be opportunities that suit your personality and skills more than others ... but ALL of them require hard work and staying power. None of them will make you rich by working only 3 hours a day, and none of them are 'automated cash machines'!

Forget endless and ultimately fruitless search for that one magical opportunity. Pick a good opportunity - or create one of your own - and then commit yourself to working hard. Instead of wasting effort *looking* for opportunities, put effort towards *building* one.

__Expecting Everything For Free__

'Why should I PAY for something when I can get it for free?' I've heard this so many times that phrase sometimes echoes in my dreams.

The Internet is an excellent source of free information, no doubt about that. When you're building a business, though, you can shave off MONTHS from your learning curve just by making a few smart investments.