Someone called me other day and talked about how he is going to need to make some money soon and wanted to start up a web site. I explained that two concepts did not necessarily go together. My advice? Well, for what it’s worth, I would say forget everything you ever knew about brick and mortar businesses and start all over again.

A solid business plan for a web business is really going to elude you until you get in there and get your feet wet first. It ain’t that easy. There are a lot more people selling get rich quick packages than there are people getting rich. You must surf and read, surf and read, surf and read. After a few months figure out who does have some real business credibility and follow that person and links he or she connects to. Do something you know how to do and dissect it until you can find a niche. Starting a web business without basic knowledge of whatever business you pick is fool hardy at best. Don’t pay for information you can get for free. Those first months of surfing should give you some pretty good leads. Don’t go it alone. Find a friend, mentor or relative to bounce ideas off of. Be open to honest feedback. You know who will give you honest opinions and who will not. I love my relatives but we will never be in business together.